Cranberry Pistachio Granola Bars

Recipe modified by Strive for Wellness^®

Servings: 16 squares

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned oats
¼ cup pistachios, roughly chopped
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 cup whole grain puffed rice cereal (unsweetened)
¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped
¼ cup creamy natural peanut butter or almond butter
¼ cup honey
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8 or 9×9 square pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. On a baking sheet (preferably with a rim) add oats, pumpkin seeds and flaxseed and combine until well mixed.
3. Place this mixture in the oven and bake for about 3 minutes. Then add pistachios and continue baking for an additional 2-3 minutes. Watch closely: The nuts will burn if overcooked!
4. Remove oat mixture from the oven and place in a large bowl.
5. Add cranberries and puffed rice cereal. Toss, and set aside.
6. Combine peanut butter, honey and vanilla in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, stirring until bubbles appear.
7. Remove from heat, and pour over oat mixture.
8. Stir with a spatula until well-combined, and transfer to the greased square pan, pressing with spatula until mixture is flat and even.
9. Refrigerate for about 45 minutes to an hour, until the bars are cool and firm. Cut the bars into squares, and store covered in the refrigerator.