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 45-60 minutes to an hour, until the bars are cool and firm. Cut the bars into squares, and store covered in the refrigerator.