Blueberry-Chia Seed Granola Bars (No Bake)

These chewy granola bars are absolutely delicous, very easy to make (20 minutes prep once you get the hang of it + chill time) and chock full of superfoods... coconut oil, local honey, almonds, chia seeds & blueberries to name a few. The dry ingredients can be played around with a bit as long as the wet/dry ratio stays the same.(Find out exactly why blueberries are good for the brain, and get a great recipe for a vegan/paleo Blueberry Cooler here.) As with all no-bake, coconut oil based granola bars, these will need to be kept pretty cold, near an ice pack. Otherwise, they will come apart easily (although they are still very tasty this way.) Simply sub butter for coconut oil for better travel!They are kid approved as you can see from these chubby hands that enter the scene...

(realizes she doesn't yet have the dexterity to nab two...)

Blueberry-Chia Seed Granola Bars

1.5 cups rolled oats, split
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup nut butter
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil (butter makes these hold together better for packing in lunches, etc.)
1/3 cup honey
1/2 tsp salt (omit if your nuts or nut butter are salted)
1 Tbsp chia seeds (or flax)
1/2 cup brown rice cereal
1/4 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 cup dried blueberries

Process 3/4 cup of the oats until they begin to get crumbly. Add the almonds to the food processor and pulse until the oats are quite crumbly and the almonds break down into small chunks.

Heat the peanut butter, butter (or coconut oil), honey and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat until the peanut butter melts and the mixture is very warm but not boiling. Meanwhile, combine the remaining dry ingredients (seeds, blueberries, rice cereal, remaining oats) in a separate bowl.

Remove the liquid mixture from heat and stir the dry ingredients into the wet until all are coated. Spoon the combined ingredients into an 8×8 glass pan and press down firmly (using, for example, the bottom of a glass or loaf pan) so that all the granola is very firmly and evenly packed. Refrigerate until the granola bars firm up (about 4 hours) or stick them in the freezer for about an hour if you need them sooner.

Slice up and enjoy! (Wrap individually in saran wrap to maintain crispiness or if taking them to go.)

(Also posted on Beyond the Peel’s Keep it Real Thursdays and The Nourishing Gourmet’s Pennywise Platter 5/24)