Nut-Free Granola Bars

By tinathorn

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, chopped
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds, chopped
• 1/4 cup flax seeds
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (fresh grated if you have it)
• 1 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup dried fruit (I used cherries and raisins) chopped
• 1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Spread the oats, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds on a cookie sheet and toast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile combine the honey and butter over medium heat. Add the vanilla.

Grease a 9 x 13” baking dish well. Turn oven to 350 degrees. Combine the oat and butter mixtures in a bowl. Fold in the fruit and coconut, and then sprinkle in the salt. Press into the prepared baking sheet. Then evenly distribute the chocolate and press into the oats. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the granola starts to turn golden brown on the edges.

Remove from oven. Cool completely–6 hours or more–and cut into large squares.