Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Granola Bars

Need a quick pick me up snack? Try a cranberry pumpkin seed granola bar! They are nutty, sweet, and the best part is they are easy to make and have super basic ingredients. If you are in need of a quick and easy breakfast idea, that's great for on the go, try making these granola bars. They do not disappoint.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 
• 1/2 cup honey (or a bit less) 
• 1 tablespoon canola oil  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 3/4 cup chex mix (broken into pieces) or puffed rice cereal 
• 3/4 cup rolled oats 
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries 
• 1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds  
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  

Directions:

In a microwave safe dish combine the peanut butter, honey, and oil. Microwave on high for 30 seconds or until the ingredients are melted. Add vanilla, stir, and let sit a for few minutes to cool. In a large bowl combine chex mix/puffed rice, oats, flax, cinnamon, salt, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until all ingredients are evenly moistened. Add chocolate chips and stir. Line an 8x8 pan with wax paper or foil and spray with canola oil. Leave foil/wax paper hanging over the edge of the pan like handles. Pour granola into the pan and press down firmly with a spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight- until the mixture hardens a bit. Remove bars from the pan using the handles and cut into rectangles with a sharp knife. Store bars in fridge or freezer.  

Enjoy!