Grown-up Granola Bars

My first attempt at making granola bars, ever! Why would someone EVER buy them? You'll wonder that after you try this recipe.

1 1/2 Cups of oatmeal
1 Cup of dates
3/4 Cups of slivered almonds
1/4 Cup  sunflower seeds
2/3 Cup natural peanut butter
1/4 Cup of liquid honey
1/2 Tsp of cinnamon

If you have a food processor you'll save yourself some sticky fingers. I hand chopped the dates to almost a minced size.

In a dry bowl combine: oatmeal, add cinnamon (give it a mix)

I roasted the seeds and almonds for 5 minutes at 350.

And add chopped dates - give it a mix again!

In a saucepan: heat peanut butter and honey at a low heat.The flavour here brought back some childhood memories of peanut butter and honey on toast for me!

Combine wet and dry ingredients. I had to roll up my sleeves and use my hands to completely combine and you may find that you'll have to add a bit more peanut butter to coat - so more is less here!

Press down in a square dish and cover with cling wrap. Put in the freezer for 20 minutes before cutting.

I've heard stories about homemade granola bars being crumbly - I can see how that could happen, you really have to coat everything so next round I think I will add a bit more wet ingredients.

Credit must go to the Minimalist Baker blog i've mentioned for the inspiration from their 5 Ingredient Granola bar recipes.