Healthy Granola bars

These are so good and good for you too! I make these all the time and freeze them for a healthy treat! These have lots of fiber and protein. I like to put one of these in my bowl of ice cream when I have it. It makes me not feel as guilty about eating ice cream since I'm getting something healthy in there too!!

2 C. old fashioned oats

1/2 C. flax seed milled( you can usually find this by the cereal)

1/4 C. quinoa(you can find this by the gluten free stuff at wal-mart. At Winco you can find it in the bins, which is so nice.

3/4 C. shelled sunflower seeds(not salted)

1 C. chopped nuts(any kind)

1 C. shredded coconut

1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon(desired amount)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 C. brown sugar or agave nectar( agave is healthier, because it's natural)

1/2 C. honey

2 tsp. molasses

4 T. butter( I only did 2)

2 tsp vanilla

4 T. peanut butter( best if it's all natural)

1 C. dried fruit(optional)

chocolate chips(optional)

1. Mix first 8 ingredients together and place on a rimmed cookie sheet. Toast in oven at 400 degrees for about 12 min. Stir and let cool at least 15 min.

2. Bring next 4 ingredients to a simmer, stirring continuously. Stir in the vanilla and peanut butter and cool for 2-3 min, stirring occasionally.

3. Put the toasted ingredients and dried fruit in a large bowl and pour the liquid ingredients over it. Mix very well.

4. Place parchment or wax paper in the rimmed baking sheet and butter the top side, then place the granola bar mixture into the pan. Then sprinkle chocolate chips if desired. Put another buttered sheet of paper, buttered side down, on top of the mixture and press down. Roll with a rolling pin to make it very tight, smooth, and even.

5. Let set for 2-3 hrs. and cut into desired bar size. Makes about 20-24 bars. I put them in freezer Ziploc bags and freeze them. These are so fast and easy to make. I know it looks like a lot of ingredients, but it's so simple once you get started.