Homemade Gluten Free Granola Bars

These were a huge success in my household! I'm always worried how the kids will respond to new recipes but there is no question about it that they loved this one! This is a great guideline recipe and there are so many options to modify it to your liking and/or dietary needs. I personally used gluten free products and as many organic products as I could. Here is the recipe:

4 cups          Rice Cereal, crisp
1 cup           100% natural, crunchy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups    Honey
2 2/3 cups    Old Fashioned Oats
1/2 cup        Chocolate Chips, mini
1/4 tsp         Sea Salt, fine
1/2 cup        Sugar or Brown Sugar, raw
2 tsp            Vanilla extract
1/3 cup        Coconut Oil
2/3 cup        Ground Flax Seed

In a large bowl, combine Rice Cereal, Oats and Ground Flax Seed and set aside. In a medium sauce pan, combine the Honey, Sugar, Salt and Coconut oil over medium heat until it starts to boil. Stir consistently while boiling for at least 1 minute, until all sugar is dissolved.
Remove pan from heat and add the Crunchy Peanut Butter and Vanilla until melted. Pour over the dry mixture and combine. Let this mixture start to cool while you get the large cookie sheet (12.5 x 17.5 x 1) or jelly roll pan ready. I recommend cutting and placing a sheet of parchment paper on bottom of tray to prevent sticking and for easy removal. Pour the mixture onto the tray and spread evenly. Once it is cool enough that the chocolate chips won't melt on contact, spread them evenly across the mixture. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of granola mix and press the bottom of another tray down on top to flatten the granola into a solid sheet. Remove top paper. Let cool completely then cut into preferred sized bars. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a ziplock bag. Keep in the refrigerator or freezer. These taste best if you leave them sit a few hours before eating.

I will definitely be making these again! Maybe using dried blueberries instead of the chocolate next time!

I hope you try these recipes and enjoy them as much as I do! I've already started buying some products to make my next homemade items including some laundry detergent and bug spray and hope to have some good advice on how they work for you soon!