Homemade Granola Bars

Ingredients:
2 cups raw oats
2 cups puffed rice
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 cups of "add ins"*
(dried fruit; carob chips; pretzels; nuts; seeds; etc)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup raw honey

Directions:
Put a thin coating of coconut oil in a 9x12 baking dish or pan of your choice.  Cut a 9x12 piece of parchment paper to press the mixture in the pan.

Place raw honey and coconut oil in a pan on the stove.  Heat on low until the two are melted together.  Stir well. Do not boil. Turn the stove off and let mixture sit while you are combining your other ingredients.

Place all the dry ingredients above in a large mixing bowl. Stir well.  Pour the honey/coconut oil mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until the ingredients are coated with the liquid.


Then spoon the mixture into the 9x12 pan and press it down with the parchment paper.  You can even use a rolling pan to press more evenly.  Place the pan in the refrigerator to allow it to chill.  Then cut and serve!  Store in the refrigerator.



Take time to EXPERIMENT with ingredients you have or prefer.  Replace the puffed rice with more oats or with barley oats.  You can even add a few tablespoons of cocoa or carob powder for a chocolate taste.  The more granola bars you make, the better you will become at developing the taste and consistency that is your preference!