Quinoa Granola Bars

I stumbled across this recipe this morning, and LOVE how these granola bars turn out (after a few tweaks)

The perk is that these tasty granola bars are made with all natural products - quinoa, oats, peanut butter, honey, coconut, coconut oil, and nuts and fruits of one's choosing.  Nothing that I can't pronounce, and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

I don't feel guilty giving them to my kids to snack on, and know they'll get lots of energy from these yummy bars. 

1 C. uncooked quinoa

1 C. uncooked oats

1/2 C. coconut

1 C. combination of your favorite dried fruits & nuts

(think dates, raisins, blueberries, cranberries, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, peanuts etc)

1/4 t. salt

2 T. chia seeds

3/4 C. honey

1/2 C. peanut butter

3 T. brown sugar

1.5 T. coconut oil

Preheat oven to 350, and spread uncooked quinoa and oats on a cookie sheet.  Toast for 8-10 minutes. 

Place in a large bowl, and add coconut, 1 cup of any combination of chopped dates/craisins/raisins/walnuts/almonds/pecans etc. of your preference (I used walnuts, craisins, and raisins), and chia.

In a small saucepan, combine salt, honey, peanut butter, coconut oil, and brown sugar. 

Bring to a boil. Immediately remove from heat as it begins to boil.

Pour over oats mixture and mix until dry ingredients are completely coated.  

Press into greased 9x13 pan, and bake for 20 minutes.

Let cool for up to 2 hours, then cut for serving. 

If desired, mix 1 cup melted semi sweet chocolate chips with 1 Tablespoon coconut oil.

Dip cut granola bars into chocolate mixture, then place on parchment paper until hardened. 

Wrap individually, and store in cool, dry place. 

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