Peanut Butter Oat Crisp Bars

By Susan Arruda

YIELD:  15 bars or 30 squares

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cups crispy brown rice cereal
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup roughly chopped almonds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp. wheat germ
1 tbsp. flax seeds
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract  

PREPARATION: 

Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

Heat up the natural peanut butter and honey in a saucepan until ingredients are softened and well combined.  Remove from heat and add the pure vanilla extract.  Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and mix with a large mixing spoon to combine. 

Place the combined mixture in a 9’X13’ inch pan, lightly greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake at 325oF for 10 minutes on the center rack.
Let cool before cutting into 15 bars, 4 X 1-3/4 inches or 30 squares.