Chocolate-Cherry-Coconut Granola Bars

Ingredients

• 2.25 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup puffed rice cereal
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup dried tart cherries
• 2/3 cup honey
• 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Steps

1. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with a piece of parchment paper that is large enough to go up all sides of the pan.
2. Combine oats, rice cereal, coconut, almonds, and cherries in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
3. Combine honey, peanut butter, brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until brown sugar is melted; continue to simmer for 1 minute more. Pour heated mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to fully combine. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Pour granola into the prepared baking pan and press firmly with a nonstick spatula or lightly oiled hands to tightly compact and distribute evenly throughout.
5. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
6. Remove from the refrigerator and slice into 20 equal portions. Tightly wrap individually in plastic wrap or serve immediately.