Honey Oat Granola Bars

Jana here with a new snack recipe that your family will love!  My husband and I like to work on new recipes together sometimes, and enjoy making things together in the kitchen. (such as Slow Cooker Applesauce and baking your own pumpkin!)  Once in awhile, he will get an idea of a food he would like to make, and he starts a 'kitchen experiment'!  His creations are always yummy, and I'm so glad he likes to create in the kitchen too!  This recipe will make approximately 30 bars, and they freeze well!  If you cut them into 30 bars, each bar will be approximately 115 calories.  If you have frozen the granola bars, and want to pull them out to eat soon after, I recommend putting them in the microwave for a few seconds to quickly soften them.

Honey Oat Granola Bars

4 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sunflower kernels (I prefer unsalted)
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cup butter or coconut oil, melted
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*Variation options include 1/2 cup baking chips, or other nuts to supplement or replace sunflower seeds. (up to 1 cup nuts)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, sunflower kernels, and cinnamon.  Stir in the butter, honey, and vanilla until well combined.  (Mixture will be crumbly)  Press into a greased, parchment paper lined baking sheet. (approximately 15 in x 10 in x 1 in)

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until granola is becoming lightly browned and bubbly.  Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack, then cut into bars. Cool completely before removing from pan.

Enjoy!