Perfect Pumpkin Seed & Cranberry Granola Bars

Yep,, I said it.

These bars are perfect…and I wholeheartedly believe that.

What makes them even better is that I made them solely out of things I had laying around in my pantry. Fall season indictaes another seasonal activity for me….moving.

So in a few weeks when I move, again, for the third time in two years, I go through my typical downsizing, throwing away and general cleansing of all my kitchen supplies and appliances. Not wanting any food to go to waste, I tend to whip up together meals based on what’s in my pantry at the time. These bars wiped out a lingering stash of oats, puffed millet, shredded coconut and some nuts/seeds that are dwindling down. And I was shocked that these ended up coming together so beautifully. Sometimes I get bars that come out too dry or don’t bind well. Not so with these babies! I was thrilled with the results. It ALMOST makes the packing process fun 🙂

2 cups gluten-free oats

2 cups puffed millet

1 cup chopped cranberries

2/3 cup pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup organic brown rice syrup

1/3 cup organic peanut butter

1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips

1/4 cup shredded coconut

2 tbsp hemp seeds

2 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp pure vanilla

1/2 tsp sea salt

• Stir together oats, millet, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, coconut and sea salt
• In a small saucepan, heat brown rice syrup and peanut butter over medium heat and stir for 5 minutes or until thickened
• Remove from heat, add vanilla and pour over oat mixture until well incorporated
• Stir in hemp and chia and mix well
• Press into a parchment lined baking sheet and let cool for a few minutes
• Press chocolate chips into bars and let sit in the freezer for 30 minutes