The Peanut Butter Granola Bars That Have A Permanent Home in My Fridge

… and in my bag, and on my nightstand (for the inevitable Type 1 Diabetic blood sugar lows). They are what I serve when I have a last minute guest at the studio or in my home, and they’re what I make for a friend after a surgery, a new baby or when they’re needing a little pick me up. (Which I learned after some enthusiasm, is particularly helpful as they often get a meal or baking, but might be lacking in an easy breakfast.)

This is a simple, one-bowl recipe made with only six good-for-you ingredients. They can be made with either natural peanut butter or almond butter, it’s your preference. I often use a mix of both.

PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS Makes 10 - 15 bars

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter)

• 1/3 cup honey

• 1 teaspoon good vanilla (Mexican if you have)

• 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats

• 1/3 cup flaxseed meal

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Line an 8”x8” pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the natural peanut butter, honey and vanilla. You might find that you need to warm up your peanut butter a little first to soften or thin out to mix more easily.

3. Add in the rolled oats, flaxseed meal and sea salt.

4. Mix well and press firmly into the pan. Fold over the extra parchment from your lining to help flatten and smooth out the mixture with your hands. (You can also dampen your fingers slightly with water to press firmly in order to keep the mixture from sticking to you.)

5. Chill for an hour or more. Then slice into bars (I like 15 smaller bars).

6. Keep refrigerated. They can be frozen too but they keep well in the fridge for a while!