We are just a little really fond of Chewy Granola Bars but the only problem is almost all recipes call for corn-syrup and, whenever possible, I try to avoid  using/eating it. After many failed recipes and quite a bit of searching, I finally came up with the perfect combination of salty-sweet-chewiness that my entire family loves! AND to make the deal sweeter, these Chewy Granola Bars are NATURALLY GLUTEN FREE!! :) We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!!

Yields 1 9×13 (about 16 bars!)

• 4 cups quick cooking oats (or pulse whole oats in a food processor a bit)
• 2 C rice crispy cereal
• 1/2 C shredded coconut
• 1/2 C butter
• 1/2 C honey
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 C creamy peanut butter (optional)
• 3/4 C chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, cereal and coconut. Add peanut butter(optional) to the top and set aside!  Set a small saucepan over medium high heat and melt the butter.  Add the honey, brown sugar and salt.  Stir together then leave it alone as it comes to a boil.  Once the boil has reached all the way around the edges of the pan, begin timing(this is where your iphone will come in handy ;)!  Allow this mixture to boil for 2 minutes and 20 seconds.  During this time, you may need to turn the heat down a bit so it doesn’t overflow, but be sure it keeps boiling.
2. Add the vanilla and then pour the mixture over the oats, using a rubber spatula to get all the sugar mixture out of the pan.  Mix the ingredients together until the oats are completely coated.  Add in chocolate chips(and any other mix-ins you would like) then press very firmly into parchment lined 9×13″ pan! Place them in the freezer for 20 minutes then cut to size.
3. ENJOY!!

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35