No bake nut free granola bar

NO-BAKE NUT-FREE GRANOLA BARS

An easy snack filled with indulgent chocolate and coconut flavors, but not loaded with sugar.

Author: Brenda @ Sugar-Free Mom

Recipe type: Snack

Serves: 16

INGREDIENTS

1 cup crispy brown rice cereal
3⁄4 cup rolled oats
1⁄2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1⁄4 cup ground flaxseeds
1⁄4 cup sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds, divided
2 packets powdered stevia or 1⁄2 tsp. pure stevia extract (I used about 35 drops of liquid stevia)
2 Tbsp. sugar-free chocolate chips, divided (I used 1 Tablespoon mini chips, divided)
⅓ cup coconut butter
⅓ cup creamed clover honey (I used brown rice syrup, which Brenda recommends as an alternative)
1⁄4 cup coconut oil1 tsp. vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the first 7 ingredients together in a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds and 1 tablespoon chocolate chips. Save the rest for topping the bars.Combine coconut butter, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla extract, and melt together in the microwave for 1 minute or over the stove on low heat until melted and stirred to combine. Pour wet ingredients into dry and combine well.Line an 8 × 8 baking dish with parchment paper that extends over the sides for easy grasping to remove later. Spray or grease the parchment. Spread mixture onto the parchment paper and level with a spatula. Sprinkle remaining pumpkin seeds and chocolate chips over the top and press into mixture.Refrigerate 30 minutes and then remove by holding the ends of the parchment paper and place onto a cutting board to slice. They do not need to be kept refrig- erated. Wrap individually for packing/storing. Good up to 1 week.