No-Bake Coconut Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup crisp brown rice cereal
• 1 cup puffed millet
• 1 cup sliced or slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup unflavored protein powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 tablespoons ground flax
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 cup roasted almond butter
• 1/2 cup brown rice syrup
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• Optional: dried tart cherries, mini chocolate chips-to your taste

Directions:

1. Line a 9X13" baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, brown rice cereal, puffed millet, almonds, protein powder, unsweetened coconut, and ground flax.
3. In a medium pot over low heat, melt the coconut oil. Stir in the almond butter, brown rice syrup, and vanilla.
4. pour wet mixture over dry and stir well until thoroughly combined. Add optional ingredients (if you are using chocolate chips, they will be added later), and a pinch of salt and stir again.
5. Spoon mixture into the pan and spread out. If using, sprinkle on the chocolate chips (about 3 TBS). Wet hands and the bottom of a drinking glass and press the mixture in firmly until even, re-wetting hands and glass as needed. You will want to pack it in really tight so they hold together better.
6. Transfer pan to the freezer for at least 10 minutes, slice into bars and store in the freezer or refrigerator.