Granola Power Bar - Plant Based Fuel On The Go

When we go on travel I love to bring ready to eat food that is makes you feel great. We recently visited the ancient site of Palenque in Mexico for our 5th wedding anniversary and I wanted to bring us some plant based fuel on the go to get us up those pyramids. I carefully thought of each ingredient and how it would provide energy, protein, carbs and how they would then taste together and most of all hold together. I took an old recipe and created a new one, boom! Granola Power Bars were born! Oats, protein rich amaranth and peanut butter, sweet raisins, cranberries and dates offer a natural sweetener offset with cinnamon and salt. No refined sugars or syrups, no oil or animal products may be found, only Mother Earth's finest natural plant based ingredients. These bars taste amazing, hold together well, even when not refrigerated for up to one week, they wrap well individually for those busy moments in life and freeze well. My husband and I are huge fans, I hope you are all too!! With lots of Love & Light, Christa 

Plant Based Ingredients:
1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter
1 tsp Cinnamon (opt)
1 1/2 Cups Oats (Certified Gluten-Free if needed) 
1/2 Cup Puffed Amaranth (or favorite granola/cereal)
1/2 Cup Cashew (or favorite nut/seed)
1/2 tsp Sea Salt 
20 Big Medjool dates
1/2 cup Purified Water 
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla 
1/2 Cup Raisins
1/4 Cup Cranberries

Peaceful Preparation: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, or dust with flour. An 8x8 would also be great!
2. Heat the natural peanut butter on the stove until smooth and creamy, 3-5 minutes. Or make homemade (recipe here) and it will be warm and creamy. 
3. Add the peanut butter, dates and water (use hot water if dates are not soft) and blend until thick and creamy. 
4. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients less the dried fruit [oats, puffed amaranth, cashews, salt] add the blended mixture, fold in goodies (raisins, cranberries, feel free to add chocolate chips, coconut flakes etc.)
5. Place on prepared pan or sheet, press into rectangular shape. Using a piece of parchment paper to press into the bars firmly so they are packed, this will help them stick together. 
6. Bake 350 degrees for 25-35 min until edges are golden. Cool for 15 + minutes, slice and enjoy. Makes 18 bars. Once cooled completely wrap individually for on-the-go bars, leave on counter, place in fridge or freezer. They'll last on travel conditions in a sealed container for 1 week, then freeze. Tested on travel and they hold up incredibly well and are very satisfying! 

Adapted from on of my recipes on this site! http://www.artisticvegan.com/blog/vegola-granola-bars