No Bake Rock n' Rollerbars (Granola Bars

I’ve been making these bars for about a decade and they have become a summer go-to for portable, nutritious meal/snack and they are fun to share with friends! We dubbed them Rock n’ Rollerbars because of their popularity among my husbands band mates pre or post gig! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavored extracts, nuts, dried fruits or types of rolled grains!  They will be loved by adults and kids alike! The possibilities are endless.

2 cups Whole Rolled Oats

2 Cups Instant Oats

1 cup unsweetened peanut butter

1/2 - 3/4 cup brown rice syrup

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup organic raisins

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vietnamese cinnamon

1/3 cup mini vegan chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer (start with 1/2 cup brown rice syrup and work up depending on the consistency) and mix well. Check the consistency and add more brown rice syrup if it needs more ‘stick’. You should be able to roll a small firm ball when the mix is the right consistency. Press the mixture into a 12x9 parchment paper lined pan.
Place another piece of parchment on top and press the mixture firmly into the dish
until evenly spread (I used a rolling pin or I place an equally sized pan on top and press, this is a super important step so that the mix is firmly compacted and will maintain its shape when cut into bars). Refrigerate for 2 hrs and cut into bars. Wrap with parchment and tie with string! Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

*Alternately you could roll the mix into snack size balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge!

* try these special concoctions!

Ginger Snap: substitute Barley Malt or Molasses for 1/3 of the brown rice syrup and add 1 - 2 tsp ground ginger
Ginger - Almond : substitute dried fruit for crystalized ginger and peanut butter
                               for almond butter
Pistachio- Cherry : substitute raisins for cherries and almonds for pistachios
Pineapple - Cashew : substitute dried pineapple for raisins & cashews butter for peanut butter