2 cups rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup rice crispies (brown, white, or gluten-free)
3/4 cup oat flour, or process oats in a blender to make your own (110g)
1/4 cup melted coconut or vegetable oil (or nut butter) (45g)
1/2 cup raw agave or honey
1/4 cup brown sugar OR 1/8 tsp pure stevia
1/4 cup applesauce or mashed banana
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Line an 8-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside. If you wish to bake the bars, preheat oven to 350 F. Stir together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk liquid ingredients together in a separate bowl, then stir wet into dry. Transfer to the prepared pan. Smooth down firmly, using a second sheet of parchment or wax paper. Press down as hard as you can. For no-bake healthy granola bars, chill until firm. (The no-bake option is also firmer if you use coconut oil.) For baked granola bars, cook on the center rack 18 minutes, then press down firmly again. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Variations:
Chocolate Chip Granola Bars: Stir 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips in with the dry ingredients.
Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars: Stir 1/2 cup chopped raisins and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in with the dry ingredients.
Vanilla Almond Granola Bars: Stir 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds in with the dry ingredients, and add a few drops pure almond extract to the liquid ingredients.
Trail Mix Granola Bars: Stir 1/4 cup each chia seeds, shredded coconut, and chopped, dried cranberries in with the dry ingredients.
Peanut Butter Cookie Granola Bars: Replace the oil with 1/4 cup peanut butter or nut butter of choice.