Grain Free Granola Bars (GF)

The delicious bars are filled with nutty goodness without any grains. The perfect breakfast bite or pick-me-up snack!

Servings 16 bars

Add the nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews) to your food processor with an S-blade. Pulse a few times to break them into smaller pieces, but be careful to not overmix - you want it chunky with big and small bits.
Transfer the nuts to a large bowl and add in the flaxseeds, hemp seeds and any other add ins you chose (coconut, chocolate chips, dried fruit). Set Aside.
In your food processor, add the pitted Medjool dates (that have been soaked and drained) pulse until a thick paste forms.
Add in the peanut butter and maple syrup (or honey) and pulse until combined.
Add the date mixture to the bowl with the nuts and stir with a spatula until it all is combined well and sticks together.
Line an 8 x 8” pan with parchment paper with extra parchment hanging over each side. Pour in the granola mixture, fold the extra parchment paper over the top and press the mixture down firmly with your hands until it's evenly spread in the pan and packed tightly. I sometimes like to use a glass to really push it down and get a nice, even layer.
Place the pan in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours to firm up.
Remove the pan from the refrigerator and lift the parchment paper to remove the bars. Place on a cutting board and slice them up.
Enjoy one right away and store the remainder in an airtight container for up to a week.