Cereal Bars

Cereal bars, also known as granola bars or snack bars, are a convenient and portable snack made from a combination of cereal, nuts, dried fruits, sweeteners, and binders. They are a popular on-the-go option and can be customized with various ingredients to suit individual preferences.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups of rolled oats
• 1 cup of crispy rice cereal
• ½ cup of honey or maple syrup
• ½ cup of nut butter (such as peanut butter or almond butter)
• ½ cup of chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, or cashews)
• ½ cup of dried fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Optional: chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or other desired mix-ins

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, crispy rice cereal, chopped nuts, and dried fruits. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the honey or maple syrup and nut butter over low heat until melted and well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Pour the honey or maple syrup mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until everything is coated and well mixed. If desired, add any optional mix-ins at this point.
4. Transfer the mixture into a lined baking dish or pan, pressing it down firmly and evenly.
5. Place the dish in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until the mixture is set and firm.
6. Once chilled and firm, remove the mixture from the dish and cut it into bars or squares of your desired size.
7. Individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container for later consumption.

You can get creative with your cereal bars by experimenting with different combinations of ingredients. Feel free to add chocolate chips, shredded coconut, seeds, or spices like cinnamon for added flavor. You can also adjust the sweetness level by increasing or decreasing the amount of honey or maple syrup. Enjoy your homemade cereal bars as a quick and nutritious snack anytime!