1¼ cup mix-ins of choice (i.e. chopped walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc., raisins or other dried fruit, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.) (I used ½ cup pumpkin seeds, ½ cup dried cranberries, and ¼ cup ground flaxseed)
¾ cup natural peanut butter
½ cup honey
Instructions
Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
Mix the oats, crisped rice, hemp hearts, and your choice of mix-ins in a large mixing bowl.
In a small mixing bowl, mix honey and peanut butter together.
Pour peanut butter mixture over oat mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. This takes a few minutes but it will get there! I like to use a spatula and alternate between stirring and using the thin edge to slice into any clumps and break it apart.
Pour mixture into the baking dish and press evenly into the pan with the back of a spatula. Make sure to press firmly into an even layer so they stay together later when you cut them into bars. Pull up the edges of the parchment paper to create firm, compact edges to your bars.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to set.
Once set, cut into bars or squares.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Separate bars with wax or parchment paper so they don't stick together.
Notes
Hemp hearts (hemp seeds) are found in most grocery stores now. I see them everywhere, including Costco. And they'll definitely be at your local health food store. Store them in the fridge!
Recipe by Insightful Bite at https://www.insightfulbite.com/peanutbutterproteinbars/