Healthy Muesli Bars

This recipe is based on the Oh She Glows recipe found here. Muesli Bars = Granola Bars. No one in the house liked them but me, however my house is full of junk food eaters!

Healthy Muesli Bars

Ingredients

1.5 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium/large bananas)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups rolled GF oats (I used Bob Red Mill)
1/2-3/4 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pepita seeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt or fine grain sea salt


Method

Preheat the oven to 350F/180C.
Lightly grease a large rectangular baking dish (approx. 8.5" x 12.5") and line with a piece of parchment paper so the bars are easier to lift out.
In a large bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
Place the rolled oats into a food processor (or blender on the lowest speed) and pulse until the oats are coarsely chopped (but still with lots of texture).
Stir oats into the banana mixture.

Chop the walnuts and cherries and stir these and the rest of the ingredients into the banana-oat mixture until thoroughly combined.

Spoon mixture into prepared dish.
Press down until compacted and smooth out with hands until even. Use a pastry roller to smooth out if desired.

Bake for 25 minutes until firm and lightly golden along the edge.
Place dish on a cooling rack for 10 minutes then carefully slide a knife to loosen the ends and lift out. Place granola slab on a cooling rack for 10 minutes and then into the freezer for another 10 mins.
Slice into bars once they are cool.