No-Bake Banana, Nut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars

I want to share one of my favorite, newer recipes. I add chia and make this gluten free with the type of cereal flakes I incorporate. It's super quick and easy to make and it's a healthy go to for folks on the go and parents.

Fast and easy snacks are a must for any parent or busy adult.  In these times, it's super important to have great nutrition especially a raw, non-bake recipe that is easily frozen with good, natural - balanced ingredients.

Banana, Peanut Butter Chocolate No-Bake Granola Bars
Makes 12

• 2 large overripe bananas
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup crunchy cereal (oats, puffed rice cereal )
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup(or any other sweetener you use)
• 2 tbsp peanut butter or other nut or seed butter
• 2 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp dried cranberries or other fruit
• 2 – 4 tsp cocoa powder
• (OPTIONAL- add 1 tbsp chia seeds for extra protein kick)

Line a muffin pan with paper liners, or use a silicone muffin pan for easy removal.  Mash the bananas.  Add wet ingredients and cocoa powder and mix well.  Add all other ingredients, mix well then press into prepared muffin tin.  Freeze at least 60 minutes before serving.
You can eat these while they’re still soft or you can keep them in the freezer for easy snacks.  We also use a homemade cereal that stays crunchy but use whatever you have.  I’ve even used toasted buckwheat before and it works really well and stays crunchy.