Sticky Pretzel Cereal Bars
This is effectively a "no bake" bar, except for the fact that the oats get lightly browned in the oven before the mixing begins. What's important is to 1) Get the syrup good and hot before adding it to the cereal 2) Stir it together very quickly so that the syrup coats the dry bits before it starts to cool and 3 ) Press the mixture very firmly into the pan so the bars hold together well.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 ¾ cup “O” cereal, such as Barbara's or Cheerios
- 1 cup salted pretzel sticks
- ⅓ cup roasted peanuts or other chopped nuts (feel free to toss in a tablespoon of pepitas as part of the mix)
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup organic brown rice syrup (see notes)
- ¼ cup peanut butter (substitute another nut or seed butter, if desired)
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Spread oats in the bottom of an 8-inch-square baking pan and toast in the oven until fragrant and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
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While the oats brown, put the cereal, pretzel sticks, peanuts, and dried cranberries into a large bowl.
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Heat the brown rice syrup and peanut butter in a small bowl in the microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir well and pour over the cereal mix. Stir to blend completely. Add the chocolate chips and stir again.
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Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with enough parchment that it drapes over two sides. Transfer the cereal mixture to the pan and use your hands to press down on the mixture until it is one solid block that fills out the pan evenly. Put a piece of parchment between your hands and the bars to keep them from sticking as you press.
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Leave it to cool for 30 minutes. Lift the bars from the pan and cut into 25 small bars.
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Store in an air-tight container.
Recipe Notes
If you can't find brown rice syrup, you can use honey, though the bars won't stick together quite as well. You can also look for organic corn syrup.