I've gotta say - I'm a HUGE fan of granola bars. They're just too easy to grab and go when I'm running out the door and need a little energy boost. I'm however not a huge fan of the uber-processed ingredients that are lurking in many store-bought bars.

Enter, the no-bake bars of your DREAMS.

These little guys take just minutes to make, and you don't even have to turn the oven on. No cooking whatsoever - just measuring and mixing! You're welcome.

Plus, they're chock full o' healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. What's not to love?

Aside from all that good stuff - chocolate and peanut butter were made for each other. I feel really strongly about this. I've had friends tell me they disagree and I've had to seriously reevaluate our friendship and their sanity (I kid, I kid... kinda).

Full disclosure, I just got so excited thinking about these that I had to run to the fridge to grab one to avoid drowning myself in drool at my desk. Annnd now there's a little PB on my keyboard. Don't judge.

I mean, just look at them...

Okay, I can't even take it anymore - here's the recipe. JUST GO OUT AND MAKE THEM ALREADY, OKAY?!

Makes 8 rectangle-shaped bars, or 16 square-shaped bars

Ingredients: (Always organic, if possible!)

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dark chocolate, chopped
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 - 2/3 cup unsweetened peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
Pinch of Himalayan sea salt

Directions:

Mix together peanut butter + honey in a large bowl.
Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl before combining them with wet ingredients in large bowl (don't be afraid to get your hands dirty - it makes for better mixing).
Transfer to a shallow baking dish lined with foil and press down with fingers (choose size of dish based on how thick or thin you'd like your bars to be).
Sprinkle a little extra sea salt over the top, cover mixture with foil, and press down firmly with your fingers one last time.
Pop in the fridge for 4 - 5 hours, then cut into rectangles or squares, wrap with wax paper (it makes a nice wrapper to keep the bars separated in the fridge, and your fingers clean while eating!), and store in the fridge until you're ready for a snack.

Health Benefits:

Walnuts:

Anti-inflammatory
High in antioxidants
Reduces risk of cancer
Improves cardiovascular function
Supports bone health
Boosts energy
Reduces Metabolic Syndrome Issues
Improves cognitive function
Regulates sleep

Sunflower Seeds:

Anti-inflammatory
High in antioxidants
Calms nervesRelaxes muscles and blood vessels
Improves cardiovascular function
Lowers cholesterol
Reduces risk of cancer
Regulates blood pressure
Supports bone health
Boosts energy

Chia Seeds:

Anti-inflammatory
High in antioxidants
Boosts energy
Improves digestion
Stabilizes blood sugar
Improves metabolic health
Reduces risk of cancer
Supports bone health

Peanuts:

Anti-inflammatory
High in antioxidants
Improves cardiovascular function
Helps prevent gallstones
Boosts cognitive funtion
Reduces risk of cancer
Regulates blood pressure
Supports bone health
Boosts energy
Reduces risk of stroke

Raw Local Honey:

High antioxidants
Anti-inflammatory
Improves digestion
Helps to prevent seasonal allergies
Anti-bacterial
Anti-fingal
Anti-viral
Suppresses coughs

No-Bake Chocolate + Peanut Butter Granola Bars