Nut bars

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Here's a simple and healthy recipe for homemade nut bars that you can customize with your favorite nuts and seeds!

Mixed nuts: 2 cups (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts), roughly chopped
Seeds: 1/2 cup (e.g., sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds)
Oats: 1 cup (rolled oats or quick oats)
Nut butter: 1/2 cup (e.g., almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter)
Honey or maple syrup: 1/3 cup (for sweetness)
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
Optional add-ins: dried fruits (like cranberries or apricots), dark chocolate chips, or spices (like cinnamon)

Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal, or lightly grease the dish.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped nuts, seeds, oats, and any optional add-ins (like dried fruits or chocolate chips).
Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, mix together the nut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
Combine All Ingredients:
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined. It should be sticky but hold together.
Press into the Baking Dish:
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon or your hands.
Chill and Set:
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 1-2 hours, or until they are firm enough to cut.
Cut and Serve:
- Once set, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment overhang and cut them into squares or rectangles. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Feel free to customize the nuts and seeds based on your preferences or dietary restrictions.
For a sweeter taste, you can add more honey or maple syrup, or even some protein powder for added nutrition.
If you want a chewier texture, consider adding more nut butter.

Enjoy your homemade nut bars! If you have any questions or need variations, just let me know!