Fruity Oat Bars

These bars are a smorgasbord of oats, seeds and dried fruit. Perfect for packing in lunches or picnics — these treats taste great night or day!

Here’s what you need:

• 3 cups oats
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 3 Tablespoons flax meal
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup brown rice syrup
• 1/4 cup barley malt syrup
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds, 2 Tbl reserved
• 1/2 cup pepitas, 2 Tbl reserved
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 2 Tbl reserved
• 1 cup chopped dried fruit medley

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, wheat germ, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the orange juice, flax, vanilla, oil, brown rice syrup and barley malt syrup until fully incorporated.
3. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together, then add the sesame seeds, pepitas, cranberries and dried fruit. Press the mixture into the pan, press down evenly. Sprinkle the reserved seeds and cranberries on top of the mixture and press down firmly.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, until golden. Allow to cool for 40 minutes before cutting.

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