Lightened Organic Superfood Granola Bars with Popped Quinoa

1.Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2.Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.

3.In a large mixing bowl, combine the organic oats, organic oat flour, popped quinoa, dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried blueberries, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, and chopped walnuts. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

4.In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, sea salt, and baking soda until smooth and well combined.

5.Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is thoroughly coated and combined.

6.Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, pressing it down firmly with a spatula or your hands to create an even layer.

7.Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. The bars will firm up as they cool.

8.Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and let them cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares or rectangles.