Quinoa Granola Bars

2 cups quinoa flakes (or oats)
1 cup blanched almond meal
3/4 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup ground walnuts/cashews
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans (any type of nuts would work)
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup honey (local honey if possible)
3 Tbsp unsweetened apple sauce
2 tsp vanilla
sesame seeds for sprinkling (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9X13 pan with aluminum foil and oil the aluminum foil.

In a large bowl, stir together the quinoa flakes, almond meal, dates, ground walnuts, sea salt, cinnamon, and chopped nuts.

In a smaller bowl, combine the coconut oil, honey, applesauce and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and combine. Use a wet spatula to press the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle granola bars with desired amount of sesame seeds.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cook in the pan. Once cooled, remove the granola bars (still in foil) and cut into desired sizes. Refrigerate granola bars in an air-tight container or wrapped in saran wrap. These can easily be stored in the freezer for future use.

*I often use mini chocolate chip cookies instead of dried fruit. Also, when substituting oats,they don't tend to stick together as well.