Vegan Granola Bars

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 cup raisins

2. 1 1⁄2 cups rolled oats

3. 1 chopped raw almonds

4. 1 banana

5. 1⁄4 cup unsalted natural peanut butter 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

6. 1 pinch salt

7. 1 tablespoon water (*Optional)

Directions

1. Line a square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside. Place raisins in a food processor; pulse into a paste.

2. Transfer raisin paste to a large bowl. Add oats and almonds to raisin paste. Stir, and set the bowl aside.

3. Place banana in the food processor; blend into a puree.

4. Combine 1/4 cup banana puree, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through. *Add 1 tbsp water if the mixture seems too thick.

5. Pour banana mixture into the bowl with the raisin mixture. Mix with your hands until combined. Press banana-raisin mixture into the parchment-lined baking dish.
   Brush remaining banana puree on top. Cover with plastic wrap.
   Chill until firm, 8 hours to overnight.

6. Cut into squares.

Notes:
Use black or golden raisins, as preferred.
Use another unsalted nut butter in place of the peanut butter, if desired.