Line 8 or 9’’ square pan with parchment paper, with some paper overhang.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl stir together oats, rice krispies cereal, and flaxseed.
Microwave Wet ingredients: Add butter, brown sugar and honey to a large microwave safe bowl and cook for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir mixture until butter has melted. Return to microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Carefully remove from microwave and stir in vanilla.
Combine: Drizzle mixture over dry ingredients, stirring gently until coated evenly. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour mixture into prepared pan, spreading into an even layer.
Press into pan: Place a small piece of parchment over the mixture (or use lightly greased hands) and press mixture firmly into the pan. This is important so they don't crumble when you cut them. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and press them gently onto the tops of the bars.
Refrigerate for about 1-2 hours before pulling up on the parchment paper to remove them from the pan and cut them.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for firmer bars or at room temperature for softer bars.
Video
Notes
Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt in with the butter and sugar mixture. You could also substitute coconut oil, but only cook for 2 minutes (total) in the microwave, instead of 2 1/2 minutes.Other Mix-Ins: add 1/2 cup total of chopped almonds, coconut, Craisins or other dried fruit.Make Ahead Instructions: homemade granola bars will keep in an air-tight container for up to 7 days. Store in the fridge for firmer bars, or at room temp for softer bars.Freezing Instructions: Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil (or wrap individual bars in parchment paper and store in a freezer safe bag) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.Gluten-free Adaptations: use gluten-free quick oats, and crispy rice cereal.