No-Bake Trail Mix Bars {vegan, gluten-free, less sugar}

Step 1

Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray or grease exposed sides.

Step 2

In a large bowl, stir together the peanut butter powder, milk, maple syrup, vanilla and salt until blended and smooth.

Step 3

Set aside HALF of the nuts/seed and 2 TABLESPOONS of the dried fruit; add the remaining nuts/seeds and dried fruit, as well as the oats and crisp grain cereal to the bowl. Stir until well blended (mixture will be stiff). Scrape dough into prepared pan.

Step 4

Loosely press dough into an even layer in pan. Evenly sprinkle with top of the dough with the chocolate chips, reserved nuts/seeds, and reserved fruit. Very firmly tamp mixture into pan (use a second loaf pan or a measuring cup to do this). Loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Step 5

Use paper liner to remove bars from pan. Cut crosswise into 7 equal bars.