Cherry Hazelnut Granola Bars

There are generally two sides to the granola bar debate: Chewy or Crunchy.

I love crunchy granola in a parfait or to eat with some milk poured over it, but I am not a big fan of chowing down on a crunchy granola bar by itself.  Give me a chewy granola bar any day though!

These bars are soft, chewy, chocolatey and full of delicious tart cherries, oats, rice cereal and toasted quinoa.  Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up!

Cherry Hazelnut Granola Bars

Ingredients:

2 1/2 c. puffed rice cereal

1 3/4 c. old fashioned oats

1/4 c. toasted quinoa

1/2 c. dried cherries (chopped)

1/2 c. hazelnuts (toasted and chopped) *optional

1/2 c. honey

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c. Nutella

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Stir together the rice cereal, oats, quinoa, cherries and nuts in a large bowl.

In a small saucepan, heat the honey, brown sugar and salt until it begins to boil.  Stir for 30-60 seconds, remove from heat and stir in the Nutella and vanilla until smooth.  Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until completely coated.

Press the mixture into a greased 13x9 pan.  Let the mixture cool.  Slice into bars.

Enjoy!