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Healthy Oatmeal Bars

Chewy, nutty, with a hint of sweetness – these baked oatmeal bars are perfect as snacks or a quick breakfast. These easily customizable healthy bars are packed with heart healthy nuts, seeds and oats.

Set the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Add pecans and almonds to a sheet pan and toast in the 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin seeds to the same sheet pan. Toast the nuts and seeds for an additional 5 minutes and set aside to cool.

Once cool, give the almonds and pecans a rough chop, leaving the pumpkin seeds whole; set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, applesauce, oil and egg until well incorporated.  Stir the dry mix into the wet until well combined. Add the dried cranberries, reserved pecans, almonds and pumpkin seeds then stir until fully incorporated.

Empty the mixture into the prepared 8-inch pan. Using a spatula, spread and press into an even layer.

Bake in the preheated 350 degrees F oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely, then cut into 12 equal-size bars.

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