{No-Bake} Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Granola Bars

INGREDIENTS

*Homemade Date Paste

2 cups

pitted dates

1/2 cup

water

Granola Bars

Homemade date paste from amounts above (equals to about 1 cup)

1/2 cup

peanut butter or nut or seed butter of your choice (preferably creamy and unsalted)

1/4 cup

coconut oil

1 tsp

pure vanilla extract

2 cups

rolled oats (I used Gluten Free Oats[

1/2 cup

oat flour (you can also make your own by blending rolled oats in a food processor (use Certified Gluten Free oats to ensure they are gluten free))

1/2 cup

shredded unsweetened coconut

1 tsp

ground flaxseeds

1/4 tsp

ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp

salt *** (leave out the salt if your nut butter is salted)

1/4 cup

mini chocolate chips (divided (I used Enjoy Life brand to keep these bars dairy-free and gluten free))