No-Bake Cinnamon Apple Energy Bars

| or 1 packed cup/about 11 large medjool dates (if your dates are not soft and a bit hard, soak them in water for 10-15 minutes first then drain well)

| 125g cashew butter (almond butter is ok as a sub or SunButter for a nut-free version)

| ⅓ cup brown rice syrup

vanilla extract

salt

cinnamon

| 4 tablespoons ground flax seed

| ¾ cup chopped dried apple . You can find it with the dried fruit in the store and often in the bulk bins) (that's about 1 packed cup of the dried rounds)

| 1½ cup puffed rice

| 1 cup rolled oats or quick oats processed down until they are small pieces (not as fine as flour and measured after processing. (Be sure to use gluten-free oats if necessary_)