Dried Fruit & Nut Health Bars

• pitted dates↗1 cup
• vegetable oil cooking spray
• old fashioned oats, finely ground or 1 cup quinoa↗1 1⁄2 cups
• pecans, toasted, 1/2 cup finely ground, 1/2 cup coarsely chopped↗1 cup
• unsalted macadamia nuts, toasted, 1/4 cup finely ground, and 1/4 cup coarsely chopped↗1⁄2 cup
• dried papaya, cut into 1/2 inch pieces1⁄3 cup
• dried cherries, chopped↗1⁄3 cup
• dried blueberries↗1⁄3 cup
• oat bran2 tablespoons
• ground flax seeds↗3 tablespoons
• wheat germ↗2 tablespoons
• coarse salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground cinnamon↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• brown rice syrup or 3 tablespoons honey3 tablespoons

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F Place dates in a small saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a simmer. Drain. Purée in a food processor until smooth.

2. 2

   Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Mix oats or quinoa flakes, nuts, papaya, cherries, blueberries, bran, flaxseed, wheat germ, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Mix in purée dates, and brown-rice syrup or honey. Press mixture in pan.

3. 3

   Bake until center is firm and edges are golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 8 bars.