Shiny Happy People Granola Bars- Chewy AND Healthy!

It seems there are two different people in this world- crunchy granola bar people and chewy granola bar people.  I have satisfied the crunchy folks but I left all you others out in the cold.  Well here is another granola bar recipe to add to your collection.  And these ones are totally chewy.   

It is also super healthy, replacing all the oil and fat with mashed banana and applesauce.  It has extra fiber, thanks to the addition of Benefiber.  It is totally optional if you don't have any on hand.  But a great thing to note is that adding it to your cooking and baking is a perfect way to bump up your fiber intake.  Who doesn't need a little extra fiber now and then?!  These also have an almost instant gratification due to the fact that you have to cut them after five minutes vs. the 3 hours needed in cooling time with my other two recipes.  

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Shiny Happy People Granola Bars
2 cups rice crispies
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup raisins
1 tbsp benefiber (optional)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1 egg, beaten
1 ripe banana, mashed*
2/3 cup applesauce*
1/2 cup honey
1/2-1 teaspoon vanilla

*you can mix and match the applesauce and banana's.  Either use both as the recipe states, or use 1 cup applesauce and no bananas, or 2 bananas and no applesauce.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Very liberally grease a 9x13 baking pan.

In a large bowl combine rice crispies, rolled oats, flour, raisins, almonds, coconut, Benefiber, salt, cinnamon and brown sugar.  Make a well in the center and set aside.

in a small mixing bowl combine throughly the mashed banana, applesauce, egg, honey, and vanilla.  Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients.  Combine the two until everything is very well coated.  Pour into your prepared 9x13 pan.  Pat down hard, leaving 1 1/2 inch space at the end of the pan.  This insures a chewy granola bar.  Don't worry, they won't spread out while baking.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges start to turn brown.  Do not overcook.  The center may still appear undercooked.  Cool for 5 minutes in pan and then carefully cut into bars while still warm.  Once cooled all the way, wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.  If you don't eat these guys within a week, move them to the fridge or freezer.  There are no preservatives so they don't last as long in the pantry as store-bought ones.