Mrs. Plant's Crispy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bites

When I go visit my son, I like to take him some healthier snacks. He's a peanut butter lover, so I think he's gonna like this one!

3 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups crispy brown rice cereal (I used Whole Foods 365 brand)
1 T chia seeds
3 T. shelled hemp seeds
1/8 t. salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
1/4 cup date syrup*
2 T. maple syrup
2 T. natural peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the oats on a rimmed tray and bake for 10 minutes, stirring around after 5 minutes.  Leave oven on.

Move baked oats into a large bowl. Add crispy brown rice cereal, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and salt. Stir together.

In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the date syrup, maple syrup, and peanut butter for 5-10 minutes.

Pour sweetener/peanut butter mixture over the grains and seeds and mix until all is coated well. Fold in chocolate chips.

Press the mixture into a 13x9" glass baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes in the oven. Let cool well. Break into bite-sized pieces. Store in sealed container.

* This date syrup can be purchased from Vitacost.com for a bit cheaper.