Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your granola bars will bake evenly and come out perfectly chewy.
Line your baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to lift the bars out later.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or pepitas, unsweetened coconut flakes, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Stir until well mixed.
In a separate bowl, mix together the honey, creamy peanut butter, and pure vanilla extract. Stir until you have a smooth, well-combined mixture.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a spatula. Make sure all the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
If you want to include mini chocolate chips or dried fruit, fold them into the mixture at this point.
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and press it down firmly. Use the back of the spatula or your hands to create an even layer.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them; you don’t want them to burn!
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. After cooling, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and cut them into squares or rectangles.
