Chocolate Chip & Cranberry Lentil Granola Bars

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Put water in saucepan and bring to a boil. Add red lentils and reduce heat to a simmer – will take approximately 20 minutes to cook, uncovered. Remove from heat, drain excess liquid (if any) and allow to cool.
3. Combine oats, flour, flax, walnuts, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk together.
4. In a separate bowl, combine lentils, peanut butter, corn syrup, and vanilla. Blend with a whisk until fully incorporated.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix fully. Fold in cranberries and chopped chocolate.
6. Press the mixture firmly into a 9 x 13 baking pan (parchment on top to keep your hands or utensils from sticking can help) and bake for 25 minutes.
7. When done, allow to cool and cut into desired bar-shaped size.