Food Recipes Spicy Peanut and Banana Chia Bars 3.5 (36) Add your rating & review By Heather Meldrom Heather Meldrom Heather is a food stylist, recipe developer, and writer with over three decades of experience in print and digital publications. Highlights: * Worked in front and back of restaurants for a decade * Began her editorial career as a senior food editor at Martha Stewart Living * Went freelance in 2012 and her work has appeared in Cooking Light, People Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, and Food & Wine Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 23, 2016 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email A smidge of cayenne adds a nice kick to these granola bars. But if the heat is too much for you, try replacing it with an equal amount of cinnamon or ground allspice. If you plan to keep the bars for several days, wrap them individually in small sheets of parchment or waxed paper: this makes them easier to store and transport.Get the recipe here. Photo: Heather Meldrom Hands On Time: 20 mins Total Time: 30 mins Yield: 12 Ingredients Nonstick cooking spray 2 ½ cups rolled oats ½ cup roasted, salted peanuts ½ cup sweetened banana chips ¼ cup chia seeds 2 tablespoons sesame seeds ⅓ cup honey ¼ cup unsalted butter ⅓ cup smooth natural peanut butter ¾ teaspoon ground cayenne ½ teaspoon kosher salt Directions Heat oven to 400°. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line pan with 2 crisscrossed pieces of parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides. Lightly spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the oats on a rimmed baking sheet and toast them in oven until golden brown, stirring once, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the oats to a large bowl and add the peanuts, banana chips, chia seeds, and sesame seeds. In a medium bowl, combine the honey, butter, peanut butter, cayenne and salt. Microwave until the butter has melted and the peanut butter is warm, 20 to 30 seconds. Stir to combine, then pour over oat mixture and stir until the oats are completely coated. Transfer the mixture to prepared baking dish. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan and smooth the surface with a spatula or knife. Refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 12 pieces. Rate it Print