1 and 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal (I just had Cinnamon Life cereal on hand)
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats (I just used rolled oats - in food processor, it is the same)
2 tablespoons ground flax seed (I used whole Chia Seed)
1/4 cup finely chopped dried fruit (e.g., raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, etc.)
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts or seeds
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Combine the rice cereal, oats, flax seed meal, dried fruit, and nuts in a large bowl. I combined in food processor and chopped.
Combine the syrup and peanut butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted and well-blended (alternatively microwave in small microwave-safe bowl 30-60 seconds until melted). Stir in vanilla and cinnamon until blended.
Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until coated (use a wooden spoon at first, then get your hands in it. It will be sticky, but this way you can really coat everything. Just scrape off your hands when you're done). Press mixture firmly into an 8-inch square pan (sprayed with nonstick cooking spray) using a large square of wax paper (really tamp it down). Cool in pan on a wire rack and chill at least 30 minutes to help it set. Cut into 12 bars. (Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator).
