Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your Chewy Blueberry Sunflower Seed Granola Bars bake evenly and achieve that perfect chewy texture.
Line a 9x9 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to lift the bars out once they are cooled.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the quick-cooking rolled oats, brown sugar, oat flour, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, and dried blueberries. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter, sunflower seed butter, maple syrup, light corn syrup, water, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to mix thoroughly, ensuring that all the dry ingredients are coated and combined well.
Transfer the granola mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and evenly with the spatula, making sure it’s packed tightly. This step is crucial for achieving that chewy texture.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment overhang, and cut them into desired sizes.