Chop the nuts: Coarsely chop the almonds, walnuts, and macadamia nuts to create bite-sized pieces. Set them aside in a large mixing bowl.

Chop the dried fruits: Dice the dates, dried apricots, cranberries, and blueberries into small pieces. Add these to the same bowl with the nuts.

Mash the banana: In a separate small bowl, mash the banana until smooth. If you are using dates instead of a banana, ensure they are finely chopped or blended into a paste.

Combine with honey and vanilla: Add the honey, vanilla extract, and salt to the mashed banana, and mix thoroughly. This will act as the binding agent for your granola bars, keeping everything together.

Add oats and seeds: Pour the oat flakes and pumpkin seeds into the bowl with the chopped nuts and dried fruits. Stir until all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

Combine with wet ingredients: Gradually pour the banana-honey mixture over the oats, nuts, and fruits. Stir thoroughly to ensure that the honey mixture coats everything evenly.

Line the baking pan: Use parchment paper to line your 18 cm x 26 cm pan. This will help prevent sticking and make it easier to remove the bars once baked.

Press the mixture into the pan: Pour the oat-nut mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using the back of a spoon or your hands, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to ensure the bars hold together after baking.

Bake the granola bars: Preheat your oven to 150°C (302°F). Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Cool completely: Once baked, allow the granola bars to cool completely in the pan. This step is crucial for achieving firm bars that don’t crumble when cut.

Slice the bars: Once fully cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the granola into 14 equal-sized bars.

Serve or store: Enjoy your homemade granola bars right away, or store them for later.