Step 1: Preheat the Oven - Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures that your crunchies bake evenly.
Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Sheet - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the crunchies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole flaked oats, desiccated coconut, chia seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, salt, and bicarbonate of soda. Stir until evenly mixed.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar - In another bowl, beat the salted butter and sugar together until creamy and light. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Add Syrup and Vanilla - Mix in the golden syrup (or corn syrup) and the optional vanilla extract, and continue to beat until well combined.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures - Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is well incorporated. The dough should be thick and sticky.
Step 7: Spread the Mixture - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, pressing it down gently so it holds together during baking.
Step 8: Bake - Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
Step 9: Cool and Cut - Once baked, remove the sheet from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, lift the parchment paper out and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares or bars.
