Super easy granola bites are your answer to a make-ahead snack the whole family will be into.
These easy granola bites are packed with protein and whole grains. They're also naturally sweet, which means they can serve as a breakfast, snack or dessert for summer travel (or any time of year). I make a batch of these easy granola bites during the week, keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge, and grab them as a travel snack when we head out the door for the weekend. Confession: I also like to keep them in the freezer and eat them straight from frozen for dessert. Is that weird?!
I like to make these granola bites with either chocolate chips (minis work especially well), craisins or dried wild blueberries. You can totally make them your own and add whatever add-ins you like: cocoa nibs, currants, raisins and coconut will all work well in these easy granola bites recipe. You can also vary the nut or seed butter. I often use almond butter, but when I make them for snack for school or camp I use sunflower seed butter to keep them nut-free. Just be sure to use a nut or seed butter that is unsweetened (you'd be surprised how many brands sneak added sugar into their nut butters!) Also some nut or seed butters are more liquid than others, so you may need to adjust the amount of dry ingredients slightly. Try adding more oats, a few tablespoons at a time, if the dough looks too runny to roll into balls. Also, it helps to wet your hands with water before rolling the balls, so they don't stick to your hands. You may need to rewet your hands after rolling several balls.
These easy granola bites are sweet, but they're naturally sweetened with maple syrup. While I prefer the flavor of maple syrup and the micro-nutrients that is provides, you can use honey in this recipe if you aren't concerned about keeping these easy granola bites vegan. Agave will also work but I no longer use agave in my kitchen.
Easy Granola Bites
Vegan, gluten-free, packed with protein, whole grain oats and super simple to make. Your kids will love them! You'll love them! Make a batch and have them all week for on-the-go healthy snacks.
Ingredients
- Gluten-free old fashioned oats or oat flour - 1 cup
- Flaxseed meal - 1 cup
- Unsalted nut or seed butter - 16 oz. (about 2 cups)
- Maple syrup (or honey) - 1/2 cup
- Pure vanilla extract - 2 Tbs.
- Vegan chocolate chips, craisins or currants - 1/2 cup
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Using a spring-loaded scoop, form into balls. Refrigerate with parchment paper between layers. Makes about 36 balls. Can be kept in the fridge for 2 week or in the freezer for up to a month.