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Can you guess what the favorite snack among the kids in our test group was? “Bars.” These included protein bars, energy bars, fruit bars and all sorts of packaged “bars” promising to be nutritious.
When parents were asked the #1 reason for purchasing them prepackaged: convenience.Â
Most of the snack bars and protein bars those kids were eating were primarily designed for adults and the only nutrition was the added vitamins. To give parents credit, when shown this recipe of how easy it is to make your own energy bars most made the switch. In addition, the packaged snacks get expensive!
Originally, I had this as a “bar” recipe (you can still do it like that if you’d like). After a late night of recipe-browsing I found a similar recipe on Smashed Peas & Carrots and she had made them into bite size. How clever!
Of course, her photo sold me immediately too! Kids LOVE bite sized things, and they were a huge hit! You can double the recipe and freeze some. I put some in the lunch box and they are ready to eat by snack time.
If you want to make these into "bars" mix all ingredients and pour in a 9x9 baking dish. Let chill. Cut into 9 3x3 rectangles (or smaller).
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Oatmeal
- 1 Cup Coconut Flakes
- 1/2 Cup Ground Flaxseed
- 1/2 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 Cup Raisins
- 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (or other nut/non-nut butter)
- 1/3 Cup Honey
- 1 tsp Vanilla
Directions
- In a medium bowl, add oatmeal, coconut flakes, flax seed, mini chocolate chips and raisins.
- In a small bowl, whisk peanut butter, honey and vanilla.
- Pour wet mix into dry bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy! Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Love the no bake version of a yummy healthy snack and the size is just perfect. Going to try this on the weekend with my kids :)
Let us know how they come out! :)
We love these at our house! I use a small ice cream scooper, it’s a little bigger than a melon baller to make these. I do the scooping part and my 4yo makes them into the little balls! She loves to help and is always so proud when we are done. The last few times I made them I added a couple Tbsp. of melted coconut oil and they tasted just like an Almond Joy!
I love this recipe, but tend to not be able to stomach oats – any ideas for a substitute?
Lissy- check out this recipe. It’s delish and no oats! http://www.momables.com/raw-cookie-dough-bites/