Happy Friday everyone!!! The first day of school is Monday and think were finally ready. All the School supplies have been purchased and dropped off.
School clothes and uniforms for both my kids are folded, on hangers and ready to wear. Goodness so many things to do in preparation for a new school year.
This weekend I'm going to set some time aside for school lunch preparation. I need to make some PB & J Uncrustables, bake mini muffins and prepare some pudding and yogurt cups.
I also need to make a third batch of these Chocolate Chip Granola Bites pictured above. These yummy little gems are another wonderful treat that I found on Pinterest.
As soon as I saw them I immediately thought they would be perfect for lunch box snacks. Of course we had to test out the recipe to see if everyone liked them.
And the answer to that question was YES!
In fact my kids loved them so much that I've made them twice in one week. Take it from me they don't last long at all.
So far I have made them with chocolate or butterscotch chips. Both versions are really good. I'm so glad I came across the recipe, because my kids are addicted to them.
It's so nice to have another snack choice to add to the kids lunch boxes. If you have a granola bar lover in your house than you need to try this recipe.
I did adapt the recipe just a bit to accommodate what I had on hand. I used old fashioned oats instead of quick oats, because that's what I had in the pantry.
I just added them to my Cuisinart immersion blender and added the chopper attachment. I did a quick chop and they were fine.
I also kept the flax seed whole because that's how I use it in my homemade granola. The kids don't have a problem with it at all in fact they can't even tell it's added. I also used coconut oil in place of canola oil.
I couldn't find any crispy brown rice at the grocery store, so I bought the puffed brown rice cereal instead. It was only $1 a bag.
The puffed rice cereal is located near the bagged Malt o Meal Cereals. Leave the cereal whole or crush it up just a bit it's your preference. To crush add the cereal to a Ziplock bag and crush them just a bit using a rolling pin.
I have actually made it both ways with the same result. I also used a regular mini muffin pan sprayed with non stick spray. I've added a few step by step photos, so you can see how easy the granola bites are to make.
Mix all ingredients except for the chocolate chips together really well. Start with a spoon and then mix by hand. Make sure everything is blended together.
If your mixture seems dry after mixing add a little more coconut oil or honey. Add a little at a time until the mixture starts to come together. Stir in the chocolate or butterscotch chips.
Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the granola mixture and form the mound compactly. Add to a mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with non stick baking spray.
Press the granola into the molds using your hand or the back of a spoon. Press mixture firmly, compacting it as well as you can.
Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 12-13 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit in pan for 30 minutes to 1 hour to set. Pop them out using a butter knife or a mini off set metal spatula.
Store the granola bites in a air tight container and enjoy.
Chocolate Chip Granola Bits
Ingredients:
2 1/2 - cups quick or old fashioned oats
1/2 - cup crisp rice or brown rice cereal
2 - tablespoon flax seed
1 - tablespoon wheat germ
1/2 - cup mini semi-sweet chocolate or butterscotch chips
1/2 - cup brown sugar
1/2 - teaspoon salt
1/2 - cup coconut oil
1/4 - cup honey
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Mix all ingredients except for the chocolate chips together really well. Start with a spoon and then mix by hand. Make sure everything is blended together.
If your mixture seems dry after mixing add a little more coconut oil or honey. Add a little at a time until the mixture starts to come together. Stir in the chocolate or butterscotch chips.
Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the granola mixture and form the mound compactly. Add to a mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with non stick baking spray.
Press the granola into the molds using your hand or the back of a spoon. Press mixture firmly, compacting it as well as you can. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 12-13 minutes.
Remove from oven and let sit in pan for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from pan with mini off set metal spatula and enjoy.
Recipe adapted from: Another Lunch
Recipe Yields: 2 dozen
17 comments
So mothers do ! I have to say that I love time vacation (who doesn't ? ;)), just because we don't have the eye on the clock.
To go back to school mean, for me, to be always in hurry.
I wish you courage ;)
The recipe makes 2 dozen. I will go back and add it so the recipe reflects the amount. : )