stop buying granola bars and make these: no bake chocolate energy balls

Something we spend far too much money on is healthy organic granola bars. At $4.99 for a box of 5, I just can’t justify it anymore!

Solution? This.

If you’ve ever searched recipes on how to make your own granola bars, you’ll find hundreds of variations of this recipe around but really it comes down to what’s in your pantry. And it’s perfect if your littles have sensitivities or allergies because it’s completely customizable. What you end up with? Chewy, moist, (mostly) mess free snacks for lunches and on-the-go.

My recipe for the above (I just eyeballed everything…no measuring cups required!):

– 1 cup of oatmeal

– 1/2 cup peanut butter

– 1/3 cup cocoa powder

– 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened (or sweetened) coconut

– 3/4 cup of pecans (get your children to smash and crush them with a rolling pin!)

– 1/3 cup of honey (or blue agave – whatever you have on hand)

– 2 teaspoons of vanilla

– handful or two of chocolate chips (optional)

Mix really well in a med/large bowl, then let chill in fridge for a half hour.  Lightly coat your hands with olive oil or cooking spray then start squishing and rolling into little balls.  Store them in the fridge in an airtight container, separating each layer with parchment paper. Makes about 25-30 small-ish balls (about the size of a timbit).

Other options: substitute with flax seeds, sesame seeds, ground flax, cooked quinoa, walnuts, almonds, sunbutter, almond butter, pea butter, wow butter, etc. You can also press the mixture into a 9×11 pan, refrigerate then cut into bars.

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