Energy Snack Bites

This recipe inspiration is courtesy of Tami Crandall of Provo, Utah. She and I are part of a healthy eating email group and she shared a similar recipe. I think these are similar to Quaker Chewy Granola bars, which are our favorites.

Energy Snack Bites

3/4 c. almond butter or peanut butter or sunflower butter

1/4 ground flax seeds

 1/4 cup honey

 1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup old fashioned oatmeal

1 cup coconut

2 TBl coconut oil

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1/4 c. chia seeds

1/2 cup sunflower seeds (or any seed or chopped nut)

1/2 cup raisins which I finely chopped so my "I won't eat raisins" children didn't realize they were there.

 (You could substitute any dried fruit for the raisins or leave them out altogether)

Combine peanut butter, honey and vanilla.  Add flax seeds, oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, dried fruit and mix well.  I formed these into 2 bit pieces about the size of an almond joy candy bar but much yummier and healthier.

Cocnut Free Protein Snacks

Our children don't like coconut very much so this variation is their favorite.  We have been making these 3-4 times a week and our daughter has even taken the recipe to school to share with someone who tasted one from our her lunch.

3/4 c. peanut butter (unsweetened, if you use sweetened, cut or skip honey)

1/4 c. ground flax seeds

1/4 c. honey

1 c. oats

1/3 c. crisp rice cereal

1/3 c. chocolate chips

These are a pain to get into balls, you have to squeeze hard until the oil starts to connect and then they will stick together.