Granola Bites

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These Homemade Baked Granola Bites are loaded with oats, fruit, and nuts, delivering just the right touch of sweetness. Unlike your typical protein ball, these bites are baked perfectly in under 30 minutes. The kids will adore these warm, freshly baked treats, and you’ll love how easy they are to whip up.

Why you’ll love these little bites

1. Healthy and Satisfying: Packed with oats, nuts, and dried fruit, these bites offer a nutritious snack that satisfies hunger and sweet cravings without the guilt. They’re perfect for on-the-go snacking or a quick breakfast.
2. Easy and Customizable: The recipe is incredibly simple to follow, and the ingredients can be easily customized to suit personal preferences or what’s on hand in the pantry. Whether it’s swapping out the nuts or adding a different mix-in, the possibilities are endless.
3. Perfect for Any Occasion: These bites are versatile enough to serve as a wholesome snack, a treat for kids, or even a thoughtful homemade gift. Their cute, bite-sized form makes them ideal for sharing or enjoying throughout the week.
4. Gift Them: These colorful, bite-sized treats also make a thoughtful gift. I love packaging them in a cute box and gifting them to a new mom, a friend who’s feeling under the weather, or as a thank-you to a party hostess. They’re just too cute and delicious not to share!

Ingredients

SUBSTITUTIONS

What’s great about Easy Granola Bites is that they don’t have ingredients that are cast in stone. If you don’t have almonds, use pecans or walnuts. Any dried fruit – chopped apricots, cherries or pineapple — can work in place of craisins.

Try Reese’s Pieces, butterscotch chips or mini chocolate chips instead of M&Ms. Peanut allergy? Use sunflower or almond butter. As long as the general proportions are the same, you can create dozens of variations. Each one is sure to end up being your families new favorite.

WHY QUICK COOKING OATS?

For this recipe, I recommend using Quick Cooking Oats. They’re essentially Old Fashioned Oats that have been cut into smaller pieces, making them ideal for a more uniform texture. If you only have Old Fashioned Oats on hand, a quick pulse in the food processor will do the trick. If you choose to leave them as is, expect a chewier, more rustic-looking bite—delicious in its own right!

HOW TO MAKE EASY GRANOLA BITES

Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bites.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, vanilla, salt, and honey until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Mix in the quick-cooking oats and almonds, stirring until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated with the wet mixture. Gently fold in the Craisins and M&M’s, making sure they’re evenly dispersed throughout the batter.

Step 4: Using a cookie scoop, divide the batter evenly into the prepared mini muffin pan, filling each cup to the top.

Step 5: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges of the bites are just beginning to brown. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bites to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving.

Storage

Room Temperature: Store the granola bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Make sure they are completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.

Refrigeration: For longer storage, place the bites in an airtight container or resealable bag and keep them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Freezing: To store the granola bites even longer, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them.

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