Easy Granola Bites are full of oats, fruit and nuts -- with just a hint of sweetness. Kids of all ages love this healthy snack, and you will love how quick and easy they are to make.
THEY MAKE THE PERFECT SNACK
Easy Granola Bites check all the boxes for my hungry household -- simple enough for anyone to make from ingredients we commonly have around the house; stable enough to keep around for up to a week (if they don't get snarfed up the minute they come out of the oven); satisfying for a sweet tooth, but with the healthy elements that keep me from feeling like my Mom Card might be in jeopardy.
GIFT THESE CUTE BITES
I've been known to put these colorful treats in a box and gift a new mom, a sick friend or a party hostess. They're just so cute!
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?
This recipe for Easy Granola Bites specifies Quick Cooking Oats. Quick Cooking Oats are just Old Fashioned Oats cut into smaller pieces. If you have Old Fashioned Oats, pulse them in the food processor before adding them to the recipe or use them as they are. If you don't process them, your Bites are going to be a little chewier and more rustic looking.
HOW TO MAKE EASY GRANOLA BITES
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
Mix together the condensed milk, peanut butter, vanilla, salt and honey.
Next, mix in almonds and oats.
Finally, add in the Craisens and M&M's.
Divide batter evenly into mini muffin pans, using a cookie scoop to put the mixture into the muffin tins.
Bake until just browned on edges. Approximately 15 - 20 minute.
Place bites on cooling rack for 5 minutes before serving.
STORING GRANOLA BITES
Another easy thing about these Easy Granola Bites is that you can double (or triple) the recipe and store the extras in the freezer. It's an even better treat when I can enjoy a Granola Bite with my coffee and not have to worry about clean-up after!