Keep these No-Bake Cherry Almond Granola Bites on hand for easy, healthy snacking. The kids will never know that they are low sugar! 124 calories and 4 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
There are certain ground rules put in place once school is over, otherwise summer break has the potential to turn into a video game-playing, sugar-eating spiral that will cause Mum (i.e., me) to lose her mind. I love having my kids home, but holy heck...they know how to push my buttons, inevitably when I'm in a caffeine low.
Ground rule #1: Read a book...or seven. This is a rule I need to abide by, too. Anyone have some good recommendations?
Ground rule #2: Spend at least 30 minutes of every hour in a different room than your brother. Siblings in constant contact leads to rough-housing, which inevitably leads to injury and dramatic stories of wrongdoing. It's only fun until someone loses an eye...or calls their brother a doofus.
Ground rule #3: Do not beg Mum for money every single time you hear the ice cream truck (which is typically every afternoon). Kids hopped up on sugary frozen treats can lead to no good. Plus, if you have an ice cream sandwich, Mum is going to want an ice cream sandwich. Then Mum's bathing suit doesn't fit quite right and she gets grumpy.
Which leads me to ground rule #4: All children who are in my house during the summer break must be willing to eat healthy snacks (please see ground rule #3 and the part about the bathing suit).
That's where these low sugar granola bites come in. Of course, the kids don't need to know that they are low sugar. That just spoils all the fun.
This isn't the first time I've made granola bites. In fact, one of my kids' favorite snacks is my No-Bake Carrot Cake Granola Bites. And their friends couldn't stop eating them either.
This version uses sliced almonds and dried cherries, along with almond butter, which is the "glue" that holds the bites altogether. If you follow a gluten-free diet, be sure to use gluten-free oats.
Healthy snacks + bathing suit that fits + happy kids = healthy, sane Mum.
Other healthy snack recipes:
Mini Avocado & Hummus Quesadillas {Cookin' Canuck}
No-Bake Carrot Cake Granola Bites {Cookin' Canuck}
Chocolate Almond Olive Oil Granola {Well Plated}
Pineapple Pico de Gallo {The Creative Bite}
No-Bake Cherry Almond Granola Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats gluten-free variety
- ⅓ cups sliced almonds chopped
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons almond butter
- ½ cup dried cherries
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, chia seeds and flax seeds.
- Stir in the almond butter, dried cherries, agave nectar, ground ginger and cinnamon until well combined.
- Using 1½ tablespoons (packed) of the mixture for each bite, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop makes this process easier. Also, spray your hands with cooking spray to stop the mixture from sticking.
- Place the granola bites on a baking sheet, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve.
- Store the remaining granola bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Zoe Smith
Hello,
Superb! very easy to made and also required less time. My children will love it. I am going to prepared it as soon as possible. 🙂
Special two thinks I have found in this recipe is, gluten free and low sugar recipe.
I would like to share one recipe. Very healthy and testy Savory Chana (Chickpea) Masala recipe ( http://www.agein.com/savory-chana-chickpea-masala-6763 )
You can try this one also.
If any one have gluten free recipe, Please share with me.
photo cake
I love these little cakes! Yammee!
Belmarra
It looks so adorable! I love it.
Karen
Just finished reading both the The Shoemaker's Wife & The Fault In Our Stars. Both were great, and The Fault In Our Stars is coming to theatres this summer, so give it a read before you see the movie!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily
I didn't know you could eat raw oats? It's great to keep healthy treats like these around the house, especially when summer boredom eating gets to even the best of us 😉 rule #3 made me laugh 😉
I just got through reading The Maze which was decent. Also, Jhumpa Lahiri "Interpreter of Maladies" is a good book full of short stories.
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton was good
Wool by Hugh Howey was a great book, fun summer read.
Blood Root by Amy Greene was fantastic
The Hangman's Daughter was interesting
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison was good
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Great flavors for granola bites! I need to have a batch on hand that I can snack on in the afternoons!
Happy Valley Chow
What a delicious little healthy treat, definitely can't wait to try!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Diane
Will these freeze? I'm trying to lessen the temptation to eat them all at one time!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
I love these guidelines!!! Especially about being in separate rooms!! I will be filing that for later in life. 😉
Laura @ My Friend's Bakery
Those look good. Does it still count as a snack if you eat them all in one sitting?
Svetlana L
Awesome! The main it contain chia seeds 🙂
Robin
Those look tasty!
For summer reading, I recommend A Discovery of Witches and The Light Between Oceans
Robyn
A discovery of witches is so good!
These look great - may sub out the cherries for diced prunes - am trying to fibre up my kids & these seem perfect!
Amber
Thanks for the link love. These look incredible! You are hilarious, by the way. I love your writing style! Thank you again!
kita
We all need rules 😉
These bites look perfect for a bike trip. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
I don't have kids yet, but I will file these great ground rules in my noggin for future reference!
Until then, I will be storing these bites in my belly...I need some easy, no bake healthy treats. Love the almond and cherry! Pinned 🙂