Name: No-Bake Zucchini Bread Granola Bites Recipe {Gluten-Free & Vegan}
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats; 1/3 cups sliced almonds (chopped); 1 tablespoon chia seeds; 3/4 cup almond butter; 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoons agave nectar (or honey); 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3/4 cup packed grated zucchini

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These irresistible, but healthy, no-bake zucchini granola bites are perfect for tucking in your child's lunch box. They also happen to be gluten-free and vegan.

When my boys headed off to the first day of school last year, I tucked a couple of Healthy(er) No-Bake Cookies into their lunch boxes. Even though I can’t be with them during the school day, I want them to take a piece of home with them and for them to know that Steve and I are thinking of them. This year I wanted to do something a little different, something healthier than cookies (though there is something to be said for really good chocolate chip cookies).

A few months ago, I made Carrot Cake Granola Bites and got rave reviews from both of my boys and their buddies. Since their grandma’s zucchini bread is one of their favorite treats during the holidays and zucchini seems to be practically spilling out onto the streets at this time of year, I thought I’d do a different take on the original granola bites.

These snacks or desserts (they could be either) are gluten-free and, if you use agave nectar rather than honey (if you are a vegan who prefers to avoid honey), they are also vegan.

Be sure to squeeze the excess water out of the grated zucchini so that the granola bites are not overly moist.

The recipe:

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds and chia seeds.

Stir in the almond butter, agave nectar and cinnamon until well combined.

Place the grated zucchini on a sheet of paper towel and squeeze out the excess liquid. Add the zucchini to the oat mixture.

Using 1 ½ 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.

Other healthy treats:

Cookin' Canuck's Light(er) No-Bake Cookies with Dulce de Leche, Sea Salt & Oatmeal
Cookin' Canuck's No-Bake Carrot Cake Granola Bites
All Day I Dream About Food's Low Carb Dark Chocolate Almond Bark
Skinnytaste's Healthy Cookies
Jeanette's Healthy Living's Almond Joy Raw Bars