The thing of it is, is that I find myself running out of healthy snacks in my kitchen all too often. Basically, I’m bored of prepackaged items that are magnets for my kids. Fruit snacks, granola bars, fruit rolls…I actually do try to keep an ideal balance between the not-so-good-for-you-high-sugar-treats and the better-for-you-lower-sugar-more-often-organic-variety snacks. When I was at the height of my dissatisfaction recently for the snacks I had available to offer my kids, I began thinking about making home-made granola. I think I remember the boys liking granola and if it’s home-made, then I can control what goes into it and how it’s sweetened. Please don’t misunderstand me though, I am not a mom that spends an abundance of time being concerned about ingredients. I should, maybe, but I’m not. This desire for a more healthful approach to snacking comes occasionally and when it does, I try to ride it out for usually as fast a period of time as it comes on. I’m just keeping it real, folks. And, speaking of real, I got to use real ingredients in the below recipe that I found for Granola Bites. I think they are going to be a hit. Here’s to hoping, anyway!

I do happen to find that real ingredients are more aesthetically pleasing than pretend ones!

I used 1/3 cups each of dried apricots, blueberries and apples. Really though, any dried fruit will work.

One of my favorite ingredients is coconut and this is unsweetened and organic in nature. I used 2 tablespoons of it flaked.

For protein use 2 tablespoons of  sliced almonds.

1 3/4 quick-cooking oats

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup peanut butter (for added protein)

1/4 cup honey for sweetening

There is also a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract in there. You can also use almond extract if you prefer.

And, if I’m keeping it real, I must reveal a secret ingredient-because who are we kidding anyway? That’s all.

Add the almonds and 1/4 cup of oats to a food processor,

and create fine crumbs with it. Set this aside because you’ll eventually coat the granola balls with it.

Oh yes, you will also have to dice the apricots and apple pieces. Do collect a little patience before doing this because the dried fruit loves to stick on the blade of the knife. Deep breaths, my friends…

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir until it is all combined. This takes a little bit of time, so don’t be alarmed…you’re doing it right!

Create 1-inch balls with the granola mixture,

Then coat them in the oat/almond powder and lay flat in an airtight container and refrigerate for four hours to that the oats absorb the moisture of the other ingredients.

I feel very excited about this new snack. I haven’t yet presented it to my guys as it hasn’t been four hours yet and the older one is still in school. Shall I return tomorrow with a follow up of how they were received? I think I just might….

These granola bites up there are close cousins of the ones I adapted from this recipe right HERE.