These Peanut Butter Granola Bites are a healthy little snack to munch on when you are trying to what you are eating.
After an entire month of enjoying holiday food and not working out very much at all, I am ready to jump back on the healthy eating and exercise bandwagon full force.
But don't worry. I have a few other recipes that I will have to jump off the wagon, so I can share them with you soon! It's all about that moderation, right?
Do you set resolutions or goals at the beginning of each new year? My goal is to continue working out in our garage doing some BeachBody workouts and eating lean and green dinners. Eating right and working out isn't about losing weight. I honestly feel better mentally and physically when I fuel my body this way.
But..I'm also planning to also enjoy a few bites of each new dessert that I create because I love me some sugar. I do need to work on my will power though.
When I have Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies and Reese's Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies in our kitchen, my sweet tooth becomes so much stronger than my will power.
I'm always looking for an easy snack idea, so I made these sweet little granola balls to pacify my sweet tooth. These little oatmeal energy bites did not last very long in our house. My entire family loved them and helped me gobble them up in a hurry. They also loved these Peanut Butter Banana Cookies.
I took the recipe for these No Bake M&M Granola Bars and removed the sugar and then added some peanut butter and a little bit of raw honey. There is no need for any sugar when you use honey to sweeten these healthy no bake granola bites.
Basically the old recipe looks nothing like the new, and these are way softer. I'm a fan of soft chewy granola snacks.
Now I realize the name of this recipe is kind of a farce because something with honey and chocolate chips cannot really be considered a skinny treat. But hey, these are better for you than a candy bar or a chocolate laden cookie, right?
What are skinny granola bites?
They are a no bake mixture of whole grain oats, honey, and peanut butter. That's it. A great little snack that is full of protein and keeps you full until your next meal.
Now I did add some mini chocolate chips to these healthy granola balls because this is me we are talking about. Chocolate is an anti-oxidant right? Totally still healthy-ish in my books.
Oh, and the sprinkles. Just because we are eating healthy doesn't mean we have to cut out sprinkles. They add a little bit of fun and flair without adding too many extra calories. Feel free to leave them out if you have an issue with cutesy sprinkle goodies.
My hubby told me I could make these no bake energy bites again, but he prefers the non-sprinkle version. Boring if you ask me, but whatevs.
I'm just excited to have a "sweet" treat that he is asking for seconds on. Score another point for the baking blog!
Now excuse me while I go polish off the last two skinny bites waiting for me in the kitchen. Wish me luck that I can resist the M&M Blonde Brownies that are also sitting beside them!
How to make Skinny Peanut Butter Granola Bites:
- Stir together the coconut oil, honey, and peanut butter in a small sauce pan over low heat until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Place the oats in a large bowl and pour the warm peanut butter mixture over them. Stir until all the oats are coated. Let the oat mixture cool for about 30-45 minutes.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips and sprinkles. Spoon a Tablespoon of the mixture into your hands and press into a ball. Squeeze it together very tightly until if forms a ball. You may need to move it from one hand to another to get it to form a proper ball.
- Place on a piece of parchment and let them dry. Store in a sealed container on the counter or in the refrigerator.
What if I can't get the bites to stay in a ball?
You can also press the entire mixture firmly into a foil or parchment lined 8x8 square pan and let it cool completely. Cut it into 16 squares and press each square into a ball.
Do I have to use peanut butter?
Feel free to sub any other nut butter in these skinny granola bites.
Can I add anything else to these granola bites?
Yes. You can add nuts, chia seeds, or dried fruits instead of the chocolate chips and sprinkles.
More healthy no bake recipes:
- Almond Joy Energy Bites - honey and almond butter give these little oatmeal bites a sweet taste
- Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bites - a mixture of peanuts and dates creates a sweet little snack that tastes great
- No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake - little cheesecake cups are a sweet and healthy treat to serve for dessert
- Raspberry Orange Frozen Yogurt Bowls - add fresh fruit and granola to the top of this healthy frozen yogurt for a sweet treat
- No Bake Apricot Chia Energy Bars - dried fruits and chia seeds come together in one easy sweet treat
Recipe
Peanut Butter Granola Bites
Peanut butter and honey make these Peanut Butter Granola Bites a healthy little snack to munch on when you are trying to what you are eating.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 3 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 2 Tablespoons sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan heat the coconut oil, honey, and peanut butter until melted and creamy. Stir in the vanilla. Pour over the oats in a large bowl. Stir until thoroughly coated.
- Let the peanut butter oatmeal mixture cool on the counter for 30-45 minutes. You can refrigerate it to help cool it down, if needed.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips and sprinkles. Take Tablespoons of oats in your hand and press very firmly until it forms a ball shape. You will have to squeeze the mixture very firmly to get it to stay in a ball.
- Set on a piece of wax paper to dry. Makes 16 granola bites. Store in a sealed container on your counter or in the fridge.
Notes
You can also press the mixture very firmly into a greased 8x8 pan, refrigerate, then cut into 16 even squares. From there you can either eat them square or press into the ball shape.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 20mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post for Skinny Peanut Butter Granola Bites was originally published on January 9, 2014. The post and pictures have been updated and republished on January 2, 2019.
Lorraine
Jocelyn, thank you so much for this great "skinny" treat! I came upon your blog while looking for Christmas treats and had fun making a few really decadent desserts. Since becoming a follower I've enjoyed the daily posts but always have to look away because I'm a Weight Watcher. I was thrilled to see this pop up on my FB feed this morning! Thank you for all of your great recipes and fun stories. Looking forward to some more skinny treats in the new year!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am so happy you found my blog and tried some decadent desserts! Yes, my blog isn't the best help when you are doing the healthy thing, although I am trying to post a few healthier things because even I need to watch what I am eating!
Mary Frances
I made something like these a couple weeks ago, and you are right - the sprinkles are key! They make it fun so people will try them and then the pb/oat/honey combo keeps them coming back for more. 😉 My only problem is I can't stop eating them! These are the cutest little healthy bites!
elaine white
Can't wait to try these! Just so happens that I have a lot of coconut oil. I use it every day from wearing it to eating it.
Megan - The Emotional Baker
The sprinkles are perfect! I can't wait to try some granola bites & with peanut butter and chocolate chips, who could resist?
Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness
I saw "skinny" and "peanut butter" and then I saw sprinkles.
You win. I <3 you.
I need these in my face..
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
Skinny and loaded with sprinkles? Where o I sign up?
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
These are great, I really need to get on this skinny bandwagon!!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
This is a healthy snack I can get on board with.....love the sprinkles 🙂
Stephanie thre
Yum. These would make a perfect treat for my kids.
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Get on and off the bandwagon as you please Jocelyn - I like the variety! What fabulously fun granola bites! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Trish!!! And my blog is going to be pretty bi-polar for a little while. Healthy food...dessert...healthy food...dessert. Gotta love this time of year, right?
Happy Valley Chow
What an awesome healthy little snack! Sounds awesome 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Graham @ Glazed & Confused
Skinny + sprinkles. I'm in immediately.
Erin | The Emerging Foodie
You had me at "skinny" and "peanut butter" in the same title. These look delectable, Jocelyn!
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik
These look and sound amazing.
By the way, I love that bowl and your photos look fabulous. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Sarah 🙂 You just made my day!!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
Love this! I am actually making granola today for the kiddos snacks! My hubby doesn't do peanut butter so I really need to figure out an alternative so this so he would eat it!
MaryE
Try Nutella .
Jocelyn Brubaker
I was going to suggest Nutella or Biscoff...of course that will add more sugar to the "skinny" bites.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
I a, adoring the sprinkles in these 🙂 I love making little bite sized goodies like this- perfect for snacking!
Jocelyn Brubaker
These are definitely perfect for snacking...although I'm pretty sure I ate way too many with them in cute sprinkle form!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker
These look so wonderful!! I love the ingredients, I wouldn't leave out any not even the sprinkles. So cute!! And I think I'll have to quote you on my next skinny receipt because I threw in some chocolate chips too. They are antioxidants so totally good for you!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Anti-oxidants is my go to answer for justifying all chocolate consumption 🙂 Definitely use it!
Becca
Looks so good! Is there something else you can sub for coconut oil?
Jocelyn Brubaker
You can use butter if you like instead. That will add a little bit more fat to the bites, but they will taste great!
Megan
What would happen if you left out the coconut oil?
Jocelyn
The mixture probably would not stick together very well. You could add more peanut butter to it to make it clump right.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I love every ingredient! coconut oil, honey, PB, sprinkles, chewy oats - way to go to keep them skinny, too! pinned
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Averie! These were fun to come up with!
gigi
That looks yummy!