Chocolate Chip Granola Bites
{Back to School Lunch Box Treat}

Happy Friday everyone!!! The first day of school is Monday and think were finally ready. All the School supplies have been purchased and dropped off.

School clothes and uniforms for both my kids are folded, on hangers and ready to wear. Goodness so many things to do in preparation for a new school year.

This weekend I'm going to set some time aside for school lunch preparation. I need to make some PB & J Uncrustables, bake mini muffins and prepare some pudding and yogurt cups.

I also need to make a third batch of these Chocolate Chip Granola Bites pictured above. These yummy little gems are another wonderful treat that I found on Pinterest.

As soon as I saw them I immediately thought they would be perfect for lunch box snacks. Of course we had to test out the recipe to see if everyone liked them.

And the answer to that question was YES!

In fact my kids loved them so much that I've made them twice in one week. Take it from me they don't last long at all.

So far I have made them with chocolate or butterscotch chips. Both versions are really good. I'm so glad I came across the recipe, because my kids are addicted to them.

It's so nice to have another snack choice to add to the kids lunch boxes. If you have a granola bar lover in your house than you need to try this recipe.
I did adapt the recipe just a bit to accommodate what I had on hand. I used old fashioned oats instead of quick oats, because that's what I had in the pantry.


I just added them to my Cuisinart immersion blender and added the chopper attachment. I did a quick chop and they were fine.

I also kept the flax seed whole because that's how I use it in my homemade granola. The kids don't have a problem with it at all in fact they can't even tell it's added. I also used coconut oil in place of canola oil.


I couldn't find any crispy brown rice at the grocery store, so I bought the puffed brown rice cereal instead. It was only $1 a bag.


The puffed rice cereal is located near the bagged Malt o Meal Cereals. Leave the cereal whole or crush it up just a bit it's your preference. To crush add the cereal to a Ziplock bag and crush them just a bit using a rolling pin.

I have actually made it both ways with the same result. I also used a regular mini muffin pan sprayed with non stick spray. I've added a few step by step photos, so you can see how easy the granola bites are to make.


Mix all ingredients except for the chocolate chips together really well. Start with a spoon and then mix by hand. Make sure everything is blended together.

If your mixture seems dry after mixing add a little more coconut oil or honey. Add a little at a time until the mixture starts to come together. Stir in the chocolate or butterscotch chips.

Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the granola mixture and form the mound compactly. Add to a mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with non stick baking spray.

Press the granola into the molds using your hand or the back of a spoon. Press mixture firmly, compacting it as well as you can.

Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 12-13 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit in pan for 30 minutes to 1 hour to set. Pop them out using a butter knife or a mini off set metal spatula.

Store the granola bites in a air tight container and enjoy.





Chocolate Chip Granola Bits

Ingredients:
2 1/2 - cups quick or old fashioned oats
1/2 - cup crisp rice or brown rice cereal
2 - tablespoon flax seed
1 - tablespoon wheat germ
1/2 - cup mini semi-sweet chocolate or butterscotch chips
1/2 - cup brown sugar
1/2 - teaspoon salt
1/2 - cup coconut oil
1/4 - cup honey
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Mix all ingredients except for the chocolate chips together really well. Start with a spoon and then mix by hand. Make sure everything is blended together.

If your mixture seems dry after mixing add a little more coconut oil or honey. Add a little at a time until the mixture starts to come together. Stir in the chocolate or butterscotch chips.

Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the granola mixture and form the mound compactly. Add to a mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with non stick baking spray.

Press the granola into the molds using your hand or the back of a spoon. Press mixture firmly, compacting it as well as you can. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 12-13 minutes.

Remove from oven and let sit in pan for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from pan with mini off set metal spatula and enjoy.

Recipe adapted from: Another Lunch
Recipe Yields: 2 dozen



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17 comments

American children begin school 2 weeks earlier than french children.
So mothers do ! I have to say that I love time vacation (who doesn't ? ;)), just because we don't have the eye on the clock.
To go back to school mean, for me, to be always in hurry.
I wish you courage ;)
OOOO - what a great recipe - and tutorial! We don't have any little ones in our home going to school, but we two BIG kids will really enjoy these. I might even share a few with my grandkids. =) YUMMMY!!!
These look wonderful. They would be a great treat for anyone's lunch box.
Those sound like a great snack for my kiddos ... thanks for sharing!
Anonymous said…
I just love your site. You are such a good mama to take such time and care preparing yummy, fun meals and snacks. I have made many of your recipes and look forward to more. Thanks for inspiring this stay at home mama!!
Leslie said…
I love love love that these have coconut oil in them...yum
I just made these. They are good!
Nannie & Papa said…
You need to grind the flax seed to get the benefit. It is so hard that it won't break down after eating and will pass through whole.
Tina Butler said…
Thank you for letting me know about the flax seed having to be grinded up. I didn't really think about it that way. I will try grinding it next time. Thanks again : )
Colie's Kitchen said…
Oh that looks fantastic thanks for sharing -Nicole @ colieskitchen.com
These granola bites look like some tasty eats! I'll have to give them a try. :)
This look amazing - I cant wait to try it. I featured this recipe in my "What I Bookmarked This Week" post today. Stop by and see!
Kerry Lea said…
A comment regarding ground vs whole flax seed. Flax seed left whole has a laxative effect, which in some circumstances, is not a bad thing. However, I did ask a dietician about baking with whole flax seed and she thought that perhaps it may be digested better once baked. Might be worth researching a bit more. I understand that by grinding it, your body is more likely to absorb the omega 3 fatty acids present in flax.
Anonymous said…
Just made this recipe for my kids' lunches and they are great. Love the mini size. I also started making the pizza crusts last year for their lunches and they look forward to pizza lunchable days. Love your blog, especially the lunch friendly/scratch cooking recipes!
Tina - can you tell me how many this recipe makes please? Thanks -
Tina Butler said…
Hi Marsha,
The recipe makes 2 dozen. I will go back and add it so the recipe reflects the amount. : )
Hi Again Tina - wanted to let you know I posted this yummy recipe at my blog tonight....so glad you shared it. It's a keeper recipe. MMM! http://www.thebetterbaker.blogspot.com/2013/01/chocolate-chip-granola-bites-healthier.html