These peanut butter granola bars are nutrient dense little powerhouses that are perfect when you need a quick pick-me-up to keep away those hangry moments in the morning or afternoon when it’s not quite time for another meal yet. Simple ingredients, easy to throw together, and full of healthy fats, fiber, and protein!
I mentioned last week that I was starting a new job this weekend – my first pharmacist job! If you know anything about being a pharmacist, you know these peanut butter granola balls are such a useful snack in a busy pharmacy. Sometimes, we might not have the chance to actually have a real meal while we’re running around filling prescriptions, so something quick that I can just pop into my mouth and keep going and feel full after eating is pretty fantastic. The same can be said about basically all jobs in a health care field: quick, easy, & filling = perfection.
I’ve been on such a peanut butter kick lately, so I wanted something that kind of tasted like a peanut butter cookie but way healthier. Take some oats, coconut, chia seeds, peanut butter, vanilla, and molasses, and you’ve got yourself something mighty delicious. What’s better, you don’t need a food processor for these! So many energy ball recipes call for a food processor, and while I do have one and love it, a lot of the time I don’t really feel like lugging it out and making all that noise. All you need is a bowl and a sturdy spoon to make these balls. Sometimes, simple is better, you know?
I like keeping these in a big bag in the freezer, keeping them fresher longer, and they really taste really good cold. When I throw them into my lunch bag in the morning straight from the freezer, they’ll still be cold later on, and just a little softened so they’re extra cookie-like. Yum yum.
Just one warning – if you are working anywhere in a public space, I’d pop one of these in your mouth and then immediately wash your hands to prevent any peanut getting on anything in the case of a person having allergies! No way am I going to compromise the health of one of my patients just because I ate one of these and forgot to wash my hands afterwards.
What are your favorite quick and easy snacks to keep you powered through the day?
- 1 1/2 cups oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/3 cup chia seeds
- 2/3 cup natural peanut butter*
- 1/4 cup molasses
- about 18 drops liquid stevia (or 2 Tbsp honey)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
*If your peanut butter is thick and hard to stir around, microwave it for about 20 seconds to soften it slightly, making it easier to stir.
Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together until a it forms a dough. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
Once chilled, scoop the dough by the tablespoon onto a parchment lined baking sheet, and shape into balls. Place the baking sheet into the freezer for about 20 minutes, until the balls are individually frozen. Remove the balls from the baking sheet, placing into a large freezer bag all together. Store granola balls in the freezer to keep fresh. Enjoy!
https://cookingalamel.com/2015/10/peanut-butter-granola-balls.html