It's that time of year again. Back-to-school!
Growing up, I always enjoyed the first week of school. Freshly purchased notebooks, brand new clothes, and seeing the comforting faces of friends every day all made the thought of homework and exams seem more bearable.
But as the days went on and the routine became more work, that new excitement faded just like the jeans I convinced my mom were "so in." I was more interested in my after-school agenda most days, even if it did involve a night of algebra homework and written essays.
No matter what my afternoon entailed, it was certain that come 3:30pm, I would arrive home and hit the snack drawer, seeking some sugary treat as a reward for making it through the long day.
Even though cookies and milk are sure to please any young growing mind, it may be time to get creative when it comes to surprising your child's sweet tooth with something a little more well balanced.
These granola bites are a perfect snack for not only kids but people of all ages! They are sweetened with honey, bananas and a dash of cinnamon to render just the right sweetness to qualify as "treat."
Whether you're headed back to the classroom, sending your little one on the school bus, or just looking for a reason to reward yourself with an afternoon snack, these Banana Nut Granola Bites will certainly make the grade!
Ingredients:
2 cups Off Road Edition Granola
1 overripe mashed banana
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons all natural peanut butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoons sea salt
Directions:
In a small sauce pan over medium heat, stir together the honey and peanut butter. Heat until the consistency is smooth and creamy.
In a medium bowl, combine the granola, mashed banana, cinnamon and salt. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the granola and fold to combine. Stir until all of the dry ingredients are moistened by the wet.
Using a small scoop (or a spoon), gather about 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the palm of your hand (use wet hands for better formability) and gently roll into a small ball. Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and continue to form the rest of the mixture into balls. Place the cookie sheet into the fridge for 15-20 minutes until hardened.
