Granola Bites

Nate and I recently thought we’d try this thing where we eat better. We don’t eat horrible.  We only eat junk food on the week-ends.  We do, however, eat an okay amount of packaged products.  We’re slowly transitioning to a more cleaner way of eating. 

We both like granola bars.  I eat a lot of them.  I decided to be a hippy and research making my own.  By making my own, I am aware of all of the ingredients in them. I like that.

I think I have finally perfected the art of granola bar making.  Well, I make bites. I like bit sized things.  They trick my brain into think I’m eating more.

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My food photography still amazes me.

These bites are so good that I will no longer buy granola bars.  I make these at least once a week.  It’s a slight obsession.

Want to make your own delicious from scratch granola bites? I knew you did.

Here’s what you’ll need:

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Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 C. quick oats
  • 1/2 C. crisp rice cereal
    • I used Rice Krispies because I need to finish the box.  A less sugary option will be my next purchase.
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
    • You will probably want a little more if you are using a non-sugary rice cereal.
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 C. canola oil
  • 1/4-1/2 C. honey
    • This varies every time I make it.
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 C. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, raisins, M&Ms, whatever you like!

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350.  I always forget to preheat my oven. I wish my oven could read my mind.  That would be amazing.

Mix together all ingredients except for the chocolate chips.  You want the mixture to be well mixed.  The oats will start to clump a little.  If your mixture seems to dry, you can add more honey or oil.  I prefer adding more honey. It keeps the bites from being too greasy….like my hair currently.  Mmmm, appetizing.

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Once the oats are well mixed.  Add in the tasty stuff.  I’m a fan of Nestle’s Chunks.

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Grease a mini-muffin tin.  I use cooking spray. 

Scoop the mixture into the muffin tin.  I usually fill each one to the top using a cookie scoop.

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Bake in the oven for 13-14 minutes.  You want the tops to be lightly golden brown.  (If you cook the bites too long, they will be dry.  If you don’t cook them long enough, they will fall apart.  Honestly, they will taste delicious no matter what.)

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Seriously.  When is the Food Network going to hire me as their photographer?

Pop out the bites and store in an air tight container.  My bites don’t last long.  These things are so stinking good. 

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Any fellow hippies making their own granola out there?  Any other good granola recipes?