Kristin’s Granola Balls

April 4, 2011 6 Comments

 

If you ask me, the answer to world peace is as simple as a healthy snack. Luckily, no one at the United Nations has asked me what I think. However, in my small corner of the world I can assure you snacks = peace.

You’ve probably figured out I’m not a world leader, rather I’m a mother of four Littles (ages 3 – 11) who at times, when they are not fed appropriately, can seem as rebellious and cantankerous as a small insurgent nation. If you are a mother, a father, an aunt, uncle or friend who has ever picked up a tired, hungry, worn out, grumpy child from school, you know what I’m talking about. And since I do this on a daily basis times four, being prepared with healthy snacks is my best line of defense.I’m passionate about feeding my precious Littles wholesome, real food. So when Kristi asked if I would contribute one of our favorite snack recipes to Ditch the Box, I did a happy dance. Our family ‘ditched the box’ a couple years ago and eliminated almost all boxed, processed, and as Michael Pollan calls them food like substances from our kitchen. Yes, there are still a few boxes in the pantry. I’m a mom, not a saint!I’m frequently asked, and maybe you are wondering to, if I don’t give the Littles Goldfish or Granola Bars what in the world do I feed them? Plenty! And I do give them granola bars, but I make them myself (or the Littles do!) and eliminate all the unpronounceable, incomprehensible ingredients!I know, I know, now you are probably thinking I don’t have time to make granola bars, what is this woman thinking? If you have 15 minutes you can make these yummy granola balls I’m sharing with you today.

So ditch the box, make these granola balls, and see if you enjoy a little peace in your corner of the world.

Kristin’s Granola Balls

1 cup unsalted, dry roasted peanuts
½ cup agave nectar
½ cup walnuts or cashews (either one works well)
1 tsp vanilla
1 pinch of salt
2 TBS ground flaxseed
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats*
¼ cup of chocolate chips or raisins*

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a food processor, grind peanuts with the ‘s’ blade until finely chopped, but not buttery. Add the agave nectar, nuts, vanilla, salt and ground flaxseed. Process until all the ingredients are well combined. The consistency will still be a little chunky. Add the oats and pulse until thoroughly mixed. You may have to scrape the sides of the processor a few times as the ‘dough’ will be very thick.

Pour the dough into a bowl and with your hands mix in the chocolate chips or raisins.

Wet your hands with a little water to prevent the dough from sticking, pinch off pieces of the dough and roll into bite size balls. Place granola balls on the parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Makes approximately 20 bite size granola balls that will keep in the refrigerator for several days, if they last that long.

*We are gluten and dairy free so I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Oats and Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips.

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Thank you for letting me hang out at Ditch the Box. I’m such a fan of this website and honored to be a guest today. If you want more snack ideas come visit me at The Schell Café where I share our family’s favorite recipes.

Hope to see you soon!

Kristin

 

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About Kristin

My husband’s grandfather, Frank M. Schell owned the Schell Café in Cooper, Texas during the early 1900′s. I never knew Grandfather Schell, but he must have loved serving great meals and having folks gather ‘round his tables. More than half a century later, The Schell Café continues in my own kitchen and on these pages. The meals I make are a labor of love. And, my journal is a love story. For me, cooking is a joy that perfectly blends my past, present and future. I often wear my Grandmother’s pink gingham apron when I cook. She made it in a sewing class and hand-embroidered her monogram on a pocket. I also use her cookbooks, measuring cups, utensils and her great old, Dutch oven and cast iron skillets. Cooking is more than just making sure my family gets nutritionally fed. When I cook I am honoring our past and making memories for the future.
View all posts by Kristin →

6 Responses to “Kristin’s Granola Balls”

  1. Erin @ Closing Time Reply April 5, 2011 at 7:05 am

    Kristin, you never cease to amaze me with your yummy recipes!! This one looks perfect for my girls! (And me and Phil of course!)

  2. Terri Reply April 10, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    We made the granola balls today…they are yummy! These will be a great after-school snack! We LOVE them! Thank you.

  3. Kathy H Reply April 10, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Thanks for posting! Very easy. A quick snack for DH to take to work. Easy to pack for the 25 mile bike rides he likes.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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