Grab-and-Go Granola Bars

Do you ever have difficulty finding time for a well-balanced breakfast before you head out the door? Last week at our Stomp Out Obesity program for adolescents, we made no-bake granola bars that can be prepared in advance for an easy, healthy breakfast on-the-go. This recipe incorporates whole grains, protein, and zero refined sugar, to give you a jumpstart for seizing the day! Plus, you can alter the recipe to include your own favorite sweeteners, dried fruit, nuts and cereal. 

Peanut Butter Power Balls 

Ingredients:

½ cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)

¼ cup nonfat milk powder

¼ cup honey (or frozen juice concentrate)

½ cup oats

¼ cup grape nuts (or other whole grain cereal, crushed)

¼ cup wheat germ (or flax meal)

¼ cup unsweetened flake coconut (peanuts or any chopped nuts or seeds)

¼ cup raisins (cranberries or chocolate chips)

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 2 t. cocoa powder)

Procedure:

In a large bowl mix together peanut butter, dry milk powder, and honey (or frozen juice concentrate) until well combined.  Stir in remaining ingredients until well incorporated.  Roll the mix into 1” sized balls.  If mixture is too soft and sticky refrigerate for 30 minutes before forming balls.  Store power balls in refrigerator for up to a week or freeze up to a month in an air tight container. 

*Alternately mixture can be pressed into a non stick or a wax paper lined 8”x8” baking dish or muffin tin.  Chill for 1 hour and cut into bars or lift from muffin tins and store chilled in an airtight container.

 Yields 10 servings.

Nutrition Data:

Calories per serving: 176

Fat: 8 g

     Saturated: 2 g

Carbohydrate: 22 g

     Sugars: 12 g

     Fiber: 2 g

Protein: 7 g