Description
These Delicious Peanut Butter Banana Granola Bites are a wholesome and tasty snack made with oats, almonds, pepitas, and the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and maple syrup. Perfect for a nutritious energy boost, these no-bake granola bites combine creamy almond butter, warm spices, and wholesome ingredients to create chewy, flavorful bites that are easy to prepare and ideal for on-the-go snacking or a quick breakfast treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 1/4 cups Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
- 1 cup almonds, roughly chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Barney Butter almond butter (smooth consistency)
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed until smooth
- 1/2 cup Grade A maple syrup
- 2 oz coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dry Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, chopped almonds, pepitas, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir these ingredients until well mixed to ensure the spices and nuts are evenly distributed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Add the almond butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk or stir until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly to combine, ensuring all the oats and nuts are coated with the wet mixture, forming a sticky dough-like consistency.
- Shape the Granola Bites: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into bite-sized balls, pressing firmly so they hold together. Place each bite onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the granola bites for at least 1 hour to allow them to firm up and hold their shape. This step is essential for achieving the perfect chewy texture.
- Serve and Store: Once chilled and firm, enjoy the granola bites immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for natural sweetness and easier mashing.
- Make sure the coconut oil is melted but slightly cooled to avoid cooking the banana mixture when combined.
- These granola bites are best stored refrigerated to maintain firmness and freshness.
- Feel free to swap pepitas for other seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds if preferred.
- For added texture, consider mixing in mini dark chocolate chips after combining wet and dry ingredients.
