Monday, October 26, 2009

Oats & Energy Balls

Sounds weird I know! I got this recipe from my friend Angie and I am forever a changed woman because of these things!  They are super healthy and way better than most granola bars out there.  The best part is you can freeze them.  I pull out two in the morning and throw them in a mini ziplock baggie for a quick snack.  I need to figure out the calorie count on these and I'll post that soon, but they have lots of good nutrients in them.  These are also super popular with the kiddos, Timothy's little sisters love them!

3 cups of oats
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup ground flax seed (you can find this at most grocery stores near the flour and spices)
2 cups combo of nuts, fruits, chocolate chips, etc. (my favorite is pecans and mini chocolate chips, but dried cranberries and walnuts would be yummy too.  The sky's the limit!)

Mix it together and form into balls (helps to spray your hands with cooking spray)  Refrigerate or freeze.  If you freeze, do so on a cookie sheet with wax paper, then you can transfer to a gallon size bag.

Post comments on your favorite combinations! I'm looking forward to new ideas!

**Update**
I did some math and I came up with the following for nutrition values:
Per "ball"
Calories - 107
Fat - 6 g (but you have to remember that this is good fat from the nuts and pb)
Sodium - 10.4 mg
Carbs - 12 g
Fiber - 3 grams
Sugar - 6 g
Protein - 4 g

4 comments:

  1. I am going to make these! I think my kids would love them! Thanks!

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  2. I always put in extra flax seed because you can't taste it...and you might have to add a few more oats depending on what your add-ins are...if they are moist, you'll have to add more...let me know how it turns out! They are super addicting

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  3. I finally made these. So far I've just added in raisins. I would like to try the mini chip and pecan combination you mentioned. I love these because you KNOW exactly what is in them. If you look at the package of a granola bar you can't pronounce some of the ingredients. So many nasty unnatural things in them!
    They are a big hit with my three little ones too!

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  4. We are still making these around here. :)
    Today I put in wheat germ instead of the ground flax seed b/c that's what I had on hand. No difference in taste.

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