Chewy Granola Balls will be your new go to snack. When you want something that’s healthy and filling, but also super tasty and something kids want to eat, these Chewy Granola Balls are your answer!
One of the greatest challenges when it comes to making kids snacks or desserts is coming up with recipes that are actually both healthy and delicious. As a parent, you want what they eat to have nutritional value, but still also have eye and taste appeal. From the moment my kids saw these Chewy Granola Balls, I knew I fulfilled both criteria. Snack time just got a lot easier!
Loaded with whole grains, protein and fruit, these granola balls have just the right amount of sweetness and a crunchy, chewy texture that kids seem to love. I brought a batch of them to my informal “focus group” of classmates at Kenya’s school and play groups and I didn’t have enough to fulfill the demand for seconds. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, when the crowd is happy, so is mommy!
Another reason I love this recipe is because these little granola balls are perfectly bite sized so small hands have no problem with these spherical morsels. The crispy, yet chewy texture mixed with the tanginess from the fruit bits make this snack irresistible. Go ahead and make double because these disappear fast!
I know snack time can be a chore, so I’m always looking to give you lots of snack recipes that are both yummy, good for you and that you can grab and go. Next time you’re looking for something that fits that bill, try these Spinach Cake Muffins, Carrot Snack Sticks, Date Nut Bites or Protein Cereal Bars.
Let me know what you think of these Chewy Granola Balls! Leave a comment or tag me on social media if you make them.
Chewy Granola Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup rice syrup
- 1 cup Rice Crispies Cereal
- 1 1/2 cups granola
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries and/or raisins, chopped
Instructions
- Place the almond butter and rice syrup in a small saucepan over low to medium heat and warm for 2 minutes or until it becomes smooth and combined.
- Place the remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
- Pour the warm almond butter mixture into the bowl with the granola mixture and stir to combine.*
- Roll into 1 inch balls (I used a mini ice cream scooper to scoop out each portion, but you could also use a tablespoon) .
- Serve.
*if you want your granola balls to be chocolatey, add chocolate chips at this point!
What is your favorite brand of granola? What did you use?
Hi i also wanted to add, that mine do not look at all like those in the picture, i used the same ingredients but the rice Krispies and mine look very dark i guess from the peanut butter and rice syrup mix, maybe that amount is too much for just 1 1/2 cups of granola
Hmm strange that they turned out greasy as I have never had that issue. It could be the brand you used. The dark color could also be attributed to the brand of peanut butter and rice syrup used. I use natural peanut butter that doesn’t have anything added to it!
hi i just made these but they turned out very greasy. They are still warm but i wonder if that is the way they are supposed to be. I used peanut butter
These turned out great — held together, not sticky — and my picky 5- and 3-year-old gobbled them up. I used peanut butter because it’s what I had, and added a small scoop of mini chocolate chips. My husband declared them delicious as well. Super easy, and my local store carries rice syrup with all the other syrups (agave, honey, maple) so I’m all set!
Sorry. I had a problem loading the page. I couldn’t see the comments. I found my answer! Thanks!
How long will these keep? Should I freeze half the batch if I can’t eat all of them right away or are they stable enough to keep in a zip loc bag in the pantry for a few days? I’m also interested on knowing how long I can keep the wee granola. Thanks.
I made these a few days ago and they were soo tasty! I used sunflower butter and dried cherries. I pressed it into a pan instead of making balls. Thanks for the great recipe! My toddler didn’t like them, but me and my husband did.
Just made these and ate them right along with my little guy for a snack….sooooo yummy! I was not familiar with brown rice syrup prior to seeing this recipe, but I found it easily in my regular grocery store in the organic/health section. Thanks so much for a healthier alternative to corn syrup! It’s really nice to be able to have a sweet treat for my son that I feel good about giving him!!
I am late to the game, but wanted to cheer on this recipe some more. Just made them with my 4 year old. They were easy to make, easy to clean up, and delicious to eat.
My recipe substitutions were peanut butter and agave … that’s all I had on hand. So far so good. 🙂
Thank you!!
Yum! Made these with granola, organic cocoa krispies, dried mixed fruit, and an equal mix of peanut butter and sunbutter. Based on other readers comments, I decided to make them into a loaf shape and then cut into bars when cool – no problems at all with crumbling, and the 5-yr old is scarfing them down! He has not been inclined to eat granola previously, so this is a great recipe for us.
I have seen gluten-free granola in a few places. Try looking in your local grocery or see if you can find a health food store or a higher-end grocery!
I can’t have gluten or oats….anyone have a suggestion on a substitution since I have yet to locate a granola without oats since supposedly oats are a “non-allergen food” and are the substitute for wheat in way too many things! These just sound amazing! Otherwise, I’ll just have to make them for the kids & hold myself back….
I am stocking the kitchen for the kids when I go out of town in a few days. I am sure I will need to make a new batch before then because they are amazingly yummy! We have lots of food allergies so I used wow soybutter and enjoy life allergy free granola.