Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola

Can you tell I've been home a LOT since I have been posting so many recipes?  I really was craving granola with my greek yogurt yesterday, and this was very quick and easy to whip up!  Our whole family loves it, and since it's made with honey/agave nectar instead of sugar it makes a "better for you" snack or topping! 

Peanut Butter Granola

What you'll need...

1/3 cup peanut butter 

1/3 cup honey/agave nectar (i used a combo of both)

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 teaspoon vanilla

chocolate chips, raisins, craisins, white chocolate chips....whatever you want to add in!

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

Melt the peanut butter and honey (or agave) in the microwave at 30 second increments until melted.  Poor over the oats and coat completely with the mixture.  Spread on a baking sheet.  Bake for 10-15 minutes until the oats are golden on top, stirring them up halfway through.

Allow the granola to cool and ENJOY!

Easy Homemade Peanut Butter

We got through a lot of peanut butter in our house.  I love the simplicity of making my own peanut butter.  No added sugar, preservatives or oil!  I use stevia in my peanut butter to add a little sweetness and always make at least half of it into dark chocolate peanut butter by adding dark chocolate cocoa powder.  :O)  Antioxidants, right?!?

All you need are peanuts and a food processor.  The food processor does all the work!  Just add the peanuts and allow it to grind them until it turns to peanut butter.  It will turn into a thick paste like in the first picture, but after about 4-5 minutes you will have creamy, warm and fresh peanut butter!  Use honey roasted peanuts, add some sugar, salt, stevia or chocolate to your peanut butter according to your preference. Keep it refrigerated.  If you need it softened, give it a warm water bath for a few minutes.  Mine doesn't make it to the bread...I just grab a spoon.  :O)

Plain & Dark Chocolate.  I am hoarding the jar to the right.  :O)

No-Bake Healthy Energy Balls

Just HAD to post this quick and easy recipe for you all...it's been a while since I have posted something new! Whenever I get the urge to whip up a batch of cookies...I just grab one of these little balls from the fridge to fight the urge. :O) You can change the ingredients to fit your needs or whatever you have on hand. My kids LOVE these..and I love that they are all natural with no added sugar! Hope y'all are having a wonderful New Year!

No-Bake Energy Balls

Adapted from Smashed Peas & Carrots

Ingredients

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut or almond butter (the 2nd time I used chocolate almond butter and LOVED them)

1/3 cup honey or agave nectar

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or NO chocolate.

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix everything together in a bowl until it is blended well. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. ENJOY without feeling guilty. :O)

Healthy Chewy Granola Bars

Marybeth sent some yummy treats. SO thoughtful.

My friend Marybeth gave me some YUMMY granola bars as a house warming gift a couple weeks ago. They were SO good I have made them twice since then. I love all the ingredients in them. They are made with coconut oil, which I love baking with! I have used it to make rice krispy treats, and you would never know the difference! Thanks Marybeth for such an addicting recipe! Visit her blog here for cute inspiration and great recipes.

Healthy Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1 c peanut butter (i used natural chunky)

2/3 c honey

1/2 c coconut oil

2 c oats

2 c total of coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and flax seed (or make it your own!)

Chocolate Chips or Chopped Dark Chocolate

Directions:

In a medium size pan melt together the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil.

Remove from the heat and add in the nuts, oats and coconut.

Place in a 8 x 11 pan (or something similar) and smooth down the top. Sprinkle with coconut and chocolate.

Chill until set and cut into bars. Keep these stored in the fridge and ENJOY!