Back to School Bites
This week it’s not one but two recipes that are perfect for lunchboxes or for a healthy after school treat. Our Chocolate Coated Cranberry Granola Bars are an ideal balance of crunchy, chewy, fruity and chocolatey goodness. The Raw Energy Balls feature just four ingredients and are super-simple to make. They taste like brownies so they’re sure to be a big hit – you’d better make a double batch!
How long will it take?
45 minutes
What’s the serving size?
Serves 4
What do I need?
For the Chocolate Coated Cranberry Granola Bars
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup mixed nuts, chopped
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½ cup runny honey
- 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ cup dark chocolate
For the Raw Energy Balls
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 1 ½ cups desiccated coconut, divided
- 2 cups pitted dates
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
How do I make it?
For the Chocolate Coated Cranberry Granola Bars
- Line a 22-centimetre square cake tin with baking paper and set aside.
- Add oats, cranberries, nuts, and chia seeds to a large bowl.
- In a saucepan combine honey, peanut butter, and salt over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the ingredients are combined and warmed through.
- Pour wet ingredients onto the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin, pressing evenly into the corners, then place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, microwave the coconut oil and chocolate together in 30 second increments until the chocolate is melted. Stir well.
- Pour melted chocolate over the granola, then return to the freezer to set, approximately 30 minutes.
- Slice into bars when set. Store in an airtight container.
For the Raw Energy Balls
- Add almonds, 1 cup of coconut, and dates to a food processor and blend until combined. Add cocoa powder and blend until incorporated into a thick dough. If the mixture is too crumbly, add a little water to help bring it together.
- Add remaining coconut to a bowl. Use your hands to shape the mixture into small balls. Roll each ball in coconut until coated.
- Place Energy Balls on a plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
- Energy Balls will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks.
