Combine three simple ingredients to make homemade Granola Bites for a healthy, fiber-packed snack for kids. Plus: They store in the fridge for weeks, so you can use them up as needed and not worry about waste.
Granola Bites
We had a phase a while back when one of my kids loved store-bought granola bites. And since I have the job that I do, I figured I could probably figure out how to make them at home for less cost. I tried a few different versions and landed on this super simple 3-ingredient recipe.
They’re high-fiber, high in Vitamin C, and healthy fats so they’re nutritious and also so super yummy.
I really love how versatile they are in that you can adjust for allergies, use homemade or store-bought granola, and adjust the fruit as you like. You can even make them nut-free to pack for preschool snacks or in a daycare lunch.
Ingredients You Need
To make these homemade granola bites, you need these ingredients:
- Dried fruit: I prefer to use dried apricots or cherries, but dried apples, raisins, or prunes could work too.
- Granola: I like using granola without large nuts or giant clumps since it helps the batter come together a little more easily.
- Nut or seed butter: You can use peanut butter, almond butter, or Sunflower seed butter.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full information.
- Gather your ingredients. (photo 1)
- Cut the apricots and soak in water. This helps them to soften and be easier to blend (photo 2)
- Drain the water off. (photo 3)
- Place fruit, granola, and nut or seed butter into a blender. (photo 4)
- Grind, using the stick to help move the batter around if needed. (photo 5)
- Use a teaspoon measuring spoon to roll into balls. (photo 6)
TIP: I find that this recipe works best when made in a blender, but if you want to do it in a food processor, grind the granola for 30 seconds first before adding the dried fruit and nut butter.
Can I use other dried fruit?
Sure, in place of apricots you can use prunes, dried cherries, dried apples, or raisins.
What kind of granola works best in this recipe?
A dry, crispy granola works best in this recipe. I like the Kind cinnamon flavor, this unsweetened granola from New England Naturals, and my homemade applesauce-sweetened granola.
Are granola bites healthy?
This recipe relies on dried fruit and granola to make energy balls, so they are packed with complex carbohydrates and vitamins from the fruit.
How to Store
You can store these granola bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can send them as a snack to school in a small storage container or bag.
Best Tips for Success
- Use dried cherries, raisins, apples or prunes instead of apricots.
- Use a crispy granola like this one from Kind or my Homemade Granola.
- You can use melted coconut oil instead of the nut or seed butter if desired.
- Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender and use the stick that came with it (if one did) to help move the batter around.
- If the batter is too sticky to roll into balls, store in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.
- You can also roll balls in shredded unsweetened coconut if desired.
- I find that this recipe works best when made in a blender, but if you want to do it in a food processor, grind the granola for 30 seconds first before adding the dried fruit and nut butter.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free granola.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share!
Granola Bites (No-Bake, 3-Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup granola
- 1 1/2 cups dried apricots (cut with scissors into small pieces)
- 1 tablespoon nut or seed butter (at room temperature)
Instructions
- Place the apricots into a bowl and cover with water. Let sit for at least 10 minutes. Drain.
- Place 1 cup of the granola into a blender. Blend until well chopped.
- Add the dried fruit and nut butter, and blend, stopping frequently to scrape down the sides of the bowl, or if you have a Vitamix, use the stick to help things move around. Blend until starting to clump together and are finely chopped.
- Place the remaining granola into a bowl and portion out 1-tablespoon balls. Roll in your hand, then roll in the granola, pressing the granola into the ball. Place on a plate and repeat to finish the batch.
- Serve, or store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Equipment
Notes
- Use dried cherries, raisins, apples or prunes instead of apricots.
- Use a crispy granola like this one from Kind.
- You can use melted coconut oil instead of the nut or seed butter if desired.
- Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender and use the stick that came with it (if one did) to help move the batter around.
- If the batter is too sticky to roll into balls, store in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.
- You can also roll balls in shredded unsweetened coconut if desired.
Nutrition
This post was first published October 2019.
Do you have an age range for these? My son just turned one and I am navigating through recipes that are safe for this in between baby and toddler stage. He’s a “little toddler”
Hi- These are quite soft to chew so they should be okay. You can also look at this post for ideas for his age group. (The vast majority of my recipes are meant for kids over 12 months though.) https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/favorite-recipes-for-1-year-olds/