No-Bake Cranberry Crunch Energy Bites

With three kids still living at home, we stay pretty busy. Two teenagers and a nine-year old make for an often hectic schedule. I don't think there are very many extra-curricular activities that my kids don't do {or, at least, haven't tried}. Currently, we are knee-deep in varsity wrestling for Zayne {our fourteen-year old}. Wrestling can be demanding and grueling on kids {as well as the families}. Weeknights are filled with practices and conditioning. Weekends consist of all-day tournaments that we often travel quite a distance to attend. To maintain his energy and fuel him through his day, our son needs lots of protein. And, typically, he needs food that he can take on the go.

When it comes to breakfast and snacks, these are his "go-to" many days. Actually, all of us munch on these and I always pack some when we're headed to sports activities. You'll seldom not find a batch of these in my freezer. They are full of pretty wholesome ingredients and they do a good job of keeping us full until mealtime.

RECIPE NOTES:  I prefer a combination of peanut butter AND almond butter for this recipe. However, I have made these just using peanut butter and they turn out well. {I really wouldn't recommend utilizing just almond butter.} Also, I use a combination of cacao nibs {found at health food stores or online} AND mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can simply use chocolate chips, if desired. This recipe is pretty versatile as long as you follow the basics with regards to the peanut butter, oats, honey and rice cereal. Basically, taste as you go along and look for a texture that can be easily shaped into balls, but isn't too sticky. I find that the exact measurements for this recipe can change depending on what brand/style of peanut butter or almond butter that I use.

Yields 2 - 2 1/2  dozen "bites" {balls}. 


Ingredients:

1/2 cup dry oats {an equal combination of quick oats and old-fashioned oats is best, but all quick oats can be used}
3/4 cup crisp rice cereal
1/3 cup unsweetened flake coconut
1 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup natural almond butter
1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons cacao nibs
1/3 cup honey (and maybe a little more, as needed)
1/4 heaping cup dried cranberries

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl.

{You'll probably have to press and keep smashing everything down with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula as you're mixing to really blend everything well, but it will come together.}

Let chill in the fridge for thirty minutes.

Using your hands, shape into around one-inch balls.  You will really want to squeeze and mold these tightly to get them into a ball shape.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for up to a month.

NOTE: If you find the mixture too dry to be able to shape easily, stir in a little more honey or peanut butter. Alternatively, if you find the mixture too sticky, additional oats or rice cereal can be added.