snack it to me- PB&J granola bites

I love to cook and I am also a big time stress cooker. Finding a new recipe and completing it helps me calm down and feel somewhat accomplished before big tests or events. Usually I pick things I can take places so not to tempt myself or be stuck with a ton of food around the house. This batch of last finals I picked out 3 new recipes to try out and this one is so scrumptious I had to share! I was looking for something to use as some brain fuel before finals and snacks to bring camping.

PB&J granola bites are super easy to make and are excellent little snacks for on the go. I found the recipe at onesweetappetite blog , but as always I fiddle with the original recipe a bit. The first batch was a bit too sweet for my taste and the second didn't stick together as much..third time's the charm I guess!

PB & J Granola Bites
  Prep: 15-20 min   Chill: 4 hours   Yields: approx 30 bites

  Ingredients                     

·      2 ½ cup oats

·      1/3 cup honey

·      1/4 cup peanut butter

·      2 TBS brown sugar

·      1/2 tsp vanilla

·      1/4 cup jelly (or preserves)

·      1/4 tsp salt

·      1/2 cup chopped craisins

 Instructions

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spread your oats onto a cookie sheet in an even layer. Toast in the oven for six minutes.

2.  While oats are cooking chop craisins into small pieces and set aside

3.   In a medium sauce pan, combine honey, peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Heat until melted, stirring until mixed.

4.   Add the oats to your peanut butter mixture and stir to evenly coat.

5.  Microwave the jelly for 15 seconds. Pour it over the oats, add salt and craisins. Mix until combined.

6.   Press mixture into an 8x 8 inch pan with the back of a spatula.

7.   Refrigerate approx 4 hours (or less… can’t ruin them).

8.  Cut into 1x2 inch squares and enjoy!

One batch I used a toaster oven just because I didn't want to heat up whole house. Seemed to work fine in 2 groups

Stir well be sure to use low heat so it doesn't burn

Chop up craisins into small bits

Adding oats, salt and craisins

add jelly (this was sugar free strawberry preserves) and mix! 

push into 8x8 pan making sure its fairly even and allow to set in fridge

Cut into bite sized pieces and enjoy!