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Bird Food Granola Bites

By Brittany Mullins

3.71

24

Published Jan 25, 2021, Updated Jun 12, 2023

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GFGluten-FreeDFDairy FreeVVeganVGVegetarian

These tasty, easy granola bites are made with whole grain oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit, these bites are a nutrient-rich treat perfect for on-the-go snacking.

I’m calling these bird food granola bites they legit look like those peanut butter pine cones coated in bird seed and it’s obviously perfect given the name of my website!

PS: If you’re looking for a fun craft to do with kids, here’s a DIY recipe for the bird seed pine cones. I remember making them at vacation bible school and sneaking bites of the peanut butter. Obviously my love for peanut butter runs deep.

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I know you’re going to love these granola bites because they’re easy peasy to whip up and one batch makes about 30 bites so you’ll have plenty on hand for snacking throughout the week.

They’re perfect for kiddos and anyone who is active throughout the day and needs a an extra boost of energy.

I could also see them being a lovely treat to pack for a long bike ride or hike because they stick together and hold their shape! Plus there’s not chocolate involved so you don’t have to worry about them melting on you.

Ingredients Needed

These granola bites are loaded with whole grain oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit so they offer a ton of nutrients and pack a lot of energy into one little bite. Here’s what you need:

• old fashioned oats – rolled oats are my oat of choice for these bites because they absorb a good amount of liquid and hold their shape during the mixing process. All oats are naturally gluten-free, but they are also one of the top foods that are contaminated in processing, so look for certified gluten-free oats if you need these bites to be gluten-free. I usually buy the Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free rolled oats.
• sliced almonds and chopped walnuts – I prefer this combo of nuts, but you can use whatever assortment of nuts you have on hand. 
• pepitas, raw sunflower seeds and sesame seeds – you can’t have bird food bites without seeds! This combo is perfect but feel free to swap out your favorite seeds based on what you have on hand. 
• unsweetened shredded coconut – be sure to get unsweetened shredded coconut, not the sweetened coconut.
• maple syrup or honey – to keep these bird food bites vegan use maple syrup. You can also sub in another liquid sweetener of choice like agave or monk fruit maple syrup.
• melted coconut oil – coconut oil helps to hold these bars together and adds some healthy fat. Read about the health benefits of coconut oil here.
• vanilla – just to add a little vanilla flavor.
• cinnamon – adds a touch of spice!
• sea salt – if you’re using raw nuts, don’t forget to add a little sea salt.
• medjool dates – dates are a great natural sweetener and they are the glue that really holds these bites together! They are packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals and are high in antioxidants. (Source). I love using medjool dates, which you can get pitted or pit them yourself (it’s super easy). Two brands that I like are Natural Delights and Joolies. You can find Natural Delights in the produce section of most grocery stores (near the bananas) and Joolies are offered on Amazon and Thrive Market.
• raisins – raisins are a good source of fiber, iron and calcium as well as an amazing source of antioxidants. (Source)

Customize Your Granola Bites

Like a traditional granola recipe, these bites are pretty customizable so feel free to play around with a different combo of nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

• Dried fruit – For the sticky base I used a mix of raisins and dates, but I bet dried cranberries, apricots, fig and/or prunes would work great too.
• Nuts – I used almonds and walnuts, but you can experiment with other types of nuts like pecans, cashews or pistachios. 
• Seeds – the recipe calls for pepitas, sunflower and sesame seeds for the seeds, but feel free to use what you have on hand. Chia seeds, flaxseeds or hemp seeds would make for great additions. 
• Nut-free – If you need a nut-free option you can easily swap the nuts for more seeds. I also have these tahini fig bars that are nut-free and delicious!

Storing Granola Bites

These bites store really well and are great for meal prep! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Energy Bite Recipes

• Protein Balls
• The BEST Energy Balls
• Date Energy Balls
• Brownie Energy Balls
• Apple Pie Energy Balls
• Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls

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• Quinoa Granola
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• Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars

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3.71 from 55 votes

Granola Bites

By: Brittany Mullins

These tasty, easy granola bites are made with whole grain oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit, these bites are a nutrient-rich treat perfect for on-the-go snacking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 30

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cups old fashioned oats
• ▢ 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• ▢ 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• ▢ 1/4 cup pepitas
• ▢ 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ▢ 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups dates
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups raisins

Instructions 

• Combine ingredients: Add oats, almonds, walnuts, pepitas, coconut, sunflower seeds, maple/honey, sesame seeds, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon and sea salt in a large mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
• Process dried fruit: Add dried fruit to a food processor with the chopping blade and process until the mixture is completely chopped and forms into a big, sticky ball.
• Add dried fruit: Pull the dried fruit from the processor and break into small pieces. Add it to the bowl with the oat mixture and use a plastic spatula or your hands to combine everything together.
• Form bites: Once combined, form bites into small cookie shaped pucks (or roll into balls). Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
• Enjoy: Enjoy right away or store in the fridge for later. Will last 1-2 weeks in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.

Video

Notes

• Dried fruit – Feel free to use any assortment of dried fruit. I bet dried cranberries, apricots, fig and/or prunes would work great.
• Nuts – You can experiment with other types of nuts like pecans, cashews or pistachios. 
• Seeds – Feel free to use whatever combination of seeds you have on hand. 
• Nut-free – If you need a nut-free option you can easily swap the nuts for more seeds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bite | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 34mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: energy bites

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