Almond Cranberry Granola Poppers

Are these cookies? Are they miniature granola bars?  Call them whatever you want, but I call them amazing!  I love, love, love “things”.  Shocker, I know.  I post a ton of cookie recipes and I’m still on my quest to lose those last darn 10 pounds.  Not the best combo when you think about it.  I wanted to create something that would satisfy a sweet craving and I wouldn’t feel guilty eating it.

I used my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bar recipe for inspiration, replaced parts of it with healthier goodies and turned it into these crazy amazing bite size treats.  No bake and no guilt!

09Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

Almond Cranberry Granola Poppers Recipe
(Makes 25 poppers)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2  cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, chopped
  • 1/4 cup wheat germ
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup honey

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, dried cranberries, almonds, wheat germ and vanilla extract together.  Set the dry ingredients aside.
  2. Mix the peanut butter and honey in a small bowl.  (Microwave the bowl with the peanut butter and honey in it for about 15 seconds to make them softer.)
  3. Mix the peanut butter and honey mixture into the dry ingredients until well combined.
  4. Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.
  5. Roll the mixture into balls shapes, about 1 tablespoon each.

Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

 

Hello no bake poppers!  By the way, my dad helped me name these.  I was raving to my parents about this recipe.  I told them that I couldn’t figure out what to call them because they’re a hybrid of categories.  I said I like to take several bites of each one, to make it last longer. However, my husband just pops the whole thing in his mouth.  “How about poppers?”  Great idea…thanks, papa.    🙂

01Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

These poppers are pretty healthy and taste delicious.  It’s not often I find a goodie that meets both criteria.  I chose healthy ingredients to use in these poppers.  Almonds and dried cranberries are an awesome flavor combo.

These are a bit sweet thanks to the honey but don’t have any other added sugars.  They also have a lovely crunch from the almonds, an awesome chew because of the oats, and a sour bite from the cranberries.  With the goal being healthy this time, I had to say good bye to the chocolate (sorry, chocolate).

05Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

Peanut butter and honey are key ingredients in this recipe because are the binder.  They help keep the poppers together.  No need to turn on that oven!  How cool is that?

There is a lot of protein in these poppers from the almonds, peanut butter, and oats.  The wheat germ is optional, but I highly recommend it to maximize the health factor.  It’s loaded with fancy vitamins and I think it actually tastes good.

I’m so in love with these poppers.  I’m finding it hard to explain them, but if you’re a fan of oatmeal, oatmeal cookies, or granola bars, then I know you’ll love these.  The poppers have great flavors similar to those classic goodies.

04Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

If you eat them at room temperature they’re soft and chewy with a little crunch from the almonds.  If you grab them straight from the fridge then they are chewier.  Anyone that has ever stored natural peanut butter in the fridge will know why.  I love them at any temperature!

02Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

This is an awesome recipe to do with kids.  Let them be a mini chef and they can even decide what goodies they want in their poppers.  There are no sharp edges involved, no hot ovens, and anything this sticky is automatically fun.     🙂

08Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

These poppers rock!  I find myself reaching for these bad boys one after another.  Guess what?  I don’t feel bad about it.       🙂  After one pop, you’ll see!

 

Rating:

5 Hats

 

Source:  Tina’s Chic Corner

 

Here are some other healthy snacks.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

09Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

 

 

Skinny Peanut Butter and Chocolate Shake

02Skinny_Peanut_Butter&Chocolate_Shake_1024x768

 

 

Comments

  1. Whatever you call these poppers, they look so good! I love that they are mini- the perfect bite sized snack or breakfast on-the-go!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks!

    2. Vicky says:

      Do you know how many are in 1 serving?

      1. Tina says:

        Apologies, but I do not keep track of that information.

  2. Tahnycooks says:

    I love that your dad made these with you. So sweet! The name of these is absolutely perfect, I could probably pop a good dozen of these in my mouth right now!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks so much! Have a lovely weekend. 🙂

  3. Neat idea! I’m always looking for healthy snacks on the go, and these are just perfect for that. Almonds and cranberries taste really nice together – slightly bitter, slightly sweet – yum!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks Katy! They are my favorite snack right now. 🙂

  4. I love this idea Tina! These sound so good and would be the perfect afternoon snack for my son…and who am I kidding, for me too. Must try these out!

    1. Tina says:

      I hope you love them just as much as I do. Let me know if you end up trying them. 🙂

  5. I would not be able to stop eating these! Love that they are healthy and tasty. Plus, they’re so versatile. I bet other nuts and dried fruit would be great.

    1. Tina says:

      They are a bit addicting! I love the almond/cranberry combo but I definitely think you can personalize them with goodies you love. 🙂

  6. I loooove healthy snacks like these! They look so awesome that I’m sure that I wouldn’t even miss chocolate ((and I’m always missing chocolate)). I must make these as soon as possible! x

    1. Tina says:

      I don’t miss the chocolate in these, but I will admit that they would still taste great if you added chocolate chips (that’s the chocoholic in me talking). 😉
      Let me know if you end up making them. Have a wonderful weekend!

  7. perfection in miniature ball form! Minus the wheat germ… will have to sub oat bran for that but should still work! I seriously love this recipe!

    1. Tina says:

      I definitely think oat bran would work. I used that in my peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars. Glad you love this recipe! I know I do. 🙂

  8. How can you simply try to resists taking a bite of these yummy treats while you’re photographing them? I hear ya! I love the name you gave these! Absolutely perfect. I love everything about these, too. Especially the cranberries! Pinning (=
    ps…I’d definitely be eating more than one of these!

    1. Tina says:

      Hehe. Thanks Gloria!

  9. I need these wonderful little granola poppers in my life!! I love these!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks Jocelyn! Have a lovely weekend. 🙂

  10. Yolanda says:

    These look so tasty! I’m definitely in search for a healthy little snack so these look perfect!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks you! I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂

  11. Anna@eatwithtaste.com says:

    These look delicious love the combination of ingredients!

    1. Tina says:

      I need to make these again asap! I love treating myself to one or two after working out. 🙂

  12. Sara says:

    Do you think it would work to substitute almond butter for the peanut butter?

    1. Tina says:

      Sara, I’ve not tried this with almond butter but it has a similar consistency to peanut butter so I think it could work. Let me know if you end up trying it. I appreciate you stopping by!

  13. You are super cool really 🙂

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