Nutty Granola Bites

I created this simple recipe for my sons to take in their school lunches and to have as after-school snacks. You can make your own granola to use if you'd like; I have instructions for doing this in my recipe for Homemade Fruit-on-the-Bottom Yogurt.

There are plenty of healthy fats and protein in these bites--just what young, growing bodies need (but these make fine snacks for grown-ups too). It is best to keep these refrigerated, since they can become quite soft if your house gets warm.

Nutty Granola Bites

1/2 cup butter or virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup nut butter of your choice (I used peanut butter)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup granola
1 cup nuts of your choice (I used peanuts)
1/2 cup dried fruit (chopped into small pieces if necessary--I used raisins)

In a medium sized sauce pan, warm butter/coconut oil, nut butter, and chocolate chips just until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in granola, nuts, and dried fruit.

Grease mini muffin cups with a bit of coconut oil or butter. Spoon the granola mixture into the muffin cups and refrigerate until firm.

Alternatively, you can spoon the mixture into a greased 8 x 8 inch casserole dish, refrigerate until firm, and then cut into small squares.

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