Are you looking for a quick and healthy treat in the afternoon? These no bake energy treats take less than ten minutes to prepare and there is no baking necessary! Just prepare and stick them in the fridge.
These energy treats are packed with nutrients and healthy ingredients including homemade almond butter, old fashioned oats, maple syrup, a banana and wheat germ. The chocolate chips add a little extra sweetness which makes them perfect for a child to have as a snack, and easy to pack in a lunchbox.
According to Allison Topilow, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Consultant, you will get a fiber boost from the oats, wheat germ and protein; and healthy fat from the nut butter. The banana provides potassium and sweetness! Cinnamon adds flavor, and new research is showing that it might also help lower blood sugar. Pair these energy treats with a tall glass of low-fat milk for additional protein and a calcium boost.
Want to make it vegan? Substitute the chocolate chips for dairy free chips! The almond butter can be easily substituted for no-nut butter (like Wowbutter), peanut butter or another nut butter.
Carryover Activities and Tips: Get your child involved in the kitchen. Your child can easily help with the recipe by adding and combining the ingredients. Let her shape the treats into balls and place on a plate. Do you want your child to eat healthier? Check out my article on getting your child to try new foods here.
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Ingredients
1 cup of old fashioned oats
2 generous tablespoons of almond butter
1/4 cup of pure maple syrup
1/2 cup of wheat germ
1/2 of mashed banana
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 cup of chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips (can be substituted with dairy free chips for a vegan recipe)
Preparation
- Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips.
- Add chocolate chips and shape into balls.
- Place treats on a plate or a small platter with a cover (saran wrap or aluminum foil). Let refrigerate for a couple of hours.
- Eat and enjoy! The treats will stay fresh for a week in the fridge.
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Becca Eisenberg is a certified speech language pathologist and mom of two.Through her own personal challenges at mealtime with her two young children she ventured on creating a website to help parents facilitate language and make mealtime fun. Her website gravitybread.com focuses on facilitating and encouraging language with fun and easy recipes, educational books and recommended toys and apps.
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