I don't know about you, but when I was growing up, after school snackage was very real. Usually, I'd head for something sugary or calorie laden since I had no supervision. Here are 3 variations of granola oat bites that are extremely fast and easy to put together and are inexpensive to boot! Great for a healthy energy pick me up snack. Each variation makes 12-15 bites. Here's all you need to make them:

Photo byDani

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bites:

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup peanut butter or nut butter of choice
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup honey

In a medium bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, vanilla, nut butter, honey, and chocolate chips, stirring until fully mixed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

Once chilled, roll the mixture into balls about the size of ping pong balls.

Store the bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week and enjoy!

Cranberry Oat Bites:

Photo bypintrest

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 2/3 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup sweetened coconut
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecan
• 1 pinch of sea salt

Pulse the coconut in a food processor until it’s coarsely chopped.

Then, in a medium bowl, mix together the cranberries, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth. Add the oats, pecans, and salt, stirring until everything is evenly combined.

Place the mixture in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls with your hands.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week and enjoy!

Pumpkin Oat Bites:

Photo bypintrest

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1/3 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup, or honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon*
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg*
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger*
• 1 pinch of sea salt

In a medium bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.

Next, add the oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt, stirring until well combined. Place the mixture in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.

After chilling, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls with your hands. Store the bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week and enjoy!

* Notes:

You may also use 1/2-3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.