Here we are in our first full week of school (last week was short due to the Holiday). The kids are both doing so well, but our schedule has officially picked up with the addition of after school activities like gymnastics, church class and soccer twice-a-week for both kids.
The kids come home starving as it is, but now that we go straight to another activity I have to keep the house well stocked with healthy snacks. One of their favorites is the snack balls I make in a variety of flavors- they often have some sort of dried fruit, some form of nuts and/or oatmeal.
Since I’ve had oatmeal raisin cookies on my mind, I decided to make a healthier version by creating these no-bake oatmeal raisin snack balls. What I love about them is that there is no added sugar, just naturally sweetened raisins! I know, I know… not exactly like homemade buttery oatmeal raisin cookies, but definitely a figure-friendly alternative.
I always have a bag of California raisins in the pantry- they make a great choice for healthy, on-the-go snacking and you can use them is so many ways. I love adding raisins to oatmeal, muffins, trail mix, granola, quick breads, etc. The whole family loves them and it’s such an affordable dried fruit.
What I also love about raisins is the ingredient list…..raisins! Yep, that’s it. No added sugar or other unnecessary ingredients just all-natural, sun-dried fruit you can feel good about feeding your kids.
California raisins have a great nutritional profile too- they have no cholesterol and offer 9% of your daily fiber and potassium and 6% of your daily iron (per quarter cup serving).
For this recipe, I ground half of the raisins in the food processor for the base of the mixture and added the other half whole into the “dough”. They are not overly sweet, have a nice cinnamon flavor and are definitely satisfying. I love how easy they are to make, great to grab for on-the-go snacking and the kids loved them. Everybody wins!
Visit www.loveyourraisins.com for more information about California Raisins and find us on Facebook at http://clvr.li/1tmy3j2 where you can sign up to receive a California Raisins prize pack! Limited supply; while quantities last.
[Tweet “Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Balls #SnackToSchool #LoveYourRaisins via @nutritiouseats”]
- 1 cup dried rolled oats (divided) (use Gluten Free oats if necessary)
- ⅔ cup raisins (divided)
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened dried coconut
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 heaping tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon water
- In food processor, add ⅔ cup of the oats, ⅓ cup of raisins, peanut butter, dried coconut, vanilla, coconut oil, cinnamon and water. Process for ~15 seconds or the mixture starts to come together.
- Transfer mixture to a bowl. Stir remaining ⅓ cup oats, ⅓ cup raisins. Stir well to combine or knead with hands (this method is easier to get mixture to stick together). Scoop out ~1 Tablespoon of the mixture, using your hands roll it into a ball, proceed to to scoop and roll with the rest of the mixture. Store balls in air tight container in the refrigerator.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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These look great! I love oatmeal raisin cookies and I love how these look!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..We Reached the Beach!
Thanks girl!
I have never in my life been a raisin fan, that being said, everything else in this recipe – BRING IT! Pop em in my mouthhhh! 😉
GiGi Eats recently posted..Gobble Up These Turbutkles!
Well when the raisins are ground you will not be able to tell they are raisins! So maybe ground them all and omit the whole ones!
I’m usually a chocolate chip cookie fan but sometimes oatmeal raisin just hits the spot. Such a comfort food! Add in nut butter and I’m a happy camper!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Reach the Beach Relay Recap {Leg 2}
I agree. I always use chocolate so it was nice to do something different and the kiddos really enjoyed them….even though they did think the raisins were chocolate chips at first sight. 😉
love these! These would be perfect to take on our plane ride!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..Falling for Fall
Yes! Heathy snacks are a must when traveling. Where are you headed?
Yum! I loved your cashew chocolate chip cookie balls (and so does my husband) nd these are such a fun fall version!
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog recently posted..Why I love mornings (and how you can too! Probably.)
Thanks Natalie! They are great for all ages!
These sound delicious, Melanie! I love having little energy bites to take on the go, too’! Can’t wait to try these
Thanks Amy! They are definitely perfect for grab-n-go!
These look and sound amazing! I need to make them.
Yum, these look delightful! The fact that these tasty treats can be tailored to specific allergens is a great bonus!
What can you use in place of the coconut oil?
You might be able to get by without it. Or try a small squeeze of honey…or another oil, but I don’t think you would HAVE to have it.
I am sharing this recipe and some of your other energy ball recipes with some ladies I coach. One has a family member allergic to coconut. What would you sub instead or could you just leave it out?
Hey Gretchen- thanks! I would try substituting additional dried fruit and nuts (she could stick with cashews, almonds, more apricots or dates, or add in pistachios, raisins, etc.) in the same amount (in this case an 1 cup).