Easy No-Bake Energy Bars Kids Can Make

Holidays, weekend sleep-overs or family night, kitchens are often the place to congregate, especially for kids. Not only do they come to eat, many want to help with whatever you are doing. So make things that you know they can make like these Easy No Bake Energy Bars.

You may have a bigger mess in the kitchen, but I promise it will be worth it in the end because the memories you will be making are priceless. The Easy No Bake Energy bars are a nutritious treat that are simple to make even for kids! Some of them might even be able to do it without help from an adult.

No-Bake Energy Boosting Granola Bars

* 2 ½ cups of rolled oats (standard or gluten-free)

* 1 ½ cups of pre-toasted nuts (your family favorites)

* 1/4 cup of shredded coconut

* ½ cup of raisins

* 6 tablespoons of salted butter

* 1 cup of brown sugar

* 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon

* 6 tablespoons of honey

* 2 tablespoon of molasses

* 7 x 11 inch pan

* Parchment paper

* Plastic wrap

In a large bowl, add the nuts, coconut and raisins.

In a microwave safe bowl, bring the butter, sugar, cinnamon, honey and molasses to a boil. Immediately pour it over the oats, nuts and raisins. Carefully stir until everything is evenly coated. Allow the mixture to cool until you can handle it.

Line a 7 x 11 inch pan with parchment paper. Spoon the mixture onto the pan. Granola bars are compact so using your fingers, firmly press the mixture to make an even layer across the pan. Cover the pan lightly with plastic wrap and place it into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour or until completely cooled.

Once cooled, remove from the refrigerator and cut into 16 bars. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap or place them in an air-tight container. Store them at room temperature.

If more than one child is helping, you can assign each child a particular task. For instance one can read the directions while another one measures. If you plan ahead, you can even have them help create your custom recipe, shop for the ingredients as well as prepare it, giving them the opportunity to brag about doing it all on their own from start to finish.

This no-bake recipe is a great project to do when hosting a sleep-over. It will give the children something to focus their attention on so they aren’t hollering that they are bored and they will have healthy treat to snack during their stay.

Double it, triple it, make as much as you want. Easy No-Bake Energy Boosting Granola Bars is a perfect way to let your kids help in the kitchen.