When you have little hands wanting to help you in the kitchen, Loaded No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Balls are perfect to make.
The kids love getting their hands in the kitchen. No-bake recipes are perfect. They can even help with these Chocolate Coconut Drop Cookies.
Who doesn’t love sleepover at gramma and grampa’s? I know when I was a kid, I welcomed every opportunity I got to sleep at baba’s house. After all, grandparents let you get away with so much stuff. Plus, they make you all of your favourite things to eat too.
If you are like us, grandchildren hold a very special place in our hearts. When you have kids, they grow so quickly. I know there are times when you wish they would grow faster (or just decide to cling onto someone else for a day).
They grow from baby to toddler, then kindergarten to high school in a blink of an eye. The day you take them (and leave them) at university will be one of the most emotional days of your life. Both hubby and I cried all the way home when we left our youngest at Queen’s. OMG that has been over 15 years ago, and we still cry when we talk about it. That feeling of not seeing them every day, or being there to take care of them when they are sick takes some time to get used to.
So as the world turns, your kids grow up, leave home, get married, and if you are REALLY LUCKY, have kids of their own. Now you are a grandparent, a whole new and exciting chapter in your life. Your house will again have toys in the family room, is Christmas morning is a very busy time, and if you have pets that are used to peace and quiet, they run and hide and say “OMG when are they going home?”
HELPING IN THE KITCHEN
When I was a kid, there was nothing I enjoyed more than helping my baba in the kitchen. I was lucky that she lived close by. So close, that I walked to her house every day after school to visit. It was always exciting to see what she made for me that day. Those special times shared are something I will treasure for the rest of my life.
I knew that if I ever had the chance to be a gramma, bonding and creating special memories with grandchildren would be so important for me and them. We have been blessed with 2 awesome grandchildren, and like when I was young, we live very close and get to see them whenever we like.
PEANUT BUTTER, OATMEAL & CHOCOLATE
You can visit my cupboards anytime, and always find peanut butter, oatmeal and chocolate in them. These 3 ingredients can be used in so many recipes, from sweet to savoury, nutritious to decadent. Do you have a “chocoholic” in your house? I have 2, my oldest daughter and my husband. Guess things really do get passed down from generation to generation. Balances out for us since I am more of a savoury gal, and so is my youngest daughter. Turns out the grandkids are following suit. Owen has a sweet tooth, and Ainsley is a savoury little girl.
Healthy granola bars and chocolate oatmeal are some of my favourite ways to enjoy chocolate. When you can combine these 2 ingredients into a nutritious recipe, that is right up my alley.
I am a peanut butter lover (along with bread, cheese and wine). I can eat it by the spoonful. Even though I am not a chocoholic, the peanut butter/chocolate combo is one I adore. I do try to combine it in healthy recipes like Banana Chocolate Roundup, but if you really want to indulge, Milk Chocolate Peanut Bites should be on your “must make” list.
SLEEPOVER WEEKEND
This past weekend was sleepover weekend. Mom and dad got some much deserved time alone. Gramma and grampa got some special bonding time to create those special memories. The kids LOVED their time here, and Owen is already looking at the calendar to set the date for the next time.
Keeping them busy with fun things to do makes for an enjoyable weekend. Since I want that time in the kitchen to be special, No Bake Cookie Balls were the perfect things to get those little hands helping with. They do have some nutrition (oatmeal and peanut butter), with some added candy bits. You can’t have a sleepover without candy right?
How easy are these to make? VERY! Dump all the ingredients into a bowl, mix to combine, and shape into balls. My 5 and 2 year old sous chefs had no trouble making these. They also had no trouble eating the candy pieces along the way too. I kept reminding them to make sure some of those pieces get into the cookies.
Cookies were not all we did. Dinosaur fossils happened too. Making the dough, shaping into fossils and baking required more kitchen help. Painting the finished product was so much fun. All dinosaurs have glitter (well according to my granddaughter they do), makes them look authentic right?
It was a successful weekend all around. Grampa made popcorn in his special popcorn machine. The request for hot dogs and corn on the cob for dinner was a hit, and Grampa’s bacon and eggs on the BBQ for breakfast was devoured in no time flat. The kids LOVE bacon made with delicious Ontario Pork.
If you need to keep little hands busy, Loaded No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Balls will do the trick. Balancing nutrition and treats is a fun and delicious way to say: Sleepover at Gramma’s is SO MUCH FUN!
Do you have some special memories with your grandparents?
Loaded No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups oatmeal ( I used old fashioned)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup agave nectar
- 1 tablespoons cocoa
- ⅓ cup mini M & M candy pieces
- ⅓ cup mini Reese's candy pieces
Instructions
- In a bowl add the oatmeal, cocoa, peanut butter and agave nectar. Mix well.
- Add both types of candy pieces. Mix well.
- Using a medium sized cookie scoop, (or you can eyeball the amount), scoop out some of the mixture into your hand.
- Squeeze together, and roll into a ball.
- Place in a container, or on a baking tray and let harden.
- Store in a sealed container or ziplock bag.
- ENJOY!!
Michelle Gwynn Jones
I love peanut butter oatmeal cookies. The added M&Ms and Reeses Pieces add a nice touch of color 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Well the kids love the addition of the candies too…they kept eating them as they were making the cookies.
mira
These look amazing! Can’t wait to try them!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks for stopping by….ENJOY!!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
So much fun! My kids go to their grandparents’ houses often and it is awesome for all involved!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is fun for everyone…cannot get enough of these cute kids.
Corina Blum
These look amazing! I don’t remember baking with my grandma but I do remember eating all her baking and one day I want to be a grandma who bakes with her grandkids!
Homemade & Yummy
Being a gramma is the best thing in the world!!
Megan @ Megunprocessed
How fun! They look yummy!
Homemade & Yummy
We had lots of fun making them for sure.
Swathi
These are bite sized cuties loaded with good ingredients, peanut butter, oatmeal, M&Ms yum . I think I can make ahead some for my kids lunch box.
Homemade & Yummy
I’m sure they would love them.
April
Oh how cool! Looks like you and your grand-kids had tons of fun! I love that they are so easy to make. I love to make granola but my kids don’t like it but I think they would love these especially if they can see that their made with candy.
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…candy wins every time.
Teri
These look so perfect. I bet they would make cute little wrapped Halloween treats for parties, too. My family will love this recipe and I can’t wait to give them a try.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they would work well for Halloween….hope you give them a try.
Teri
These look so perfectly yummy. I love how you involved the kids. I bet these would make cute little Halloween treats, too. Can’t wait to try these cookie balls.
Homemade & Yummy
They would make great holiday treats for sure.
Karyn
A brilliant bake to do with kids..it looks like a very easy recipe. Baking with Grandma is always the best
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH….yes I love my time with them, and I hope we are making wonderful memories together.
Azlin Bloor
These are just so much fun to make and eat, and they look so good too. I love that you can take them with you anywhere you like!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they are very portable…and a delicious treat anytime of the day.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum!! That looks delicious and so easy to make!
Homemade & Yummy
They were fun and easy for sure.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Looks like you had lots of fun. This would be something my grandsons would love. It would be a great snack for school or when traveling. Heck!! I could see me popping one or two of those in my mouth.
Homemade & Yummy
It was a great weekend…fun for everyone.
Veronika
I always love no bake desserts, they are easy to make (especially with kids) and taste amazing!
Homemade & Yummy
They are a fun treat for little hands to make and eat.
Kiki
These looks soooo yummy! The perfect recipe to make with kids! One question: Can I substitute agave nectar with maple syrup or honey in this recipe? Thanks so much in advance
Cheers, Kiki
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…honey would work great, and I don’t see why maple syrup would not work too.