So as a mom of two with a third on the way I got to this point of being fed up with buying granola bars. Sure, they are convenient. But do they have any real nutritional value?

Not to mention the packaging waste, and the often unnecessary added sugars.

As an avid baker I don’t have anything against sugar. I love sugar! It’s a beautiful and incredible ingredient. But I began to realize that when I am not in control, i. e. knowing when and where and what sort is added, it sneaks into all sorts of food marketed for children—my children, and others. And that goes for a lot of other ingredients.

I’m not gonna get all clean and healthy on you here, because that’s not really my platform or my spiel. I’m just trying to give the background of how I came around to these chocolate, peanut butter and fig energy balls as a kitchen staple that I feel better about.

Their name kind of gives it away… I’m not pretending these are particularly healthy. But they taste good, I know exactly what’s in them, they have healthy fats and fiber, they are easy to grab and go, and my girls go nuts over them. What more could you want??

Chocolate, peanut butter & fig energy balls

Makes two dozen 1-inch balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (5-6 oz; about 10) whole dried figs

• 1/2 cup (2 oz) oats

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup dry milk or protein powder

• 1/4 cup honey

• 3/4 cup peanut butter

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

• pinch of kosher salt

Directions:

1. Place figs and oats in a food processor and process until mixture forms a crumbly paste. (I find the oats help the figs from becoming too sticky and impossible to get out.) Add dried cranberries and chocolate chips and pulse 10-15 times more.

2. Transfer to a kitchen aid or large mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients. Use the paddle attachment (or your hands!) to stir until completely combined. Taste and adjust to your preference…depending on the saltiness of the peanut butter, I tend to add more salt. Honestly, I don’t usually measure my ingredients so at this point I’ll add a little more of this, a little more of that, until it tastes good to me. If it’s too wet or sticky, throw in more whole oats. If it’s too dry, a squirt of honey will help.

3. Roll into 1-inch size balls. (My 2yo is particularly delighted when I roll them smaller, like 1/2 inch, but that means more time spent rolling!) Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy!

Notes:

• variations: the variations are of course endless. I started out using a simple ratio of peanut butter, honey, powder and oats and I’ve developed this recipe from there. Dates are an obvious swap for the figs, but I just love the fig-newton-like chew and slight crunch from the fruit’s seeds. Sometimes I throw in or swap out with what I have from the pantry, either as part of the puréed base or as a mix in. Things like: apricots, nuts and seeds, almond butter, maple syrup or agave nectar, etc. I’m sure there are more healthy things you can pack in there, but that’s for you to discover!