Snacks

Monster Cookie Energy Bites

August 16, 2019 by Ashley Lecker 9 Comments

Today’s post is sponsored by Barlean’s, Hamilton Beach, and Rhodes Bread as well as Crispy Green, The Spice House, and PackIt. However, all opinions are my own. #ad #Back2School

Monster Cookie Energy Bites are a great boost for an after school snack! Packed with oats, creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, and m&ms make a fast favorite treat everyone will love!

Today is my last post for the #Back2School event! I loved coming up with different back to school recipes to enjoy as the school year gets closer. Check out the giveaway after the recipe and enter to win an amazing prize package!

I am sharing my recipe for Monster Cookie Energy Bites. I love monster cookies because they are packed full of all sorts of goodies! This recipe is a no-bake recipe that is still packed with all the yummy goodies from the cookies- oatmeal, creamy peanut butter, mini chocolate chip, mini m&m’s, and a touch of honey. This is a great recipe to make with your kiddos, and a great energy bite during snack-time. This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, and can be stored in the fridge in between snacks!

These bites are also freezer friendly! Toss them on a lined cookie sheet and freeze. Transfer to a sealable bag.

I know what the critics say, that isn’t an energy bite- it is a cookie! To that I say: stop killing the fun and pass me a Monster Cookie Energy Bite! In our house mini M&M’s bring everything a little more joy.

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What do you need to make Monster Cookie Energy Bites?!

Quick cook oats- you can use old fashion, but my kids prefer the texture of quick cook
Honey
Peanut butter- I use creamy, but crunchy works too
Mini chocolate chips
Mini m&m’s

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use old fashion oats in this recipe?

Yes! You can use old fashion oats, and I think they work well. My kiddos prefer the texture of the quick cook oats

Can I use regular sized chocolate chips and M&M’s?

I recommend using mini over regular sized. If you do not have another option I would chop the chocolate mix-ins.

My dough is sticky and hard to roll, any tips?

Yes! Make sure you chill the dough prior to rolling because it will be easier to work with. If you are still having problems spray you hands with a little cooking spray to help with sticking.

Can I add additional mix-ins like quinoa or flax?

Absolutely, it will alter the flavor, but it will work well in the energy bite.

Can I use almond butter?

Yes, you can sub in any nut butter for the peanut butter.

Can I freeze these?

Yes! Toss them on a lined cookie sheet and freeze. Transfer to a sealable bag.

Looking for more delicious snacks?!

Dilly Ranch Oyster Crackers

Pizza Muffins

Mini Everything Bagel Dogs

Monster Cookie Energy Bites

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Appetizer, Back to School

Prep Time 10 minutes

fridge time 20 minutes

Servings 24 energy bites

Ingredients

3 cups quick cook oats
1/3 cup honey
1 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup mini m&m's

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a medium bowl. Gently mix with a spatula. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place in a parchment lined container.
Serve or place in fridge till ready to eat.

#Back2School Recipe Inspiration

It’s hard to believe it’s already time to be talking about going back to school! It seems like summer just flew right by! To celebrate and help get you ready for this busy time, we’ve got loads of great back to school recipe ideas for you, along with an awesome giveaway.For more amazing #Back2School recipes, please follow our #Back2School Pinterest board. Be sure to also check out my fellow bloggers participating all week long for more delicious dishes!Blogghetti, Bowl Me Over, Cindy’s Recipes and Writings, Cheese Curd In Paradise, Cooking With Carlee, Doodlecraft, Everyday Eileen, Family Around the Table, Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks, Karen’s Kitchen Stories, Mandatory Mooch, Palatable Pasttime, The Schmidty Wife, and Wendy Polisi.GIVEAWAY IMAGE

#Back2School Giveaway

The giveaway includes the following prizes:

Omega Pal’s Prize Pack from Barleans
1 item (winner’s choice from featured products) from Hamilton Beach
Cookbook and coupons from Rhodes Bread
4 six-pack bags of Crispy Fruit snacks (mixed flavors) from Crispy Green
Best Sellers Collection Gift Box from The Spice House
Freezable Lunch Bag + Mod Lunch Bento from PackIt

Official Rules and Conditions: One (1) winner will be chosen. Prize must be claimed within 48 hours of announcement or a new winner will be drawn. Open to US residents 18+ only. All entries will be verified. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Rafflecopter, or any other entity unless otherwise specified. Giveaway ends 08/21/2019. Enter using the widget below.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dried Beef and Green Onion Cheese Ball

December 30, 2018 by Ashley Lecker 5 Comments

Do you need a killer appetizer or maybe a little snack for a few round robins during New Year festivities? My Dried Beef and Green Onion Cheese Ball is perfect for a quick appetizer, or maybe a few drop in guests.

My aunt always made a cheese ball similar to this during the holidays, and it was one of my favorite snacks when we visited during the holidays. Perfect to grab from the fridge, and super easy clean-up.

So what is a cheese ball? My husband never had a cheese ball before, and when I was describing it to him he was skeptical, but once he tried this cheese ball I think he ate half of it. I recently made another one for him to munch on while he watches t.v. at night. Side note: I still haven’t found season 13 of Criminal Minds. If anyone can tell me where I can watch it I have a special prize for you.

This cheese ball is loaded is creamy cream cheese, salty dried beef, zesty ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and a spice from sliced fresh green onions. That is it! I have seen some recipes that use a different seasoning blend, but I find the flavors of the buttermilk ranch packet to be perfect for me (and clearly my husband). Once assembled, the cheese ball is wrapped and sets in the fridge. Once it is set, unwrap and serve! So nice and simple!

I am planning to make another cheese ball to have out during New Year’s since my husband will have the other one devoured pretty quickly. I know it will be a fast hit with our guests.

Do you have any go to New Year’s appetizers? Anything super simple you want to share with this mom?? Since the boys will be with us quick and easy is the name of my game.

Wisconsin is having a cold snap, and we are getting towards the end of the boys winter break. I know that I am getting ready for the boys to go back to school, but overall it has been a really nice week with the boys and we had a chance to spend quality time together- last night included going out for tacos and going to an open swim!

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Check out more delicious New Year’s appetizers:

Glazed Smoked Sausage and Pineapple Bites

Everything Bagel Spread

Cranberry Brie and Rosemary Bites

Perfect Deviled Eggs

Dried Beef and Green Onion Cheese Ball

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Cheese, easy appetizer, Holiday, Tailgating

Prep Time 10 minutes

Chilling Time 2 hours

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 12 people

Ingredients

16 oz plain cream cheese, room temperature
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
.4 oz buttermilk ranch seasoning packet
2 oz package dried beef, chopped
6 green onion, sliced

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and ranch seasoning till smooth.
Next, stir in the beef and green onion. Gently stir till the mixture is evenly mixed.
Cut a 12-inch piece of plastic wrap and then cut a second of the same size. Create a cross shape. Repeat this once more. This will allow you to easily wrap the cheese ball and get a round shape.
Place the cheese mixture in the center of the plastic wrap. Wrap in the sides until the cheese is secure and round it gently with your hands. Place on a plate in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours before serving. Once opened the cheese ball will keep for about a week and a half if stored in an air tight container.
To serve, unwrap and place on a plate. Serve with crackers and veggies.

Cheese Ball on a plate- pinterest graphic

Dilly Ranch Oyster Crackers

December 22, 2018 by Ashley Lecker 5 Comments

Looking for a quick, easy, and addictive snack to add to your holiday spread, tailgate party, or movie night? Dilly Ranch Oyster Crackers are one of my favorite snacks to make.

These little crackers are ready in about 20 minutes, and are delicious. I use ranch seasoning and a little dried dill. I add a bit of lemon pepper seasoning and garlic at the end for a little zing into these herby crackers. My boys love to munch on these during the holidays, but I also love to bring them to our tailgates, and they are great to snack on for a movie night with the kiddos.

To me, perfect snacks are easy to put together and this recipe checks that box. Everything goes into a sealable bag and is tossed till coated. It is them baked to get the crispy crunchy crackers everyone in my house loves. I keep my flavors pretty mellow, but you could add in a bit of crushed red pepper to give your crackers a little fire if you like your snacks a little spicy!

We are in holiday prep mode at our house. I finished the last of my finals this week, and finally feel like I can take a breath before jumping into the holidays. That being said….I have not wrapped a single gift. Perhaps everyone is going to get Amazon boxes this Christmas. In all honesty, I don’t think my kids would care. They would likely think I was being funny and the whole “I ran out of time thing” would go completely over their heads. Moral of the story: don’t feel bad if you are behind. I am right there with you!

What are some of your favorite holiday snacks? Any standby quick recipes I need to add to my arsenal?

Dilly Ranch Oyster Crackers

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Appetizer, crackers, Holiday, snacks

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 10 people

Ingredients

12 oz bag oyster crackers
1 tsp dried dill
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 oz packet ranch seasoning packet
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 250°F.
In a small bowl, add the dill, oil, ranch seasoning, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until competently mixed.
Place crackers in a sealable gallon bag. Pour in seasoning mix over crackers. Seal and gently toss to coat.
Arrange the crackers on a rimmed sheet pan in a single layer (do not grease).
Bake the crackers for 15 minutes or until golden.