Recently, Ashley and I became friends with Kim and her little girl. As it turns out, Kim is the creator of the blog Crunchy Kim, a delicious composite of her family’s favorite vegan recipes accompanied by mouth-water photos. Her blog offers fresh, easy recipes to add to your arsenal of go-to snacks and meals, whether your family is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free or just trying to eat healthier.
Not only do we love Kim and her daughter, but we love her blog, and we want to share it with you, so … we asked her to come up with some yummy, healthy snacks we can make with our kids and for our kids. Not only did she come up with some, she came up with 15 recipes for you all to try!
Below you’ll find two of Kim’s “Little Hands” recipes, including her date balls. “They’re my (and my daughter’s) favorite,” she told us. Make these recipes with your little chef any day, or as a way to make a rainy day a little bit brighter.
Even Better! Both recipes could also become a sweet homemade holiday gift for friends and families. After you and your child make them, you can package them up and deliver them together, too!
Visit the Crunchy Kim blog for 13 more easy-to-make “Little Hands” recipes!
DATE BALLS
These use only four ingredients, and no cooking is involved. Kim describes them: “They’re gluten-free, vegan happiness rolled into a ball.” The recipe makes 15 balls for little hands.
What you need:
¾ c almonds (Kim used slivered almonds)
1 c dates
¼ c cocoa powder
1 tsp. shredded coconut + more for rolling
2 Tbs. water
The fun part:
Grind the almonds in food processor or machine equivalent. Add in the dates and grind some more. Add cocoa powder and coconut and grind it all again. Add two tablespoons of water and grind one mo’ time. The mixture should be wet and sticky enough to hold together as a ball. If it’s still dry, add a tiny bit of water until you can form a ball. Form the mixture into balls, and roll the balls in shredded coconut. Eat and enjoy!
HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIES
This recipe will makes approximately 24 cookies, depending on size.
What you need:
2 bananas mashed (about 1¼ cup)
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 Tbs. brown sugar
¼ cup apple sauce
3 cups oats (Kim used whole oats, but you can use quick cooking or instant if you like.)
¼ cup flour (whole or white, whatever you have)
2 tsp. baking powder
The fun part:
First, mash the bananas. Add peanut butter, sugar and apple sauce, and mix. Stir in oats, flour and baking powder. (If cookie dough is very dry you can add a tablespoon or so of almond milk, but know
that the dough should be thick.) Roll dough into balls with your hands and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten the dough balls down a bit (the cookies will not spread when baking, just rise a bit). Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, then let them cool before eating.
Mmmm! Enjoy your healthy, homemade snacks. And most of all … have fun!
You can meet Crunchy Kim on the web, on Facebook and on Pinterest, too.
RELATED LINKS:
1. Easy 5-Step Butterfly Craft for Kids … Plus! Butterfly Pancakes and a Butterfly Garden Activity
2. Fun Ideas for Rainy Days
3. Browse our play ideas
Recipes and images © 2012 Crunch Kim blog
