Our boys are currently going through a stage called eating everything all of the time.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s testing both my creative cooking abilities and our budget.
So it may not surprise you that I’m a sight to behold at Costco.
You can’t miss me: I’m the one with groceries piled high and spilling over the edges of my wagon. (I know most of America calls them “shopping carts” but here in Hawaii they are “wagons.”) I’ve never been gifted with organizational skills, so that adds to the half-hazard-overflowing-wagon-scene. The other problem is I don’t get to Costco as often as I ought to, so by the time I go, I need it all: Meat, cereal, paper towels (which alone would take up the whole wagon), shampoo, dog food, some Christmas candy (it’s not too soon, right?) and everything else.
As I push my wagon to the checkout line, (hardly able to see over the top) people stare at me, curiosity in their eyes. Or is it sympathy? Or maybe admiration (I must appear very strong?) And there’s always some well-meaning older Uncle that will remark “You must be really hungry, hehe…” or “You feeding an army there sister?” I just smile, trying not to run smarty-pants the funny Uncle over…
Then in the parking lot, as I try to make my way to the car, it never fails something falls off the front of the wagon, giving me one last chance to make a scene. I stop traffic, run around to scoop up the laundry detergent, or case of water bottles or the big box of tampons while trying to figure out a place to shove them for the last twenty feet until I make it to my car. Most often in my self-conscious-rushed state I can’t find anywhere to put the item, and decide to just carry it in one arm while pushing with the other, which ends up an even worse scene than before.
Yeah…I’m sorta a mess at Costco.
By the time I get into my car I am sweaty and exhausted and feel kinda like I ought to be greeted with a gold medal and a cold beverage.
But instead I just have to load all of the stuff into the car and drive home. (Thank goodness for hungry boys at home to help unload.)
I don’t know why I just painted that humbling picture of my Costco-self, but I guess I’m just thinking about how much my boys eat and the fact that I’m always looking for:
ONE. MORE. HEARTY SNACK RECIPE.
I have two teenagers in the house currently, and Luke will be a teen in a few short months.
I know people warned me about this stuff, but it’s no joke: Teenage boys can eat. And surfing for hours at a time only adds to the pure starvation.
So in this house it’s all about meals, followed by meals, followed by a bowl of cereal, and then “do you have any snacks, Mom?”
Besides fresh fruit from our property, I often make energy bars/balls or Uncle (Dr.) Ted’s nut bars. Yes, there are the daily smoothies, and I love to bake muffins or bread too.
But then there are days where I just want to make something the boys love, but skip the chopping, grinding, blending and fussing. Days where I can’t take the time to get all involved in the kitchen, but I know the boys need something yummy and filling.
AND THAT, my friends, is where these four-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal bars are just PERFECTION.
You can literally whip these up in five minutes flat. And…you very likely have all of the ingredients to make them in your pantry right NOW.
There is no baking, blending, or even heating.
You just stir ’em up, put them in a pan, and refrigerate for an hour (or skip the fridge and let kids dive in with a spoon already.)
My boys absolutely love these bars.
I hope you make them and your kids love them too.
My original inspiration for this recipe came from this post at 100 Days of Real Food. I’ve played around with a variety of cereals in them, and really you cannot go wrong. In this batch I used the Special K with dark chocolate chunks which I happened to think was delicious. (Last week I made them with Cheerios and they were excellent too.)
Here’s the printable recipe:
- 1½ cup peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- 1½ cups uncooked oats
- 1½ cup cereal of choice
- Combine all ingredients and spread in an 8X8 (or 9X9) inch pan (lined with parchment or wax paper for easier cleanup.)
- Press down and refrigerate for one hour.
- Cut into squares and ENJOY!
Let me know how you like them. And if you ever happen to see me at Costco, feel free to offer a hug. (though I’ll totally understand you if you pretend you don’t know me. )
With Aloha,
Monica
This was really funny to read and put a smile on my face after a long day with the kids and all that is involved with running a home
Thanks !! You must be so blessed to grow fruit .. where I live the main road is right outside and there is no room for a garden . Happy mum ing ..
Can you use light corn syrup in place of the maple syrup?
Sara– Great question. I am guessing a big YES, but I honestly haven’t tried it so hate to say…Maybe you can try it and let me know!
Hi Monica I have been following you & your lovely family a couple months now & thoroughly enjoy all your witticisms, life stories & antics you post. I laughed out loud at reading this post for two reasons 1st one is the never ending feeding of boys I only have the one 12yr old & he eats enough so goodness knows how you cope with your boy brood. We usually have some of his friends around at some point over the week & usually have the one good mate who generally stops nearly every weekend so can thoroughly commiserate to the empty cupboard syndrome lol.
The 2nd is the shopping experience, I live in the U.K so we have shopping “trolleys” & oh goodness do I always get the worst one. Can guarantee lines & lines of trolleys available but I always seem to get a dodgy wheel one which has its own warped twisted mind of its own where your continually veering to one side or it will suddenly pick up speed to deliberately crash into someone else lol. Oh the woes & fun of shopping & no in my opinion it’s never too early to start buying the Xmas goodies😃I totally love Xmas. Can’t wait to try the recipe. Have a great day & take care to you & yours xxx
This recipe looks like a winner! Am I the only one who has trouble keeping my GIRLS full?? They eat constantly (ok, kinda me)! They are 15 and 17, a cheerleader and dancer respectively. Maybe I need to start crazy Costco visits!
Thanks Monica!
I really enjoy your blog!! Thank you!! Can’t wait to try this recipe for my kiddos!
Thank you Lisa! That means a lot to me. Hope your kids love them! Much aloha and glad to “meet” you here. 🙂 XO
I made these last night and had one (or two) for breakfast this morning! I love them. I added a little bit of flax to them too. 🙂
Monica,
I am so glad you posted this. I was just looking at this very recipe today in the newest 100 DoRF cookbook and wanted to make it. But the cereal she used has been discontinued. I like that you’ve tried it with Special K and Cheerios and shared how they turned out.
Oh that’s great Andrea! Fun timing for sure! Yep, I think my boys like it best with flakes but Cheerios definitely work too. Much aloha and hope you enjoy!
Thank you for the recipe and ideas! I have a teenage son who plays water polo and is growing like a weed, so he’s ravenous all the time–I needed some good quick snack ideas, and these are perfect!
Perfect Sarah, so glad you happened by these then. I bet water polo is so much fun. I wish there was a chance for my boys to try it but none available around here. :/ Much aloha to you and your hungry teen!
Oh man this cracked me up. I thought i was the only one whose trips to Costco are utterly slapstick.
This pb bar recipe looks GREAT! Thank you so much!! I enjoy your blog a lot!
Thank you TJ!! 🙂 Someone could probably make a great video highlighting all of us crazies at Costco! 😉 Thanks for the comment, I feel better already. aloha-
I am going to try to do this with my granola. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Oh yum!! Please let me know how that turns out. Great idea! 🙂 Aloha to you Sandie!
Can’t wait to try these! So easy and versatile. I feel like it is part of all of us moms to be a Costco mess. It never fails for me either!! 😊 Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks Nicole. Funny how you feel like you’re the only one at Costoc, but yeah–probably everyone has the same thoughts! 🙂 Much aloha to you and thanks for stopping in…Hope your kids love the bars!
I am seriously making these tonight! I fight between wanting the boys to not snack, because they often leave stuff on their plates at dinner, to wanting to let them snack because I know they are growing and need the nourishment. I guess a “healthy” snack is probably the good middle ground. My older guy is almost 11 and my little is 7. Not quite into the Costco trip season yet. Thanks for this super simple recipe! I’ll bet its filling too!
I have two cross country teenage boys (14 &16) in the house and I go grocery shopping 3-4 times a week. Our fridge and freezer are always empty and I don’t understand what happens to all the food!!! Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning with your Costco shopping story. I’m right there with you.
This will be our snack as we watch our beloved Cubbies battle for victory in game 7 of the World Series tonight! History in the making!! Thanks
Big hit and I even ran short on the maple syrup ( added about 1/8 cup) and no complaints. This will be a go to, for sure!
Thanks for the simple recipe! I have two growing boys myself, 10 and almost 12. I am also a Costco mess…4 kids in tow, paper towels and toilet paper filling the entire basket, 600ish boxes of cereal with a ton of milk to go with it, bread hanging over the sides. Then I usually run something over in the parking lot that fell out of my basket, the latest being the deli pizza! Haha! I’m thankful for those hungry kids though!
Looks great! What cereal do you use the most for these?
Just a basic flake cereal! Special K or any healthy version of that! You’ll love them! thanks Amy!