This no-bake, Protein Energy Bites Snack Recipe is just the fix when you need a quick dose of natural energy!
...without a too-much-sugar-penalty to your FRESH eating plan!
It's a go-to favorite in our house for a quick power snack that also satisfies a sweet tooth!
Since it’s made of all 3 vital food groups: protein, fiber, and healthy fats - it is truly a “power combo” food.
These bites are chewy and just barely sweet, but not too much - hubby Juan is the official Protein Energy Bites maker in our house, and he has truly perfected this recipe over the years.
These bites are “no bakes”… just one reason why we love this delicious recipe!
It's a flexible recipe, too - if you end up omitting one of the dry ingredients (such as coconut or ground flaxseed) just add in some "extra" of any other dry ingredient is remaining in the recipe (for example, the oats.) If you feel like they come out too dry, add in a drizzle of extra honey or peanut butter. Although it’s also not required to refrigerate this dough, it helps the balls stick together much better. We think they are also tastier if they are a bit chilled!
Protein Energy Bites Snack Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups (dry) old-fashioned oatmeal
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (to satisfy a sweet tooth, use sweetened)
3/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter (or any other nut butter of your choice)
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
swirl of raw honey (about 1/4 cup if you prefer to measure)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
1/3 cup MINI chocolate chips (optional)
Optional add-ins: sliced or slivered almonds, craisins, raisins, pepitas/pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds
NOTE: anytime you add in more dry ingredients, you need to add a bit of the wet ones, like coconut oil, nut butter or maple syrup to even it out and keep them moldable.
Instructions
Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. (You can use disposable gloves, rub a bit of coconut oil on them, so that forming the bites into firm balls is easier.)
Store in a glass container (preferred) or gallon Ziploc or airtight container. You can keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Makes about 20 ball-like bites.
Another way to make forming the bites easier: Cover and let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for half an hour before trying to form the ball-like bites. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1 1/2" in diameter, to keep portions in check.)
Another Tip: I would caution against substituting agave nectar for the honey, as the honey’s thickness helps hold things together, and as most of you know, I don’t much appreciate agave nectar LOL!
After you make these, let us know…