What’s your go-to snack? We tend to crave something a little sweet, but also high in protein and fiber with nutrient dense ingredients that will provide long lasting energy. April’s theme for The Recipe Redux is “Bars and Bites: healthy recipes that will travel. Our energy bites are simple to make, healthy and most importantly: a hit with our kids too!
We test-tasted these at our neighborhood Easter party, and all the little bunnies who tried them approved! If allergies are a concern, you may easily swap out the peanut butter with a different type of nut butter or sunflower butter, and swap the almond meal for flax seed. If you or your kids are not a fan of coconut, feel free to omit that ingredient as well. We made a portion without the coconut for those who weren’t fans.
These nutrient-rich bites provided just the burst of healthy energy to power our little bunnies through an egg hunt, arts and crafts and animal show without a sugar crash at the end.
These energy bites are the perfect pre-workout snack or sweet-tasting dessert option without a ton of sugar and empty calories. They are quick and easy so you can make a big batch to store in your fridge or freezer. Kids love helping by measuring and stirring the ingredients as well as rolling them in the coconut flakes. They’re easy to throw into lunch boxes or pop in your mouth on the way out the door.
Coconut Cookie Dough Energy Bites
These healthy bites taste like a sweet treat, but are full of protein, fiber and provide long-lasting energy. Recipe makes around 30 bites.
Ingredients
- 1.5 c natural peanut butter
- 1/2 c pure maple syrup
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 c rolled oats
- 1/4 c almond meal
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 c dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 c unsweetened coconut flakes optional, for topping
Instructions
-
Place nut butter and maple syrup in bowl and microwave for about 45 seconds to create more liquid consistency, stir in vanilla extract
-
In separate bowl, mix in all other ingredients (except coconut flakes)
-
Mix dry ingredients together with wet, evenly incorporate
-
Roll into small, bite-sized balls
-
Roll in unsweetened coconut flakes, if desired, for additional layer of flavor and texture
-
Store in refrigerator or freezer
We’ll be tossing these in our lunchboxes and reaching for these bites for a healthy mid-afternoon snack to help us power through our workdays from now on. Our kids also requested these be on hand for snacks before their after-school sports practices. Win-win!
For other healthy portable snack recipes check out:
2 Comments
Kate
April 24, 2019 at 2:49 amThese were SO good!
April
April 24, 2019 at 3:01 amYummy! My kids (and me!!) loved them:)