Protein-Packed Energy Bites for On-the-Go Snacking

Written by Teresa Ayala Leon

Whether you are heading to class or about to clock into your shift, having a quick, healthy, and filling snack option is necessary. Oftentimes, it is easy to forget to grab something healthy and filling when you are on the go. You may find yourself settling for a snack that is not satiating and leaves you hungry.

If this sounds like you, look no further than these no-bake protein-packed energy bites that are nutritious and easily customizable. I make these at the start of my week to have a snack option prepped that is ready in my fridge.

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Full Recipe

Yields: ~20 energy bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats

• ½ cup mini chocolate chips

• ½ cup peanut butter

• ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup

• ½ cup ground flaxseed

Instructions:

1. Stir the oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter, honey, and ground flaxseed in a bowl until well combined.

2. Using a small ice cream scooper or a tablespoon, portion out the oat mixture.

3. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for an hour. Or put them into an airtight container in the fridge overnight.

Flavor Variations:

The best part about this recipe is that it is easily customizable, and you can change it up anytime you want. For instance, you can swap the peanut butter for almond butter or any other nut butter that sounds enticing. The same goes for the mix-ins. You can switch it up from the usual chocolate chips and add coconut flakes, dried fruits, or chopped nuts. To make this recipe even more nutritious, you can add seeds such as chia seeds to boost overall health and vitamin intake. Here are more ideas if you want to switch out your energy bites for the week.

1. Chocolate Coconut

If you are a chocolate lover, this is for you! Customize the energy bite recipe by adding three to four tablespoons of cacao powder and mixing well. For the final touch, once the energy bites are rolled out, roll each of them in coconut flakes for a sweet finish.

2. Matcha Macadamia

If you want more of a caffeine punch in your energy bites, add a couple of tablespoons of matcha powder. Chopped macadamia nuts will also make a great pairing with the matcha flavor and add a crunchy, toasted bite to this snack.

3. Cinnamon Almond

For a sweeter, more addictive alternative, substitute peanut butter with almond butter in this cinnamon almond recipe. Add a couple of dashes of cinnamon to the mixture and a handful of chopped almonds. If you are a fan of almond flavors, try this out for your weekly energy bite rotation.

4. Oatmeal Raisin

The classic oatmeal raisin cookie can also make its way into these energy bites. Simply add a quarter cup of raisins to the mixture. If you’d like to substitute in other nuts or dried fruits such as walnuts or dried cranberries, that is also an option!

5. Peanut Butter and Jelly

This variation is nostalgia in a bite. Start with the original recipe and your favorite jam. When portioning the mixture with an ice cream scoop, flatten each portion in the palm of your hand. Once the mix is flattened, add a small dollop of jam in the center, then carefully close the edges to seal. Make sure the mixture is not too thin or too thick, as it will be difficult to roll into shape once the jam is added.

Tips and Tricks

As you play around with mix-ins and other ingredients with your energy bites, you might run into trouble with the consistency of the oats. If that’s the case, do not worry. Simply keep these tricks in mind for an easy fix.

If your batter is too crumbly and difficult to roll into balls, add more nut butter, honey, or maple syrup. If the mixture is too wet, add more oats or seeds to thicken the mixture. In both cases, add the appropriate ingredients in small amounts and mix until you reach the consistency you are looking for.

Thumbnail Credit:

https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-white-chocolate-cupcakes-e34KSdVAs1U