Description
A nutty, crunchy, healthy, protein-packed, high-fiber snack that tastes great and is easy to make. The perfect afternoon pick-me-up or grab and go breakfast.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, lightly toasted and cooled (see notes)
- 1/2 cup flaked almonds, lightly toasted and cooled. (see notes)
- 3 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 1 1/2 ounces (1/4 cup) chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips (I use Ombar)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup natural smooth peanut butter at room temperature, stirred well
Instructions
- Line a tray with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- Combine toasted oats, toasted almonds, ground flax, chocolate and salt in a medium bowl. Add maple syrup and vanilla. Stir to combine. Add peanut butter and mix, using a spoon to start and then using your hands to work the ingredients together well. Don't worry if the mixture feels sticky. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the wet ingredients to soak into the dry ingredients. Peanut butters differ widely in texture so If you find that even after a few minutes, the mixture sticks to the spoon when you try to shape the bites, add a bit more oats. If the mixture is still too sticky, chill it for 10 to 15 minutes in the fridge and try again.
- Shape the bites: You can roll up a tablespoon full of the mix into a ball or, my favorite method is to use the tablespoon of my measuring spoons to shape the bites into little domes. Scoop a generous tablespoon full of mixture and press it firmly against the side or bottom of the bowl get it packed in tight. Then, gently push your finger in on one edge of the oat-peanut mixture to nudge it out of the spoon. It should slide out easily. Set the bites onto the prepared tray.
- Eat and enjoy! Peanut butter energy bites can be stored in a plastic bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- Toast the Oats and Almonds: Toasting will enhance the flavors of the almonds and oats and increase the digestibility of the oats. Toast oats in a dry pan over medium high heat, stirring constantly, for a few minutes, until they color slightly. Toast almonds in a dry pan over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until they turn golden brown in spots, about 2 minutes.
- Cool Oats and Almonds before mixing with the rests of the ingredients. Otherwise the chocolate will melt.
- Shaping The Energy Bites: If the mixture is sticking to your hands or to the spoon, chill the mixture in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes and try again. That will firm things up and make it easier to shape the bites.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Category: snack
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: American