Working at a college campus has really made me rethink the simplicity of recipes. Furthermore, this made me really look out at the bigger picture of access – not all of us have access to a full kitchen with stove, oven, fancy mixers and fancier ingredients. Also, not everyone has tons of time to prep ingredients, let them sit, come back to them, etc. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to nourish ourselves with food that tastes good. So when I started looking into energy bite recipes, I found tons on various blogs. They all had a similar ratio – 1 cup quick oats, 1/2 cup nut butter, 1/4 cup sweetener + whatever you want to mix into it!
I’ve made them and sampled out to my college students, and even have done demos where they can make them with me. They are ALWAYS a hit. These little bites have tons of flavor and are truly a perfect make ahead snack.
I have been thinking about how I wanted to title this post. In reality, they remind me more of a no bake cookie but I went back and forth because I also like calling them energy bites, but don’t want the word “energy” to be associated with #dietculture and that these are a “diet” food, or something that is labeled as a “health food” thus reinforcing the idea that certain foods are good and others bad, which can make us have black and white thinking about how we nourish ourselves.
Instead, I have decided to take back the word energy to explain how this combo of protein, fat and carbs (sugar being part of that!) are the things that literally give our bodies the ability to function, and the energy to do so. Having those 3 together provide us with the nutrients we need to not only be satiated, but also satisfied.
Have you ever noticed that when you leave out one of them during a meal or snack, you might still be craving more, even if you are full? For me, I notice especially when I have a salad without a lot of carbs in it, I almost always crave something sweet after!
So these, fatty, sugary bites are perfect snack to have around or maybe a little dessert! However you want to include them into your day, they are great to keep you feeling full and satisfied with the energy you need to get through that boring meeting, or if you’re just craving something a little nutty and little sweet.
Let’s get to it!
Energy Bites
Ingredients
Base ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/2 cup nut butter of your choice I used peanut
- 1/4 cup liquid sweetener (syrup, honey, agave)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Pinch Salt
Optional Add Ins
- Mini semisweet chocolate chips
- Chia Seeds
- Flax seeds
- Chopped nuts
- Dried fruit
- Cinnamon
- M&M's
- Reeses pieces
- Chopped pretzels
Instructions
- In large bowl, combine oats, nut butter, sweetener, vanilla, salt and any other add-ins you choose. May need to add more nut butter and sweetener the more add-ins you choose.
- Mix to combine and form large dough ball.
- Take about 1 tbsp mixture and roll into balls. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before eating (also can go into freezer for 15 minutes).
- Store in the fridge for a few days!
There you have it! If you are adding the chia or flax seeds, add in about 1-2 tbsps. The great thing about these is they are totally customizable to your preferences! You can also just eat them totally plain.
However you do it, make it how you LOVE it.
As always, hope you enjoy!
Lots of LOVE,
Eva