No Bake Granola Energy Balls

Sunday, March 11, 2012


Last month I hopped out for Breckenridge for a weekend, to go skiing and catch up with my good friend Courtney.  For years, she has been one of my favorite crafty/cooking friends.  So when she mentioned that she brought along some yummy “energy bites” for us to take on the slopes, I was intrigued.
Upon first glance in the fridge, I admit I commented they kind of looked like meatballs.  :)  But after one delicious bite, I realized they were basically a healthy version of my favorite no bake cookies!!  I’m not kidding.  For any of you who have ever loved no bakes, these little guys taste amazingly similar, but without the tons of butter and lots of other fun healthy ingredients thrown in.  And they’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even as we all agreed — dessert!
All of our friends totally loved taking these little guys along on the slopes.  And then I of course immediately came home and made a batch, and have been keeping them in the fridge for snacks and breakfasts-on-the-run ever since.  Such a great recipe.  Thank you, Courtney!


No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe

What you need
:
1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
1 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla


What you do:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1″ in diameter.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week but they NEVER last that long in my fridge!! bahahah!

Makes about 20-25 balls.


Substitution ideas can abound for just about any of these ingredients! Experiment people!   Feel free to substitute in your favorite nut butter (almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.) for the peanut butter. And you could also add in some wheat germ in place of some or all of the flaxseed.Word to the wise though- keep the honey! Don't try to use agave nectar because it doesnt have honeys thickness which helps hold things together.

Fun ideas and add ins!
chopped dried fruit (apricots, dates, raisins, etc.)
dried berries (cranberries, cherries, etc.)
chopped almonds, pecans, or sunflower seeds
other chips (butterscotch, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, etc.)



- THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -