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–+ servings

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

These energy bites hit the trifecta — they’re quick to make, delicious to eat, and bursting with wholesome ingredients to put a pep in your step and a smile on your face.
Yield: 20 bites
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats*, not quick-cooking oats
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds, also called flaxseed meal
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Pinch of cinnamon, optional
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter**
  • 1 tablespoon hot water
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons mini semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, optional
Ingredient Details to Know
*If you're gluten-free use certified gluten-free oats.
**If some of the oil has separated to the top of your nut butter jar, be sure to mix it back into the nut butter before measuring. Also, if your nut butter is stiff (versus soft and mushy), microwave it for ~20 seconds before adding to the oat mixture. I like to mist my measuring cups/spoons with nonstick oil spray before adding the nut butter, so it glides out seamlessly and doesn’t stick.

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, add the oats, cocoa powder, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, salt and cinnamon, if using. Whisk to combine.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the nut butter, hot water, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
  • Add the dry “oat mixture” into the wet “nut butter mixture” bowl, and using a rubber spatula, mix until well combined (it will form into a batter that resembles stiff cookie dough). Gently mix in chocolate chips, if using, so they’re well distributed throughout the batter.
  • Shape into 20 to 25 (1-inch) balls. It’s about 1 tablespoon worth, a bit smaller than golf ball size.

Notes

• I've provided nutrition for one bite. You can do the math based on the amount you eat. If you're looking for serving size guidance, I'd recommend 3 to 4 bites for an energizing snack. 
Storage Tips:
Keep your bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Or, stash them in the freezer for up to 2 months—they’re yummy frozen, too! You can eat them straight from the freezer for a firmer, more ice cream-like treat, or let them thaw at room temperature (or overnight in the fridge) if you prefer them soft and chewy, like the original version.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Serving Size: 1 biteCalories: 60Carbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gTotal Fat: 4g— Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g— Saturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgFiber: 1gTotal Sugar: 2g— Natural Sugar: 1g— Added Sugar: 1g
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.