Healthy No-Bake Chocolate Energy Bites
These little bites are the best thing ever. Who doesn’t love the chocolate treat that is not only healthy for you, but also tastes great? From my own experience I know that there are those times when you just HAVE to have something sweet. Those times I turn to these little round cuties.
The great thing about these energy bites is that they have some healthy ingredients like oats, flax seeds, raw honey, chia seeds and coconut oil. So many good stuff in one bite! Oh, and did I mention you don’t even need to turn on the oven to make these? Quick, easy, nutritious – just perfect for a snack or a quick on-the-go breakfast.
This is such a versatile recipe, and the ingredients can be easily added or changed depending on your family’s favorites. If you don’t have (or like) dried cranberries, you can replace them with other dried fruits. Add more dried fruits if you want to leave out the chocolate. Also feel free to omit the outer coating.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 + 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut , divided
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries , roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped chocolate or mini chocolate chips
- dash of salt , to taste
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey , raw
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup almond flakes , lightly toasted and crushed
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, cocoa powder, 1/3 cup coconut, ground flaxseed, cranberries, chia seeds, chocolate and salt.
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In another small bowl, melt the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in the microwave in 10 second increments, stirring after each increment until completely melted and combined. Stir in vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir well until fully combined.
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In a small shallow bowl, stir together the almond flakes and 1/4 cup coconut. Using wet hands, roll the oat mixture into balls (mine were about 1-inch in diameter) and then roll them around in the bowl of coconut and almonds for the outer coating. Place in the refrigerator to set.
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
Add more oats if the mixture seems too moist and likewise, add more melted honey or a little bit more coconut oil if the mixture seems too dry and crumbly.