Festive Energy Bites

I have been making these energy bites for 5 years now and we absolutely love them. Adding some red and green color coated chocolate candies helps to make these festive and a great addition to the holiday baking platter!! These are a no-bake (and no stove needed either, making these perfect for kids of all ages to help make), and can easily be whipped up when in a pinch for a healthier-type treat!

These energy bites have some healthier goodies in them which makes it a slightly better choice than a regular cookie and provides healthy fats from the nut/seed butter, omega 3’s from the flaxseed (another healthy fat), healthy complex carbs from the oats, fibre from the chia and hemp seeds, vitamins and minerals from the oats and dried fruits, antioxidants from the honey, along with some proteins and natural sugars! You can also add some protein powder to these energy bites when you need a boost of protein. These energy bites make wonderful snacks, great treats for school or work lunches and are great after a bit of exercise! These provide a sweet bite when you are trying to not eat all those delectable cookies, pies and holiday treats!

These can be easily made nut free by using seed butters like sunflower seed butter and gluten free by using gluten free oats. These can also me made vegan by substituting the honey for maple syrup. These energy bites are very versatile and changing up the fillings adds a variety of flavors!

Let’s get started!

Combine honey, nut or seed butter and vanilla and mix well.

Add oats, raisins or other dried fruit, mini chocolate chips, chia seeds, color coated chocolate candies, hemp seed, and flaxseed. You can also add protein powder, coconut, cinnamon, turmeric and even chopped nuts. Stir well.

Once well combined, it is time to either roll into balls or scoop with a cookie scoop. The mixture should be somewhat sticky and should stick together when pressed – if it is too dry, add a splash of water and if it is too moist, add more oats, coconut and so on. It will look similar to the picture below.

I use a cookie scoop because it is so much easier and quicker and is a lot less messy! Kids love helping to make these goodies and can easily scoop the energy bites onto parchment paper. Once set, store in an airtight container.

These freeze really well. If you would like to keep to munch on throughout the week, store in an airtight container in the fridge. We keep these on hand often and are one of our favorites! The fillings of dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts and seeds and can interchanged to create a variety of flavors of energy bites — this recipe is very versatile.

Festive Energy Bites

2/3 cup raw honey – maple syrup can also me substituted
3/4 cup nut or seed butter of choice
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp hemp seed
1/4 cup colored chocolate candies like M&M’s or Smarties
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup raisins or other dried fruit

Combine honey and nut/seed butter together and mix well. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. If too dry add a tablespoon of water. If too moist add more oats or coconut to mixture and stir well. Scoop with a small (or mini size) cookie scoop and place on parchment like baking sheet until set. Store in an airtight container.

These are a delicious, healthier treat. You can also add protein powder for a boost of added proteins!

enjoy from Our City Homestead to yours