Chewy granola bar meets cookie batter in these easy-to-make bites, which include whole oats and a whopping half cup of heart-healthy flax meal.
In a bold moment a few years back, I decided to give up ice cream for Lent. It was a test of sorts, as I seriously wondered if I had the discipline to stick it out. It was a major challenge, but I did it—and afterwards went right back to my routine of a nightly bowl, generously scooped.
For this very reason, I decided to ditch food-related resolutions. Deep down, I know that changes in diet (and exercise, for that matter) should be lifelong changes, not short-term modifications.
So while some are currently feeling guilty about failed New Year’s resolutions and others are fretting over six more weeks of Lent, I thought a few words of wisdom from an expert might help.
I first met Sally Meints while taking a tour of Bright Side Opportunity Center* last year. I was on a mission completely unrelated to food and, when introduced to the wellness director, I realized that I knew her from somewhere. Turns out that Sally and her company, Nutrifreak, had been featured in our local newspaper several months prior.
As a certified nutrition specialist and personal trainer, Sally encourages people to move more, resist the lure of fad diets and products promising quick weight loss, and to eat a broader variety of whole foods.
Since small changes are often easier to implement and stick with, I asked Sally for her top tips for improving health. And while green smoothies may be really good for us, I wanted suggestions that most people could realistically implement and that seemed reasonable to continue over the long haul.
Sally also offered a quick recipe for portion-controlled, granola-like bites that satisfy a sweet craving and are perfect pre-workout fuel. I, for one, frequently crave a bite of something sweet, and my kids love the store-bought chewy granola bars. As such, we seemed like ideal testers for Sally’s bite-size treats.
The wholesome snacks are easy to make and loaded with protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. And while naturally sweetened with honey, there are just enough chocolate chips to satisfy a penchant for chocolate.
Given the popularity of these energy bites over the years, I have made a few different versions to appeal to various palates and dietary needs. The kids at the Boys & Girls Club helped me put together customizable Mix & Match Protein Bites, which they loved making on their own and adding to lunch boxes. And when that pumpkin spice craving comes around every year, this No-Bake Pumpkin Spice version truly captures the flavors of the season.
I’d love to know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @fountainavenuekitchen on Instagram and Facebook. Your feedback is always appreciated. 💛
No-Bake Energy Bites (healthy yet taste a lot like cookie dough!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats* (90 grams)
- ½ cup ground flax meal (50 grams)
- ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips** (85 grams)
- ½ cup peanut butter (130 grams)
- ⅓ cup honey (110 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (5 milliliters)
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients (the oats, flax meal, and chips) in a small- to medium-size bowl. In a larger bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Tip: For easier rolling, place the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. (You may roll them right away, but they will tend to stick to your hands at this point. If you refrigerate much longer than that, the mixture will be firmer than ideal for easy rolling.)
- Roll into bite-sized balls and place them on a cookie sheet. (I line the baking sheet with wax paper—could use parchment or foil—for easy cleanup, but this isn't critical as the bites won't stick to the sheet.) If you have a melon baller or a mini ice cream scoop, it works very well for quickly portioning out consistent amounts of batter.
- Storage: Stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, the bites will maintain freshness for a week or two. They freeze well too.
Notes
*Brightside Opportunity Center is an independent non-profit social service facility in Lancaster City which offers a variety of health, social service and educational programs.
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