Instead of spending all day making a batch of Christmas cookies full of sugar and getting your kitchen messy, try these Energy Bites - quick, easy, full of protein, and no sugar! And as a bonus, they even taste good!! REALLY good!
Cranberry Almond Energy Bites
1 cup oats
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1/3 cup coconut (plus more for rolling)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup nut butter (unsalted)
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp chia seeds (available at bulk stores)
1/3 cup roughly chopped Craisins
Brown oats, almonds, and coconut in the oven for 7-8 minutes at 350*F. Melt nut butter and honey in the microwave for 20 - 30 seconds. Mix all the ingrediants together in a large bowl - make sure you mix it really well (use your hands, then you get to like your fingers!). Add more honey or oats as needed.
Roll into 1 inch balls (squeeze them together really well) and roll in coconut. Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes. Store in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Makes about 20.
Protein (pea)Nut Butter Energy Bites
1/2 cup nut butter (unsalted)
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup protein powder (any kind)
1/3 cup chia seeds
1/3 cup coconut
Mix nut butter and honey together, then add in the rest of the ingrediants. Roll into 1 inch balls and follow the same direction as the above bites.
About chia seeds: 2 tablespoons of these little seeds has 5 times the omega3 as 1/4 cup of walnuts; the same amount of calcium as 1/2 a cup of milk; over 2 times the amount of fiber as 1 cup of oatmeal; and 2 grams of protein. Power food!
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(These things are soooooo good!! I ate a whole batch in about 4 days.)
