By Reeva Ripley, Bulk and Frozen Buyer, Co-op Owner
Looking for a great organic, cheaper, low-maintenance and nutritionally rounded snack to fuel you up on these chilly winter days? Try making your own energy bites. Just hit up the bulk aisle at your friendly local Co-op to get your supplies. We have what you need to personalize your tasty treats. Let’s break down what goes into energy bites to make them such a satisfying on the go snack:
Binder: Nut or seed butters, coconut oil, or sticky moist fruits such as medjool dates, apricots, cherries, cranberries, or figs
Fiber/protein: Seeds – chia, ground flax, hemp, coconut shreds, quick or rolled oats, raw nuts, or protein powder.
Flavor: Cocoa powder, vanilla or almond extracts, etc.
Spices: Salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.
Addins: Other (less sticky) dried fruits like blueberries, raisins, or strawberries, chocolate chips, cacao nibs, matcha green tea powder, etc.
There are two formulas which can be employed while making energy bites, one uses honey, agave, or a sweetener of your choice. The second uses fruit in lieu of sweeteners and depends on nut butter as the main binder. Depending on your nutritional needs or taste preferences you can make tasty bites which are filling and keep you feeling energized throughout the day.
Formula #1
- ½ cup nut butter
- 1/3 cup sweetener, agave, honey, maple syrup
- 1 cup Rolled oats
- 1 cup shredded coconut, seeds, ground flax, ground nuts, or wheat bran
- 1-2 tsp flavoring, like vanilla or almond extract
- 1-2 tsp Spice
- ½ cup add-ins: cacao nibs, dried fruit
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until it starts to clump together. Form bite-sized balls by pressing the mixture firmly together with your hands.
Formula #2
- 2 parts dried fruits
- 2 parts nuts
- 1 part nut butter
- 1 part seeds
- 1 part add-ins
- Spice to taste
Pulse dried fruit and nuts in a food processor just until it begins to clump – it should still be a bit chunky. Combine with other ingredients in a bowl. Form bite-sized balls by pressing the mixture firmly together with your hands.
Pro tips:
- Wear food handling gloves to keep the heat from your hands from melting the nut butter too quickly.
- Both formulas can also be pressed into a cake pan and refrigerated until stiff, then sliced to form bars for a larger snack.
- Finished balls can be rolled in cocoa powder, matcha powder, instant coffee, or coconut or almond flours to make the treats less sticky.