Energy Bites

I love peanut butter.  I love coconut.  I love oats.  It was a hit.  And it is a great snack if you want to fill up.  My kids love these too.  We call them peanut butter balls.  We keep them in the fridge because we like them cold.  And the kiddos go and get one when they are hungry.  And it doesn't have any junk in it! Wahoo!

Found here on Food Doodles

 Ingredients:

-1/2 C nut butter(almond butter, peanut butter.....)-we used PB

-1/3 C honey (brown rice syrup would also work.  I’m not sure of thinner sweeteners such as maple syrup and agave though as they may not hold together as well)

-1 C old fashioned rolled oats(you can toast for a nuttier flavor at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes)

-1 C shredded unsweetened coconut-I use dessicated unsweetened-gives it a nice semi coconutty flavor

-1-2 tsp vanilla ( I use around 1 1/2)

-1-2 tsp your favorite spices or spice combinations(optional)

-1/2 C other addins (mini/normal Chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, poppy seeds, flax seed...)

-*pinch of sea salt if using a natural nut butter with no added salt*

Directions:

1. In a large bowl add the nut butter, honey/other sweetener, vanilla and salt if needed.  Use less vanilla if yours is very strong or more if you really enjoy the vanilla flavor and don’t use an alcohol based kind.  If all your ingredients are room temperature you should be able to stir to combine.  If this is difficult you can warm in the microwave for a few seconds or even place the bowl in an inch or two hot water for a few minutes to soften everything.  Once this is combined add the remaining ingredients.

2. Add your addins. Mix well.  Once it’s all combined place in the fridge for about 30 minutes.  Then remove from the fridge, scoop out some dough and roll into a ball.  I find it’s much easier, and works better to squeeze the handful together to compact it and then roll it into a ball.

3. If yours are too sticky you can considering adding more dry ingredients into them or rolling them in something like ground nuts, coconut, etc so they aren’t as sticky.  Place the balls in an airtight container either in the fridge or freezer for quick and easy snacks.