Maple Peanut Butter Energy Bites

These energy bites are my new favorite snack. A little sweet and packed with protein and fiber, they’re perfect for staving off mid-afternoon hunger pangs (a constant problem for me) and rife with possibilities for customization. Nearly every ingredient here can be swapped out; the peanut butter can be replaced with your favorite nut butter, the ground flax seed can be replaced with more chia seeds and vice versa, any of the dry ingredients can be partly replaced with cocoa powder for a chocolate version, and the maple syrup can be replaced with honey. You can even add in some chocolate chips, chopped dried fruit, or chopped nuts. I think my next batch will use pomegranate molasses (in place of maple syrup), walnut butter (in place of peanut butter), and chopped dates. They’re so easy to make and so convenient to have around that I’m now determined to always have some on hand!

Maple Peanut Butter Energy Bites (adapted from Smashed Peas and Carrots)
Yield: 20 – 30 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old-fashioned or quick oats*
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt**
• 1/2 cup peanut butter***
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

*Oats are gluten-free, but many are processed on the same equipment as wheat, so make sure to check the label if you can’t eat gluten.
**Omit if using salted peanut butter.
***Look for peanut butter where the only ingredients are peanuts or peanuts and salt.

Method:

1. In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup old-fashioned oats, 1 cup coconut flakes, 1/4 cup ground flax seed, 1/4 cup chia seeds, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt.
2. Add 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and stir until thoroughly combined. The mixture should be crumbly but stick together.
3. Cover, and refrigerate for half an hour.
4. Remove from refrigerator, pull off approximately tablespoon-sized pieces (or larger and smaller, to your preference), and roll into balls.
5. Store in the refrigerator or freezer (I prefer the freezer).