With kids in school and general busyness, you want quick and simple. But before you reach for that snack, make sure it’s healthy like with these energy bites!
When it comes to back to school snacks, most of the time it’s easier to buy prepackaged foods from the grocery store. On-the-go foods have flooded the marketplace in the past five years. The problem is that whether they are granola bars, cereal bars, little packaged muffins, or cookies, they’re loaded with refined and processed sugars. Some of these convenience foods are better than others, but for the most part they are equivalent to eating a chocolate bar. They contain the same amount of sugar and lack of essential vitamins.
This energy bites recipe is super easy to make and you can play around with different flavors and textures. I personally love the flavor profile of nuts, seeds, and dates, but you can always add rolled oats, chocolate chips, dried coconut, or different nut butters. The great thing about making these for your little ones is that you can sneak in ingredients such as chia seeds, which are packed with omega 3 fatty acids that are crucial for brain health and development, or hemp seeds, which are a great source of plant-based protein, and flax seeds, which contain dietary fiber.
Always remember: If you are going to be purchasing snack foods for your children, pay attention to the label. Unhealthy ingredients may include high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, bleached or wheat flours.
Back to School Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup mixed trail mix (dried fruits and nuts)
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in food processor. Form into small balls (I used an ice cream scooper) and place in the fridge to set for 1 hour.
Remove from fridge and voila, beautiful and rocking energy balls!
For maximum freshness, keep in the fridge in an air tight container. But, before you do, take in the beauty and brilliance of these little balls of nutrients!
And to keep things new and fresh, I’ve included the recipe for several variations:
Granola Chocolate Oat Bites:
-
1 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup nut butter of choice
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine all ingredients together except for chocolate chips and rolled oats. Mix well and then stir in remaining ingredients. Place in fridge to set.
Cinnamon Apple:
- 1 cup dates
- 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup dried apple slices
- 1 tablespoon agave or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Coconut sugar (optional)
Combine all ingredients together. Using an ice cream scoop, roll into balls and place in fridge.
Optional: Roll in coconut sugar to add extra sweetness
Double Chocolate:
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
To roll: Puffed quinoa, flaked coconut, hemp seeds, chia seeds
Combine all ingredients together in your food processor. Using an ice cream scooper, form into small balls. Roll in puffed quinoa, flaked coconut, chia or hemp seeds
If you’re looking for bites with a bit of protein, check the recipe for these out!
