Oatmeal Cookie Dough Energy Bites

5 from 3 votes

Oatmeal Cookie Dough Energy Bites

Just five ingredients are all you need for these fun, snack-friendly energy bites that are one part treat and one part protein-packed snack.

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Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Snack

Keyword: easy snack, energy bites, kid-friendly recipe

Servings:

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $5.00

Equipment

Food Processor
Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

1 cup Raw Cashews
8 oz Dates (see note)
1/4 cup Rolled / “Old Fashioned” Oats
3 Tbsp Peanut Butter Powder (see note)
4-8 Tbsp Natural Almond Butter (sub natural peanut butter or cashew butter)
1/2 cup Mini M&Ms (sub mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate)

Instructions

Combine cashews and dates in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely ground.
Add oats and peanut butter powder and pulse until everything is crumbly and evenly mixed.
Add almond butter (start at the low end of the range) and pulse / blend continuously to incorporate. The mixture should stick together when you press it between your fingers and should feel like it could easily be rolled or pressed into balls. If it seems dry or crumbly, add more almond butter a bit at a time until it comes together. (This is the step where you have to be somewhat flexible since the natural moisture in the dates can affect the stickiness of the mixture.)
Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in M&Ms.
Scoop out heaping 1 Tablespoon portions of dough and roll it into balls.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Dates - These will work with just about any type of dates, but you’ll find that they vary quite a bit in the amount of moisture they contain. When I want a shortcut, I buy the pre-pitted dates sold in vacuum-sealed bags near the dried fruit in the grocery store aisle. I like that I don't have to remove the pits. They are typically a bit sticky and don't require the addition of much almond butter in order to get a mixture that holds together. Medjool dates are often sold in the produce section. They are fairly large and contain pits. They can range from very dry to very moist and require that you slice them open and remove the pits yourself. Just follow the directions and add less or more almond butter as needed to bring the energy bites together.

Peanut Butter Powder - Peanut Butter Powder is made from dried ground peanuts. The result is a powder (not a paste) with concentrated peanut butter flavor and none of the oil (or calories) of regular peanut butter. I use this ingredient to add natural protein to brownies and smoothies as well as energy bites. Find it at most grocery stores or on Amazon or at Trader Joe’s near the oats and cereal.

Nutrition