Sometimes, “real” food sounds exhausting and you just want something quick and easy to throw into your purse and call “lunch” without anyone judging you.
Well, consider this a judgment free zone. And if today is one of those days, here is my solution: Energy bites!
5 ingredients
15 minutes
Naturally sweetened
Tastes like a peanut butter cup
Get on board.
I’m kind of into quick and easy right now.
Warmer weather has meant more adventuring for us and I love having snacky things on hand for sporadic activities. I’m like that weird friend of yours with all the mom things in her purse who doesn’t actually have any kids. No sign of babies around here, just so many snacks.
So, energy bites! 5 ingredients:
Dates
Peanut butter
Chia seeds
Oats
Dairy-free dark chocolate
The good news about these little gems is they’re totally customizable! No peanut butter? Sub any other nut butter. Not into chocolate (seriously Rhonda?)? Omit it and add more oats and chia seeds. Never heard of chia seeds? Sub flax or hemp seeds. It’s that easy friends.
This is basically hippie cookie dough. Take a spoon and eat it straight. (Who on Earth would do such a thing? Me – I would.)
Or reach down in there and roll the batter into little portable energy bites.
Your friends are gonna be so happy to see what’s in your mom purse.
These guys are so good it’s dangerous! They’re:
Tender
Peanut buttery
Crunchy from the chia seeds
Naturally sweetened
Chocolate-studded
Wholesome
& Seriously delicious
Races? Hikes? Road trips? Travel? These are the snacks for you.
If you try this recipe, you know the drill. Let us know by leaving a comment or taking a picture and tagging it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We love seeing what you come up with. Cheers!
5 Ingredient Peanut Cup Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates (pitted // if dry, soak in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain well)
- 3 Tbsp all-natural salted peanut or almond butter
- 1/4 cup dairy-free dark chocolate (roughly chopped)
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds (or sub flax or hemp seeds)
- 2/3 cup gluten-free rolled oats
Instructions
- Pulse pitted dates in a food processor or blender until they’re in small pieces or it forms a ball (see photo).
- Add oats, chocolate, chia seeds and peanut butter and pulse or mix until combined. You want there to be consistently small pieces but not overly processed.
- Carefully roll into 1-inch balls (29-30 grams per ball), using the warmth of your hands to mold them together. Should yield 14-15 balls (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
- To set, pop in fridge or freezer for 15 minutes. Otherwise, eat as is! Will keep fresh in an air-tight bag or container for up to a week. Freeze for longer term storage.
Video
Notes
* Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Paulette says
I use my homemade peanut butter (Trader Joe’s reduced salt peanuts blended in my Ninja until smooth and creamy) to make these. I have to admit that I use more peanut butter than called for in the recipe. They are just so delicious! I’m wondering if the home made peanut butter is what makes the balls a bit oily as I roll them. The taste and texture are not affected; just wondering if the oil is from the peanut butter. These are definitely a vegan go-to snack for me and my husband.
Hi Paulette! We’re so glad you and your husband enjoy them! It is probably the peanut butter that makes them a bit oily!