Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bites

This healthy no bake snack is quick and easy.  The whole family will love the flavor of a sweet and sticky caramel apple with a hint of cinnamon.   Made with dates which contain anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties.  Making this snack an excellent food for those who suffer with chronic infections and auto-immune disorders.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pitted dates

1 cup dried apples (not freeze dried, chewy ones)

1/2 cup oats

1/2 tsp cinnamon

If you can't find dried chewy apples, then you can dice up an actual apple.  However, here is where you would need to play around.  The apple makes the mixture super wet.  So you would need to adjust the measurements to reduce the amount of diced apple and increase the oats.  Or add in a scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder to dry up the mixture.  

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and process until it forms a thick paste.  A blender works to, but the food processor makes for an easier clean up.

2. Using about a tablespoon of the mixture, roll into balls.  Enjoy!

Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites

Where are all the apple lovers at? These are a no bake snack that is packed with nutrients & have that tasty cozy apple cinnamon flavor! And they come together in one bowl in about 15 minutes.  Want one?

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder (I use Shakeology)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

pinch of sea salt

1/2 cup diced soft dried apples

3/4 cup nut butter of choice

3 TBsp maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients using a large spoon.  (oats, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg & sea salt)

2. Add nut butter, maple syrup, vanilla & diced apples to the dried ingredients and mix, using a large spoon, until well combined.

3. Roll mixture into approximately 1 1/2 inch balls.  You will get about 12 balls depending on size.

4. Store in refrigerator for up to a week or freezer for a couple months. Enjoy!

Chocolate Cookie Dough Energy Bites

One of my favorite things to have on hand in my freezer or fridge are energy bites and today I am sharing with you these healthy no bake chocolate cookie dough energy bites.  They taste JUST like raw cookie dough. This recipe will be so easy for you to remember off the top of your head so you can make them all the time! They come together in one bowl in under 15 minutes.  There’s no food processor or mixer required,  just good ol’ arm strength! 

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten free old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup nut butter

1/4 cup maple syrup or honey

1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Place oats, nut butter, maple syrup, protein powder and chocolate chips in a large bowl and stir to combine.

2. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl. Getting the mixture to combine takes a little arm muscle it will come together as you keep mixing. 

3. Once combined, use a small cookie scoop to scoop and form the dough into balls. Roll in your hand to form balls and roll in a few extra oats. If the mixture is to dry, then add a dash of water.

4. Enjoy immediately or store in refrigerator (for a week) or freezer (up to 3 months).

Substitutions & Notes:

• Honey or Maple Syrup: I use maple syrup to make these vegan. Maple syrup is a little thinner than honey so you might need to add some more oats to the mixture to get the balls to hold together better.
• Nut butter: Any nut butter will work for this recipe. You can use almond butter, cashew butter, tahini or sunflower butter.
• Protein powder: I prefer the vegan chocolate shakeology as it pairs nicely with the peanut butter and chocolate chips, but feel free to use your favorite brand and flavor of protein powder for this recipe.
• Chocolate chips: You could always skip the chocolate chips and add a different mix-in. Some great examples include: dried cranberries, raisins, shredded coconut, crushed nuts, cacao nibs, chia seeds or ground flax seeds.

Energy Bites to dry or crumbly?

There are a few reasons why your protein balls might be dry or crumbly. Most likely it is that there isn't enough moisture in the mixture. Be sure to use a nut butter that is smooth and runny, and consider adding a bit of water to help bind the mixture together. 

Cookie Dough Energy Bites

These Cookie Dough Energy Bites are the perfect no bake healthy snack.  They come together in one bowl in under 15 minutes.  There’s no food processor or mixer required,  just good ol’ arm strength!  So easy to make and you only need 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. They hold together well so you can easily toss a few in your bag for school, work or as a travel snack for a little treat.

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten free old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup nut butter

1/4 cup maple syrup or honey

1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

• Place oats, nut butter, maple syrup, protein powder and chocolate chips in a large bowl and stir to combine.

2. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl. Getting the mixture to combine takes a little arm muscle it will come together as you keep mixing. 

   

3. Once combined, use a small cookie scoop to scoop and form the dough into balls. Roll in your hand to form balls and roll in a few extra oats.

   

4. Enjoy immediately or store in refrigerator (for a week) or freezer (up to 3 months)

Substitutions & Notes:

• Honey or Maple Syrup: I use maple syrup to make these vegan. Maple syrup is a little thinner than honey so you might need to add some more oats to the mixture to get the balls to hold together better.
• Nut butter: Any nut butter will work for this recipe. You can use almond butter, cashew butter, tahini or sunflower butter.
• Protein powder: I prefer the vegan vanilla shakeology as it pairs nicely with the peanut butter and chocolate chips, but feel free to use your favorite brand and flavor of protein powder for this recipe.
• Chocolate chips: You could always skip the chocolate chips and add a different mix-in. Some great examples include: dried cranberries, raisins, shredded coconut, crushed nuts, cacao nibs, chia seeds or ground flax seeds.

Homemade Cheese-Its

These "cheesy" sea salt almond flour crackers are so easy to make.  Just 5 ingredients!  The photos do not do them justice...just make them to see for yourself.

1 1/2 cup almond flour
3 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
pinch of sea salt
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

Mix in a bowl until it becomes a dough.  On parchment paper or a cooking stone spread out the dough, thinly.  Cut lengthwise & width wise.  Poke holes in each crackers.  Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Flip, bake for an additional 8 minutes.  Sprinkle with sea salt & nutritional yeast.  Eat them all!!