FROM OUR PRESIDENT CYNDI - MY FAVORITE HOMEMADE SNACK
No baking, no blending. Forget baking or blending up ingredients, simply mix the dry ingredients with nut butter and honey or maple syrup and then roll into small biteable balls. Easy peasy!
- Honey roasted nuts: Nuts serve as the base of these bites and provide protein, healthy fats, and a crunchy texture. I used honey roasted mixed nuts, but you can choose any regular or sweetened nuts as a substitute
- Gluten free rolled oats: Oats are also a foundational ingredient in cookie bites that bulk up the balls and help keep them firm when they’re mixed with the wet ingredients. I used Bob’s Red Mill GF rolled oats, but quick oats can also be used (you may just need a bit more as they’re usually much smaller pieces of oats).
- Honey or maple syrup: A liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup gives the bites flavor but also serves as a sticky thickener that helps hold the oat and nuts together.
- Nut butter: Nut butter helps energy bite ingredients to stick together, while also providing protein and healthy fats. I like no stir almond or sunflower butter, but any nuts butters or peanut butter works!
- Chia seeds!(A must have!)
- Chocolate chips: Any chocolate chips will do, but we like Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips (allergen free) or skip it
- Dried cranberries or cherries: Dried fruits like cranberries are great in energy bars and bites, as they are nutrient and fiber dense. I use unsweetened cranberries and cherries which are usually very tart but provide a nice complementary flavor.
- Vanilla extract and ground cinnamon: A bit of vanilla extract and a dash of ground cinnamon make these bites taste even more like a delicious oatmeal cookie!
- Optional ingredients: I always keep a little protein powder or my favorite flour (coconut flour would be tasty!) on hand in case the mixture is too sticky and I need to dry out the ingredients. You could also add more rolled oats, if needed.
- Mix together dry ingredients: The first step to making cookie balls is to prep and mix the dry ingredients! To do this, crush the nuts and add them to a big bowl with oats, dairy free or dark chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and cinnamon and give them a good mix to combine.
- Add in the sticky ingredients: Next add the nut butter and the vanilla to the mixed dry ingredients and stir until the ingredients are well mixed. The mixture will be pretty thick and a bit dry. Then slowly add the honey (or maple syrup) a bit at a time, mixing with a spoon (or your hands!) between pours. Adjust the amount of honey you use until you have a thick batter that holds together well, but isn’t sticky.
- Chill, roll, freeze
Best part… Eat and Enjoy!
FUN RUN SCHEDULE
- Wednesday, September 14 Fox West YMCA, Greenville
- Wednesday, October 12 Stone Arch Brewpub, Appleton
- Wednesday, November 9 information to follow