I started making energy bites a couple months ago and have grown to absolutely love them. They’re perfect for when I need a little something before I head out the door, as part of my breakfast, or for when I need a quick snack in between meals.
There are so many different flavor combinations you can make, and some of my favorites that I have made so far include:
And this new recipe for chocolate banana energy bites is definitely a great addition to the collection! These ones are a bit less sweet than some of the others I have made in the past, but I think that’s what I like about them.
In addition to being less sweet, these energy balls also have a slightly different texture. Whereas some of the ones I’ve made in the past are really sticky and chewy (thanks to the dates), these ones are a bit less chewy. I don’t want to say they’re dry, because they definitely aren’t, but they are drier than the other ones, if that makes sense. But don’t let that stop you from making them – I promise they won’t crumble apart all over you or fall apart easily!
Even though these babies are small, they certainly do a great job of filling me up and holding me over until my next meal. And that’s probably because they are loaded with lots of great ingredients! Let’s take a quick look, shall we? These energy bites contain:
- Fiber – from the oats, steel-cut oats, chia seeds, and flaxseed
- Heart-healthy fats – from the walnuts and coconut
- Complex carbohydrates – from the oats and banana
- Protein – From the oats, chia, and flaxseed
- Vitamins and Minerals – from the banana and cacao powder (such as magnesium, iron, potassium, etc.)
- Antioxidants – from the cacao powder and cacao nibs
All of the ingredients listed above are important to include when looking for a snack, so it’s no wonder these energy bites do such a great job of filling me up and giving me the energy I need to get through the day!
If you’ve never made your own energy bites before, now is a great time to start! All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, and that’s it! So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started making some energy bites!
Chocolate Banana Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
- ¾ cup raw walnuts
- 1 medium banana mashed, about ½ cup
- 1 TBSP maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 TBSP chia seeds
- 1 TBSP ground flaxseed meal
- ¼ cup cacao nibs or dairy-free mini chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside for now.
- Add the oats, coconut, and walnuts to a food processor and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the mashed banana, maple syrup, vanilla, cacao powder, chia seeds, and flaxseed meal. Pulse until everything is mixed together and the mixture can be formed into a ball. If it is too wet, add more oats, ground flaxseed, or cacao powder. If mixture is too dry and crumbly, add small amounts of water until desired consistency is reached.
- Remove the blade and use a rubber spatula to fold in the cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips, if using.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop mixture into 1″ balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your hands to roll them out until smooth, and then place in the refrigerator to set.
- After the energy bites are chilled, transfer them into a sealed container and store them in the refrigerator.
