Easy, No-Bake Energy Bites

Packaged snacks abound, but if you’re looking for a healthier way to fuel your body with quick energy, these No-Bake Energy Bites deliver.
Weekends at Sunny Side Up are usually jam-packed with stuff we have to do as we work on our 120+-year-old farmhouse fixer upper. Although there are definitely times I would prefer to have nothing to do for once, this year it’s been a blessing to stay busy. Once Matt and I get entrenched in projects, it’s hard to pry ourselves away from them. The good news with that is that we stay focused and get things done. The bad news is sometimes we forget to eat.

That’s why these no-bake bliss bites are the perfect fuel when we don’t want to stop what we’re doing. They’re also just plain delicious, easy to make, and require no baking. By nature, Matt prefers food with simple flavors, while I’m the one who likes things a little more gourmet. I also like to experiment by mixing some ingredients together that don’t seem like they would be a good match. This recipe is the best of both worlds. It’s one with simple ingredients but complex yet complementary flavors. We’re talking pumpkin, peanut butter, maple, and chocolate. You may be wondering how that could all taste great together, but I can assure you it’s a magical mix! The maple syrup I used is just sweet enough to make these taste a little indulgent.

No-Bake Energy Bites Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds 
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

There are also plenty of options to make this recipe even easier if preferred. For example, I have tried all the various nut butters out there. I love straight-up peanut butter, but my favorite is this nut and seed butter, which also only has 1 gram of sugar.

If you choose to use a nut and seed blend like this one, you can omit the chia seeds I have listed in the ingredients. No pumpkin pie spice? You can use a canned pumpkin pie mix instead of plain pumpkin puree, or make your own. My easy homemade pumpkin puree recipe is a good one. OR you can make your own pumpkin pie spice by mixing a half teaspoon of cinnamon, a quarter teaspoon of ginger, an eighth teaspoon of cloves, and a scant amount of nutmeg.

Instructions

• Add the oats, chia seeds. pumpkin pie spice, peanut butter, pumpkin purée, and maple syrup to a large mixing bowl and stir until well combined. It will be sticky!

• Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
• Roll the dough into balls with a cookie scoop or your hands. 

Just like that, they’re ready to eat and enjoy!

To store, place in an air-tight container in your fridge. They will keep for about two weeks or you can freeze them for later. I think they would be a delicious snack pre-Thanksgiving turkey! ?

Watch the Video!

Happy Saturday to you, no matter how you’re spending it!