Kitchen Fun: NoBake EnergyBites

As I said in my Hemp Heart review post earlier this week - I really love em. And, because I was trying to hemp things up in my diet, I decided to research recipes to make some no-bake energy bites.

I decided that a date with Cori was needed to make the fun happen in the kitchen. Coffee with a great friend and some laughs while trying a new recipe is just the ticket to the sanity train. And a great way to catch up.

First, we found a recipe here. It was perfect - no bake, easy peasy! We did decide to adapt it a little. We both prefer dark chocolate - so used that instead of mini chips that were only milk chocolate. We used less chips and planned to put in craisins. See what we had in our collective cupboards and go from there.  I had brought some homemade cashew butter, so used it instead of good ol PB. And I brought Hemp Hearts - suggesting we roll the balls in it. You could also just mix it in with the ingredients.

We decided to make two batches - plain and chocolate - and then have a taste off. Which would taste better? Cori's girls were down with that and very excited to help!

To make everything easy, we set out all the ingredients. Which made for little finger sampling! i forgot how entertaining "cooking" with kids can be!

The Ingreds...
1 cup oatmeal
½ cup cashew butter
⅓ cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
½ cup ground flaxseed
½ cup dark chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Then, easy as pie...put everything in the bowl to mix

Then mix all the ingredients until thoroughly incorporated.

Then lick the beaters. DUH!

Roll into balls. Toss each ball with Hemp Hearts. Then chill in the refrigerator.

For the second batch we decided to switch up the recipe a bit and do it with cocoa:
1½ cup oatmeal
½ cup cashew butter
½ cup honey
½ cup ground flaxseed
⅓ cup cocoa
⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
⅓ cup craisins
2 tsp vanilla

To be truthful we really didn't measure. Then had to add more honey and a bit of water and some more vanilla to get this mixture to the same consistency as the first - adding the cocoa means you need a bit more liquid of sorts. Use more chips, craisins ...whatever...really you don't need to be married to the exact amounts.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can add whatever you want. Use Peanut Butter or whatever nut or seed butter you wish. Use some protein powder instead of flax, or try some wheat germ. Whatever tickles your fancy. I wanted to roll 'em in Hemp Hearts because I wanted the crunch and flavor. The girls pushed back on the craisin idea...but with the chocolate flavor, you couldn't really tell they were in there.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week. If they last that long.

Each recipe makes 20 or so balls - depending on the size. Honestly...I suggest doubling the batch and freezing them. They are THAT yummy! Putting them in the freezer will also help if you want to put a few in a baggie and take them on a long run. Make 'em as big or as small as you like. There is just a million ways to add your twist to this recipe.

I do suggest making them with friends.

They taste WAY better when made that way.

As a side note...putting them in the freezer also helps so you don't eat em all at once!

Enjoy as a great treat right after a long run with your favourite smoothie too!

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