Almond Butter Date Energy Bites

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That name draws you in doesn’t it? I’m all about purchasing easy, grab-and-go snacks that you can throw in your lunch or eat quickly between meetings at work. But those snack prices add up and it can be hard to find a snack budget friendly snack that keeps you full. I’ve also been working with pregnant and breastfeeding moms who all are asking for easy, budget friendly, one hand needed snacks they can make for themselves and their kids.

In fact, I just taught a best friend, Nick, (and soon-to-be new dad) how to make energy bites for his wife! Eek! Even though there wasn’t a ton of instruction needed, it reminded me how much I love helping people learn how to cook healthy foods for themselves/their families. It’s also important that eating healthy doesn’t take too much time. Nick made the recipe done and had the bites made in 10 minutes tops.

A quick recipe with common pantry ingredients

Most of the time, you have a lot of these ingredients on hand and/or you can make modifications to work with what you’ve got. Need to get rid of a couple Oreos? Try my low-sugar Oreo energy bites here. Got some craisins’? Try this recipe on for size. Have some chia seeds and don’t know what to do with them? Throw a tablespoon in this recipe for added fiber and healthy fats.

The other nice thing is that you don’t have to be perfect with measurements here. I did provide measurements so your outcome could turn out like mine. However, most of the time when I make a recipe like this I start throwing things in willy nilly. They usually turn out just fine and it means less dishes later on.

One of the lesser used dried fruits

In this specific recipe, I threw in dates! We try to always keep dried fruit on hand, but often dates are not the first ones on my list. The cost depends on where you buy them, these were from Aldi, and if they have pits in them or not. It’s often cheaper to buy them with pits so to get them out, make a slice into the date lengthwise and peel it open with your hands. They’re really soft and the pits come out super easily. My friend and dad to be learned that in about three seconds.

Almond Butter Date Energy Bites

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Course: Snack

Author: Jessi@TheKitchenInvitation

Equipment

• food processor

Ingredients

• 10-12 pitted Mejool dates I buy the ones with pits because they're cheaper and its easy to take the pits out
• 1 cup rolled oats (or quick or steel cut, whatever you've got!)
• 1/3 cup unsalted, cashews
• 1/4 cup almond butter Any nut butter will do
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1.5 tbsp hemp hearts Can omit or add in chia or flax seeds instead
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• If using dates with pits, simply make a slit in them by slicing them down the middle longwise. They open easily and you can take the pit out.
• Throw all ingredients into your food processor in no particular order and pulse until everything is well chopped
• Remove and roll into bite sized energy bites/balls and store in your fridge or freezer for later!

Notes

Like the notes next to the ingredients say, you can swap out these ingredients and make all sorts of combinations. If freezing them, I recommend freezing them spread out on a cookie sheet first and then putting them into a freezer bag so they don’t stick together.

Did you make them or a version of them? Take a picture to show me on Instagram @the_beer_dietitian!

Did you make this recipe?Mention @The.Kitchen.Invitation or tag #TheKitchenInvitation!

Now if you’re also like my friend Nick, the dad-to-be, you might start rolling them into bigger and bigger sizes so you’re done a bit faster. I find taking about two tablespoon-ish lumps in your hand makes a good size bite and the recipe will yield 12-16 that way too.

Let me know if you make these! I would love to see a photo too! How important to you is your budget when it comes to snacks? Do you need more snack ideas? Comment below!