Where are my snackers at?
Let me be more specific – where are my snackers at who like said snacks to be gluten free, packed with good-for-you-ingredients, AND taste like cookie dough?
That’s what I thought.
Listen up you hungry devils because today I’ve got the snack recipe to end all snack recipes, aka No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites. One bowl, pantry staples, gluten free, freezer friendly, and did I mention they taste like cookie dough? Awww yeah.
Filling Combo of Protein, Carbs, Fat and Fiber
Oat-based, naturally sweetened, and full of protein and fiber, these no bake energy bites they provide a boost of energy whenever you need it. I regularly make a Chocolate Peanut Butter version (which is in my ebook!) to eat when 2pm hits, and I need a little something to power me through my afternoon work sesh, but Lincoln actually inspired the combination for these particular snack bites.
At some point a few months ago Ben gave him dried cranberries and now he requests them constantly. Instead of giving him a small handful though, I’ll mix them with almond slices (or almond “chips” as I call them – seems to go over better!) to balance the sugar with protein and good fat. Wanting to create an even more balanced snack with whole grains, chia seeds, and peanut or almond butter for extra protein, I created these No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites and they are eeeeeverything. Lincoln and I both devour them and I love that they’re more substantial than a bowl of crackers/empty carbs at snack time, which just leads to more requests for snacks.
These no-bake bites also have just the right amount of sweet and completely satisfy when I’m craving something on the decadent side, too. That said, be sure to use dark chocolate chips vs milk or even semi-sweet to avoid tipping them into the dessert category.
Snack time, craving time, pre-workout time, anytime is a good time to have a No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bite. I bet you have nearly all the ingredients on hand so lets get to rollin’, shall we?
How to Make No Bake Energy Bites
This recipe blissfully falls into the “add everything into a bowl and stir” category. Woo! That said, to a large bowl add:
- Certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
- Almond flour
- Peanut butter
- Dried cranberries
- Dark chocolate chips
- Sliced almonds
- Chia seeds
- Honey
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Mix everything together with a fork then, if the mixture sticks to your hands when you try and roll it, incorporate 1-2 additional Tablespoons almond flour until the mixture is no longer sticky. The final amount used will depend on what kind of peanut butter you have. I recommend using no stir but if all you’ve got is the super drippy stuff than you’ll need more almond flour to thicken it up. It’s all good though – more protein and fiber!
Last step is to scoop out 2 Tablespoons worth of the mixture (I used a cookie scoop) then roll into balls and refrigerate until set (or let’s be real – devour 5 immediately.) These No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites will stay nice and chewy in the fridge for 4-5 days, or you can pop them into the freezer to have on hand whenever you need a boost. I hope you love these perfectly delicious, no-bake gluten-free snacks as much as we do – enjoy!
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No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites
Description
No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites taste like cookie dough and provide a burst of energy whenever you need it. Gluten free and made in 1 bowl!
Ingredients
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1 cup certified gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup peanut or almond butter
- 1/4 cup gluten free dark chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life)
- 1/4 cup gluten free dried cranberries (I like Ocean Spray)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Directions
- Stir together 1/2 cup almond flour plus remaining ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. If mixture sticks to your hands, incorporate 1 additional Tablespoon of almond flour at a time until it's no longer sticky. Scoop 2 Tablespoons of the mixture then form into balls and place into a storage container. Refrigerate until set. Balls will keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator and freeze very well.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Suggestions for a substitution since we’re allergic to almonds? I can use sunflower seed spread, but what about the almond flour?
Hi Wendy! Maybe oat flour?
My husband and I made these yesterday with almond butter. I did substitute the almonds for walnuts. Wow! These were incredible!
Thank you again for another fantastic recipe.
These have been a family favorite for years! With back to school upon us, my son requested these in his lunchbox! Thanks!!
[…] and they worked well. And I highly recommend her cream cheese frosting topping! We also made some no-bake cranberry chocolate almond energy balls to have on hand for snacks or as a sweet treat in his lunchbox. These are really tasty and fun for Bryce to help make […]
This look wonderful but I’m wondering if the oats, cranberries and chocolate HAVE to be gluten-free. If you did not use gluten-free which you have to make other adjustments to the recipe?
Definitely! No adjustments would be necessary. :)
Seriously the BEST snack ever! I can’t stop eating these!
Love this recipe!! Thank you for sharing. The only thing I added it was 1/2 cup of coconut oil. It goes so fast in my house that I have to make double recipe!!
[…] No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites by Iowa Girl Eats […]
Thanks for the recipe! I didn’t have almond flour so used Pamela’s GF flour blend, which is mostly rice flour. I know it isn’t as nutritious but the consistency, and flavor turned out great. I also added chopped Medjool dates as I’m pregnant and trying to increase my date intake! They’re yummy!
[…] cranberry, chocolate almond every bites […]
I love your blog! I too was diagnosed 2013 (September 23 to be exact) and cannot eat oats to this day. My body cross reacts. :( no more oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for me, or ANYTHING else with oats. Every recipe I find for protein balls or granola bars or portable snacks seem to include. Leaving me most disappointed. Have you tried quinoa flakes or popped quinoa in any of your recipes? I will be subbing quinoa flakes and maple syrup and using almond butter. Makes for a happier gut here.
I’m allergic to oats & was scrolling through the comments to see if anyone tried quinoa flakes. How did they turn out?!
Are there any nutritional information on these energy bites, i.e. Calories count, fat, carb and protein grams. Thanks in advance.
My whole family loves these! Great recipe. Thanks!
Can you tell me your tips and tricks on freezing these?
Someone asked about nutritional information. I calculated it using Food Processor software. (I am a Registered Dietitian) I used almond butter, but peanut butter would be virtually the same. I put in 15 servings. Each bite has 150 calories, 9 g fat (1.5 g sat fat), 16 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 4 g protein, and 20 mg sodium.
Would almond meal work just as well as almond flour?
I think so, though I haven’t tried. You could start with a little then add more as needed!
Are these still good without the chocolate? I was reading your recent meal plan post and I’m pregnant with our first (14 weeks!) and never been much of a snacker but I’m starting to need them now haha! I don’t really care for chocolate in stuff like this, so wondering if they’d still hold up?
Oh for sure – totally fine to leave it out!
Do you think these could be stored NOT in the refrigerator? I prefer them room temperature. If the almond butter is shelf stable, it should be ok, right??
Hi Dena, I think that would be ok! For some reason I’m thinking that “wet oats” wouldn’t be great sitting out unrefrigerated and/or unbaked, but that said I’ve made homemade granola bars with oats and let them sit out for a few days and it’s been fine. Otherwise, the energy bites warm up to room temperature in about 10 minutes!
Can you post the calorie count per ball? Thank you…. love getting my e-mails from your blog.
Is dark chocolate dairy free?
Hi Jonna! The Enjoy Life brand of chocolate chips is dairy free, though dark chocolate is not always so just make sure you read labels when shopping!