Don’t let their size fool you – these little peanut butter energy bites pack a punch! Not only are these compact snacks healthy and portable, they’re easy to make and can be customized for any flavor you like.

Need a quick snack as you head out the door? Looking for something to tide you over from the 3pm caffeine fix to dinner ? How about something satisfying after a workout?

There’s a simple formula for making these (see below the recipe for ways to customize your energy bites and create your fave combos.)

But first things first – let’s start with the recipe for the ones I made. I’ve provided the quantity as a guideline. You may need to add more/less depending on the consistency and the flavours you like.

Also, if you have a food processor this will be soooo much easier (I don’t have one- so I put my small food chopper to work.) I wouldn’t recommend using a blender because it ends up a sticky gummy ball whirling around in the bottom (I’ve tried it and quickly regretted it).

Ingredients

• Medjool Dates (pitted) – approx. 14 dates
• Flaked unsweetened coconut – 1/4 cup
• Handful of natural almonds (finely chopped)
• Natural Peanut Butter – approx. 3 tbsp. (I took it out of fridge for about 10 mins. to soften up a bit)
• Water – as needed (approx. 3 tbsp.)

Directions

1. Blend the Medjool dates and 2 tbsp. water together in small chopper until the dates breakdown into smaller chunks.
2. Add the 2 tbsp of peanut butter, almonds and blend again.
3. At this point you may need to add more water/peanut butter to get the right consistency (you want to be able to roll it and not have large chunks of date).
4. Once you’ve blended to the right consistency, put mixture into a bowl and stir in coconut.
5. Roll into balls and place in freezer safe container.

Yield: 24 bites

Note: If you are lucky enough to have a food processor – you can add all the ingredients together and blend (adding water 1 tbsp. at time) to get the right consistency for rolling.

Fool Proof Formula for Customizing your Energy Bites

• 1 cup dried fruit (dates, figs, mango, apricot, berries)
• 1 cup nuts/seeds (coconut, almonds, cashews, walnut, chia, flax or pumpkin seeds)
• Nut butter (peanut, coconut, cashew etc.) about 3 tbsp
• Water as needed to get the right consistency (1-3 tbsp)

For other quick and healthy snacks, check out these simple egg and bacon muffins or these smoked salmon bites.

Joyful Hostess Tip: Customize the flavour of your energy bites by adding cocoa or spices like: gingerbread spice, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla.