These chocolate peanut butter energy bites will power you through everything from a tough workout to a hungry afternoon!

Finally, finally, the weather is warming up. Did I mention finally? This winter seemed especially long and dark and punishing, so the increasingly mild weather and longer days make Chicago morph into a completely different city. You know what I mean, right? All of a sudden, people who have been holed up in their houses since last year come pouring out their front doors wearing running shoes and grasping dog leashes. All of a sudden, the whole population becomes athletic. Going from the sedentary winter lifestyle to the active summer one, taking advantage of every minute of extra sunlight, takes a lot of energy.

These little chocolate peanut butter energy bites are packed with healthy energy. I ate two before my last run and ended up going almost twice as far as I expected to. They contain no refined sugar (aside from a negligible amount in the chocolate chips) to avoid an energy spike and then crash, and the fat in the peanut butter and the fiber in the oatmeal and flax seed means they digest slowly for sustained energy. They are also quick and easy to make from ingredients you probably have on hand. You may not have ground flax seed on hand, but you can get it at nearly any health food store, or online, these days. Or feel free to just leave it out. They can also be made gluten-free if you want. Just make sure you use GF oats.

This recipe that is fast and easy, perfect for beginners. It requires a big mixing bowl and a microwave. After blending everything together, you roll the bites with your hands. And then you’re done – no baking required. This is the easiest “baking” you’ll ever do!

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Yield: 20

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

These chocolate peanut butter energy bites will powder you through everything from a tough workout to a hungry afternoon!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup ground flax
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch fine sea salt
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil,, melted and slightly cooled
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients (oats, flax seed, cocoa, cinnamon, salt) plus the chocolate chips and raisins.
2. In another, microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and honey. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, until honey is melted and peanut butter is softened. 
3. Add the olive oil and vanilla to the honey-peanut butter mixture, and stir everything together.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix using a fork, or better yet, your hands. 
5. When everything is very thoroughly combined (this will take a few minutes), use a teaspoon or a small ice cream scoop to form 1.5" round balls of dough. In the palm of your hand, pack them together very tightly so that they don't fall apart when you put them down.
6. Store in an airtight container for a week to 10 days. 

Notes

• You may need to add additional oil if your peanut butter is from the bottom of the jar and is too dry to stir into a paste that will keep the balls together.
• Makes 18-20 1.25" round energy bites.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1 Energy Bite
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 133Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 55mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave me a comment and rating, or tag me on Instagram using @nora_acleanbake or #acleanbake!