These healthy snack bites take less than 10 minutes to make and you probably have all of the ingredients sitting in your pantry. Kids adore them! Great after school or anytime snack with no preservatives or unknown ingredients.
Original post: August 29, 2017 | Post updated: March 31, 2020
It’s a crazy time, people. We’re being brought back to a place of simplicity and staples in just about every aspect of life. It is so easy to highlight the negative parts of this ordeal, but goodness is here. It is definitely here.
I have had so much more time to enjoy with my boys and I’m soaking it up. We have been rocking the home-school routine. We’ve been baking and kitchen-creating together and even documenting some of it (see video below!).
We had so much fun reviving an old recipe, one that we made over 3 years ago! Keep reading for a super easy way to get your kids in the kitchen. It’s a win-win, because your kids will also have a healthy snack to munch on!
MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTHY SNACK BITES BY WATCHING THIS QUICK VIDEO TUTORIAL
Enjoy the step-by-step video tutorial we have created for this recipe! Our goal is to make your time in the kitchen as easy as possible and to ensure that your version of this recipe is a success. See our full collection of cooking and baking videos on YouTube!
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY SNACK BITES
Such a quick and easy finger food for your kiddos – these no bake energy bites are protein packed, there are so many variations to enjoy!
Combine the following ingredients in a large bowl:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Mix well. Form 1-inch balls using your hands and place on a plate in a single layer. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!If the mixture seems to dry, add extra honey or maple syrup (1 Tbsp at a time). If it seems too wet add a bit more oatmeal (1 Tbsp at a time).
Place the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will help the bites stick together when you roll them. Scoop out about 1-tablespoon chunks and roll into the shape of a 1-inch ball. Repeat until batter is gone. You should end up with about 15 snack bites.
Keep refrigerated enjoy chilled straight from the fridge!Mix well. Form 1-inch balls using your hands and place on a plate in a single layer. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!
WHAT ARE SNACK BITES
Snack bites are a great little snack that you can make in a jiff. Sometimes you’ll see them called energy bites, protein balls, power balls or truffles. They are packed full of healthy, natural ingredients, tucked into a little ball and they’re a perfect way to stave off cravings.
They also give you a boost during your day and help you avoid bingeing on cookies and candy or garlic bread! BONUS: they fulfill sweet tooth cravings, so it’s almost like a healthy dessert!
HOW BIG SHOULD I ROLL MY SNACK BITES
Whether you want to make your snack bites bite size or be able to enjoy several bites with each ball, you can tailor the snack bites to your preference. This recipe is made for 15 round balls so feel free to make them larger or smaller based on your preference.
POSSIBLE INGREDIENT OPTIONS/SUBSTITUTIONS
- Use 1 cup of oatmeal (any variety)
- Use 1/2 cup any nut butter (peanut butter, nutella or almond butter)
- Use 1/4 cup sticky sweetener (honey, maple syrup or agave syrup)
- Extras (use any of these): salt (no more than 1/4 tsp), sugar (no more than 2 tbsp), cinnamon (no more than 1/4 tsp), vanilla or almond extract (no more than 1 tsp)
- Power mixins (use any combination, but do not exceed 2 tbsp): ground flaxseed, wheat germ or chia seeds, protein powder
- Indulgent mixins (usa any combination, but do not exceed 1/2 cup): any variety chocolate chips, dried fruit (coconut flakes, raisins, cherries, apricots, cranberries), chopped nuts or seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts)
HOW TO STORE ENERGY BALLS
Great news! These are super easy to make, so take the time to make another batch and freeze them! They freeze really well. You can store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Freeze a batch of snack bites for up to 3 months.
HEALTHY FOODS FOR PICKY KIDS
Knowing you can help your kids get the nutrients they need in more than one form is what we want to help you accomplish! We’ve put together a list of delicious foods that our kids don’t see as healthy but allow them to enjoy eating their fruits and/or vegetables in a snack or breakfast item. You’ll be happy they’re eating better choices and they are happy to be blissfully unaware.
- Healthy Breakfast Cookies – These cookies aren’t just for breakfast and they are deceptively delicious. Kids will never know how healthy they are!
- Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups – Eliminate artificial and unknown ingredients by making your own homemade fruit roll-ups! This is the ultimate snack food for kids. Great for lunch boxes, too!
- Healthy Breakfast Muffins – Enjoy breakfast the healthy way! Whip up a batch of these muffins as a perfect on-the-go meal or a snack to stay on track with healthy eating. These breakfast muffins are beyond delicious plus they’re packed with good stuff.
- No Bake Granola Bars – These Healthy No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars are the perfect snack for little ones. Filled with dried fruit and chocolate, peanut butter and honey, you will satisfy your sweet tooth with a snack you can feel good about eating. There is something comforting about knowing EXACTLY what goes into your kids’ bodies.
- Instant Pot Applesauce – Make your next batch of applesauce in your Instant Pot for an added touch of delicious flavor! This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and takes just a few minutes to make. It is a great way to use up apples, it is the perfect snack for kids and it never lasts long in my house.
Healthy Snack Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
- 1/4 cup honey or other sticky sweetener
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup dried cherries or other dried fruit
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. If the mixture seems to dry, add extra honey or maple syrup (1 Tbsp at a time). If it seems too wet add a bit more oatmeal (1 Tbsp at a time).
- Place the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will help the bites stick together when you roll them. Scoop out about 1-tablespoon chunks and roll into the shape of a 1-inch ball. Repeat until batter is gone. You should end up with about 15 snack bites. Keep refrigerated enjoy chilled straight from the fridge!
Notes
- Use 1 cup of oatmeal (any variety)
- Use 1/2 cup any nut butter (peanut butter, nutella or almond butter)
- Use 1/4 cup sticky sweetener (honey, maple syrup or agave syrup)
- Extras (use any of these): salt (no more than 1/4 tsp), sugar (no more than 2 tbsp), cinnamon (no more than 1/4 tsp), vanilla or almond extract (no more than 1 tsp)
- Power mixins (use any combination, but do not exceed 2 tbsp): ground flaxseed, wheat germ or chia seeds, protein powder
- Indulgent mixins (usa any combination, but do not exceed 1/2 cup): any variety chocolate chips, dried fruit (coconut flakes, raisins, cherries, apricots, cranberries), chopped nuts or seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts)
I just made these with my kiddo! Such a fun and easy snack to make. We all love them. We used raisins instead of cherries. Need to make up a bunch more and freeze them for later!
I’m so glad you made them together! Raisins are a delicious choice. Freezing them is a great plan!