Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

By Sheila Kealey

If you are looking for a nutritious “whole food” way to fuel your workouts, these little bites are for you! They are simple to make, delicious, and a terrific alternative to commercial energy bars. Their bite-size portion is often “just right,” so you can dole out energy as you need fuel during long runs or hikes. The oats and raisins are a good source of carbohydrates, the peanuts provide healthy fats, rounded off with a double-chocolate hit of cocoa and chocolate chips.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1-1/2 cup rolled oats (quick, regular, or large – you’re going to grind them up anyways!)
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips
  • 2-3 tbsp. water (if needed)

Directions

  1. Place raisins and oats in food processor. Process for about 30 seconds.
  2. Put peanut butter and chocolate chips in a small measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds.
  3. Add peanut butter mixture and cocoa to oats and raisins in food processor and pulse until well incorporated. If the mixture looks a bit dry, add a little water and process again (1-2 tablespoons).
  4. Scoop the mixture out of food processor with a wet tablespoon to roll into balls in the palm of your hand (you should get about 16, but vary the size to suit your needs). You might find this easier if you wet your hands to roll the balls.
  5. Store in the fridge until hardened, about an hour. You can keep these in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Nutrition Per Serving (one energy bite)

  • 105 calories
  • 3 g protein
  • 17 g carbohydrate
  • 4 g fat
  • 0 mg cholesterol
  • 5 g fiber
  • 5 mg sodium
  • 180 mg potassium
  • 11 mg calcium
  • 31 mg magnesium
  • 1 mg iron

Chocolate energy bites bowl (640x427)

This recipe is from sheilakealey.com. Visit the site for more healthy recipes and sports nutrition articles.

Sheila Kealey is a health promotion consultant, writer, and athlete passionate about encouraging lifestyle habits that promote good health. She has a Masters’ degree in Public Health and has collaborated on many research articles related to diet and health. Sheila cross country ski races with XC Ottawa, and also competes in triathlons and running races (5k’s are her favourite, but she has gone the distance once, running a 2:57 marathon). Sheila loves developing healthy recipes, and sharing advice on nutrition, physical activity, sports science, and tasty nourishing foods on twitter and her website.