Cherry Pecan Energy Bites
Sweet, nutty, and crunchy - these bars are SOO good and easy to make! All you need is a food processor.
They have peanuts and pecans, plus I added some protein powder, so they make a perfect pre- or post-workout snack balanced with carbs, fat, and protein.
Use a vegan protein powder and maple syrup instead honey to make it vegan-friendly. Just blend it all up in your food processor, press into a pan, chill, slice, and enjoy!
Makes 8 bars or ~24 bites
Ingredients
½ cup (120g) peanut butter
1 tbsp (21g) honey - maple syrup for vegan option
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
½ cup (70g) peanuts
½ cup (70g) pecans
½ cup (40g) old fashioned rolled oats
⅛ cup (28g) dried cherries
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp himalayan salt
Optional: 2 tbsp (20g) quinoa crisps *
Directions
Add all ingredients to a food processor, blend together until smooth and mixture can be pressed into a ball - takes a minute or two. If it’s not sticking but fully processed, add more peanut butter. If it’s too sticky, add more oats. The ratios can vary depending on the thickness of the peanut butter.
For Bars: Line a loaf pan or baking dish with parchment paper (I used a ~8x6 glass Tupperware) - the size doesn’t really matter, you just want the layer to be at least ½ an inch thick. Add the mixture and press firmly to form into a smooth and even layer. Refrigerate for a few hours before cutting.
For Bites: Roll the mixture into about 24 bite-sized balls (~16g per bite).
Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Notes
Quinoa crisps are optional, but add a nice extra crunch.
To Make: Cook quinoa according to box directions. Spread cooked quinoa in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking pan and roast in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes. Stir them around, then roast for another 5-10 minutes or until they are crunchy. Let cool completely before using or storing in an air-tight container at room temperature.