Peanut Butter No Bake Gluten Free Energy Bites

Peanut Butter No Bake Gluten Free Energy Bites

These no bake gluten free energy bites are delicious, satisfying and so easy to make. They cost about 20¢ each to make—and might cost you about $1.79 each to buy (no joke).

I’ve been making some version of these no bake gluten free energy bites for months now. I would bring them everywhere for my kids, share them with friends and they would oooh and ahhh.

Since the recipe is so dead simple, when people asked for the recipe, I simply recited it from memory as best I could. Since I was using hemp seeds (they are so protein-packed it’s ridiculous), I pretty much figured the recipe wasn’t really worth sharing.

But then, as often happens, I spied with my little eye a package of hulled hemp seeds at my local Trader Joe’s. And just like that, it was time to share!

This really is a no-bake recipe when you make it as written. But I cannot tell a lie: I toast the oats, coconut and seeds in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes at the start.

You may not want to put on the oven for something that should be no-bake. But I have my oven on every single day of the year (occupational hazard) anyway, summertime included.

Since toasting the oats, coconut and seeds really does intensify and deepen the flavors, you could also try toasting them on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet. If the oven simply isn’t an option.

If you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s or just don’t shop there and you can’t find hemp seeds, I have tons of suggestions for other ingredients to use in their place.

Can’t have peanut butter? Most any other nut butter will do. You pretty much can’t go wrong. If your family is always hungry like mine seems to be, these are a great solution!

Oh, and I also have a grain-free version, if the oats are a no-no for you!

Ingredients

2 cups (200 g) certified gluten free rolled oats

2 cups (80 g) unsweetened coconut flakes

1 cup (160 g) hulled raw hemp seeds (can substitute chia seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, flax seeds or pumpkin seeds)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 cups (320 g) smooth peanut butter (can substitute almond butter another favorite nut butter; if you use sunbutter, you may have to rebalance the moisture balance with more oats or coconut flakes)

1/2 cup (168 g) honey

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 ounces miniature chocolate chips

Directions

• Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. In a large bowl, place the oats, coconut flakes, hemp seeds and salt, and mix to combine well. Set the bowl aside. If you would like to intensify the flavor of these ingredients, you can place them all together on a lined baking sheet in a single layer and toast them in a 300°F oven (or toaster oven, in batches) for about 15 minutes, stirring once. Then proceed with the recipe as written.

• In a separate large, microwave-safe bowl, place the peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract, and mix to combine. Microwave the peanut butter and honey mixture on 60% power for 30 seconds to loosen the mixture and make it easier to combine with the dry ingredients. Add the oat and coconut dry mixture to the peanut butter and honey mixture, and mix until well-combined. Allow the mixture to cool for at least 10 minutes, and then add the miniature chocolate chips. Mix until the chips are evenly distributed throughout. If you add the chips when the mixture is hot, the chips will all melt.

• Scoop the mixture by the heaping tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheet (a #50 ice cream scoop works perfectly). You should have about 36 portions. Roll each portion tightly into a ball between your palms. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill until firm. Serve chilled. They will hold their shape at room temperature, but I prefer them chilled.

Original article and pictures take http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/peanut-butter-no-bake-gluten-free-energy-bites/ site