No-Bake Energy Bites

Okay, I’m feeling a teensy bit guilty about throwing brownies and cookies at you lately.  It’s just not nice especially if you are watching your figure. Funny thing is, like I told you before, I’m in the middle of doing the Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred. As you can imagine, cookies and brownies are not on that diet plan. All this guilt sent me looking for a healthy snack today. Plus, after working my tail off to get all three Baby Jogger City Mini videos up today, I had to make something. Remember, baking is my stress reliever!

I actually saw this recipe on Access Hollywood Live right before the holidays but I could never find it on their website after the episode aired. Wouldn’t you know it – it popped up on my Pinterest feed today. Perfect. This was just what I was looking for. Something easy. Something half-way healthy. Something yummy. Let me tell you, I would never share it with you if it weren’t yummy!

So, I present you…No-Bake Energy Bars!  It’s kind of like eating raw cookie dough without the raw egg or the guilt. Let me warn you – they are addictive! Definitely hard to eat just one. Good thing it’s mostly healthy for you so eat a few. No big deal. Oh, yeah…found this recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots (but I’m sure they didn’t invent it because this one is a oldie but a goodie even according to them!).

No-Bake Energy Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
• 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Method:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed.  Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like.  (I suggest about 1″ in diameter.)  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.