High fiber and Protein Energy Bites

I have been looking for healthy snacks that could help curb my sweet tooth and cravings for chocolate, so I combined a variation of my no-bake cookie recipe with a healthier one from homemade granola bars to come up with what I call a high protein and fiber energy bite.  To be honest, I never thought this much protein and fiber could taste so good. But, I guarantee you will fall in love with these high fiber and protein energy bites and hopefully switch from cookies to these when you are looking to curb your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

1 cup oatmeal {I used old fashioned organic oats}
½ cup gluten-free granola mix
½ cup ground flaxseed
½ cup natural peanut butter
½ cup walnuts {or almonds}
¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries
½ to ¾ cup maple syrup {you could also use 1/3 cup honey}*
1 Tbsp natural cocoa
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

In a medium or large mixing bowl combine all ingredients {in no particular order} until well blended. Place in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to let them set up.  Remove from fridge and roll into golf ball sized balls.

Enjoy!

These are a great snack to power you through the day, give to kids for after school snacks or to bring along to sports practice. Both flaxseed and peanut butter are high in protein and raisins and flaxseed are high in fiber.  Oatmeal and granola offer whole grains, while walnuts/almonds offer healthy fatty omegas and the syrup/honey, cocoa and vanilla offer a healthier option to sweeten the mix instead of using sugars, chocolate chips, etc.

* I chose not to use honey this go around because I’ve read that honey shouldn’t be consumed by children under 1 years of age and I am breastfeeding and didn’t want to chance anything. So maple syrup it was and it worked great!

My new favorite healthy protein and fiber rich snack!