Apple Cinnamon Oat Energy Bites
Our friend Kristy from Chocolate Slopes has created a tasty, nutritious snack with Michigan Apples!
Now that we have unofficially started the holiday season, I’m all about making snacks and meals simple. Of course as a dietitian, I also still strive to provide wholesome nutritious foods to my family. That’s why I create simple snacks like these energy bites that are loved by my entire family.
You may be thinking you don’t have time to make homemade snacks, let alone get a homemade meal on the dinner table. If so, I don’t blame you. However, it’s simpler than you may think. I often prep a few meals on the weekend, making enough to serve leftovers and cook simple vegetable side dishes throughout the week (like this Roasted Vegetables with Apples recipe). Then when it comes to snacks, I serve fresh fruits, raw vegetables with hummus, and sometimes homemade snacks like these Apple Cinnamon Oat Energy Bites. With only 7 ingredients, including a fresh Michigan apple, these bites take only 10 minutes to prep and you likely already have all the ingredients in your house. And the best part is kids can help make them!
Apple Cinnamon Oat Energy Bites
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Refrigerate: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup dates, pitted (about 5)
1/4 cup unsalted almonds
1 medium apple, finely chopped
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey
Optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons sugar
Place first 3 ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for about 5 seconds or until ingredients are evenly chopped.
Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Remove from refrigerator and form into 1-inch balls.
Optional: combine 1 teaspoon cinnamon with 3 tablespoons sugar and roll each ball into cinnamon sugar mix.
Keep sealed in a container in refrigerator.
Kristy Hegner, MPH, RDN is a nutrition and food blogger at www.chocolateslopes.com. Kristy received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Michigan State University and her Master of Public Health degree from Wayne State University. At Chocolate Slopes you’ll find healthy (along with some indulgent) recipes, realistic nutrition tips and the motto “everything in moderation.”
