Protein Bites - a Healthy Snack!

Oh. My. Word. If you are looking for a delicious and healthy snack, especially around this time of year, then you will want to try these protein bites!! You can customize them anyway you please, and they are so yummy, you will definitely want more than one! My kids even love them, so they are a great thing to make ahead of time for a snack; they can even help make them!!

 I will give you the basic recipe I used from Pinterest, and then give you some ideas for add-ins that you could use as well! I recently made these alongside some fudge for a Christmas event I did, and it was not only nice that there was a healthy option for dessert, but they all loved them and asked for the recipe!! So, even if you are headed to a cookie exchange, here is a healthy option you could bring! Tastes like dessert!! And of course, I love anything with peanut butter in it! Enjoy!!

Protein Bites
Gimme Some Oven
Adapted from Smashed Peas & Carrots

Yields: About 20-25 balls, depending on the size

Ingredients:
1 cup (dry) oatmeal (like old-fashioned oats)
2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs (optional)
1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Stir all the ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.
2. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like (about 1 inch is what I did.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Here are some ideas for add-ins:
Different kinds of chips (butterscotch, milk chocolate, white chocolate, cinnamon chips)
Different nut butters (almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, etc.)
Different sweeteners

You could probably add in all sorts of different things to your liking, like dried cranberries, raisins, dates, different kinds of nuts...the possibilities are endless and depend on your likes/favorites!

These are so yummy and simple to make, you may want to make a double or triple batch! They will go fast!

Enjoy!