Dark chocolate cherry energy bites are a healthy, gluten free snack, perfect for pre- or post workout.
The new year always brings thoughts of starting anew. Starting a healthy eating plan, or setting up new goals to accomplish for the year. Or starting a new workout routine.
Maybe you’ve already been on the hunt for some new healthy recipes to incorporate into your meal planning. Might I suggest incorporating these healthy dark chocolate cherry energy bites?
The combination of oats, honey, peanut butter and some other energy boosting ingredients will have you ready to tackle those big goals.
The basics of energy bites
So here’s the thing. Maybe you’re not a fan of cherries. Or maybe you’re not a fan of chocolate. {Which how could you be if you landed here?}.
The greatest part about energy bites, or protein balls as you might also hear them, is that they’re fully customizable.
You just need a few key ingredients to get you on your way.
- Sticky sweetener – I like using honey because it’s extra sticky and plays really well with a bunch of other flavors. You could also opt for pure maple syrup, but sometimes the sticky factor isn’t quite there.
- Protein binder – protein provides sustainable energy, hence the energy bites. I love using peanut butter in most of my energy bites. It provides a healthy fat, along with protein. Almond butter, or cashew butter would also be great choices here.
- Oats – one of your key ingredients for a successful energy bite. Oats are not only heart healthy, but also have plenty of fiber which helps keep your blood sugar level. So no crazy spikes or crashes.
Once you have those basics down, what you add from there is completely up to you.
Dark chocolate cherry flavor
I started with the basics: oats, honey and peanut butter. Then added in some uncooked quinoa {more protein}, cocoa powder for a rich chocolate taste and then dried cherries and dark chocolate chips.
If you have a chocolate protein powder you love, you could also sub that in for the cocoa powder.
The dried cherries add a tart, yet sweet, chewy flavor and texture to the energy bites. While the dark chocolate really pops and plays perfectly with the cherries.
In just 15 minutes, you can have a popable snack that travels well. I’ve found them to be perfect for a quick post-workout snack. Or even a pre-dinner snack that tides me over until we’re ready for dinner.
Making a big batch of these and keeping them in the fridge is perfect for meal prep, or a grab and go snack.
What flavor combination will you make?
Looking for more energy bite recipes? Check these out:
Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup uncooked quinoa
- ½ cup honey
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup dried cherries
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In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients until the mixture is well coated in the peanut butter and honey.
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Roll into 30 bite size balls {mine are about 2-3 bites} and store in an airtight container.
