These cashew butter oatmeal energy bites are quick to make and taste like chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. They’re the perfect gluten-free, dairy-free snack for nursing mamas and anyone else who’s hungry!
I’m popping in on this dreary February day to share a recipe that I’ve been making for over a year now: oatmeal cookie energy bites. These little balls taste like oatmeal cookie dough and are one of the first things I made when I started cooking again after taking time off for Madeline’s birth–although for these, no actual cooking is required!
I was avoiding oats for a while since they’re high in carbohydrates, but when I read that they supposedly help with milk supply while breastfeeding, I added them back in. I didn’t do anything very scientific to compare before and after, but I did find that my milk output seemed higher when enjoying these bites and other oat-based foods, and my energy levels were definitely higher!
If you’re looking for an oat recipe that’s an actual baked cookie, check out these peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. They’re almost as easy as these oatmeal cookie energy bites, and are also free of gluten and dairy!
I don’t want you to think these are just for nursing mothers, though–they’re for anyone and everyone who likes oatmeal cookies and having energy! My husband loves these, and so does my friend Lindsey. She’s actually the one who inspired me to finally take photos of these with my actual camera and share them here on my site.
I shared the basic formula and a phone photo for this recipe on Instagram stories over a year ago, and have gotten several requests for the recipe in an easier-to-access format. When Lindsey mentioned she was making these again last week, I knew it was time for me to make them again, too–to snack on and to photograph for a blog post for you!
These energy bites are beyond easy to make, and they’re customizable, too–if you don’t like or don’t have cashew butter, you can use almond butter or peanut butter (any other nut or seed butter should work, too, but I haven’t had a chance to try every single one).
If you don’t have collagen or don’t need the extra protein, you can leave that out. You can even leave out the chocolate chips if you prefer oatmeal cookies without, although I can’t imagine many people do!
Here’s how to make these oatmeal cookie energy bites: mix rolled oats with cashew butter (Georgia Grinders is my favorite), maple syrup, collagen if you want more protein, and a little vanilla. The vanilla extract is key to making these taste like oatmeal cookies! I use and love Rodelle. If your cashew butter is unsalted, add a couple pinches of sea salt. Mix thoroughly, then scoop and roll into balls! Done. I like to store these in the fridge but they also keep well on the counter.
Do you eat oats? Do you have a favorite recipe for energy bites (with or without oats)? I’m always looking to expand my snack repertoire, so let me know in the comments. Here are a few that caught my eye that I’m eager to try (sorry for the rhyme! It’s Monday and I can’t think of a good way to fix my accidental poet moment!): date energy balls from Detoxinista, paleo blueberry energy balls from A Saucy Kitchen, five-ingredient pecan date energy bites from Real Simple Good, and pumpkin pie energy bites from The Big Man’s World.
Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites
These cashew butter oatmeal energy bites are quick to make and taste like chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. They're the perfect gluten-free, dairy-free snack for nursing mamas and anyone else who's hungry!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cashew butter*
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1-2 scoops collagen (optional)**
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips***
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl.
- Scoop out heaping tablespoons of dough and roll into balls (a small ice cream disher makes this very easy).
- Serve right away, or store in an airtight container (these will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days or on the counter for up to two days).
Notes
*If your cashew butter is unsalted, add a couple of pinches of sea salt (Georgia Grinders makes my absolute favorite cashew butter and it has the perfect amount of sea salt already mixed in). You can also use creamy almond or peanut butter instead of cashew. Other nut and seed butters will likely work well, too, but those are the ones I've tested myself.
**If the collagen makes the mixture a little too dry to roll well, add a little more nut butter.
***I love mini chocolate chips for this recipe (I use Enjoy Life), but regular-sized chocolate chips also work--the energy bites just won't look quite as cute, and obviously the chunks of chocolate will be bigger.
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