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In my obsession to find delicious, nutrient-dense snacks for my surfers and mountain bikers, I seem to seek out energy treats and bars on every food site I visit.
Exploring the blog Fran’s Faves, as was my Secret Recipe Club task this month, I lingered on her Napa Valley Chicken Salad, drooled over the idea of her Strawberry salsa and her Cherry Smoothie (cherry season is upon us!), and bookmarked for fall her Braised Onions with Orange and Balsamic Vinegar, which she calls “gubbins.”
She’s practical, with a button called “College Corner,” in which she has her college-age kids add their thoughts as to how to simplify her recipes for that age bracket. Mental note: my daughter goes to college in two years. Eeeek!
Fran has a good sense of humor, including a button on her site she calls “Frantastic Originals.” Gotta love a girl who can play on words. And she admits to being a finalist in the “She-who-dies-with-the-most-recipes-wins” contest. Fran, I’ll give you a run for your money on that one!
But her No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars solved my problem of what surfing snack to make for my menfolk. I tweaked her recipe just a little to amp it up further, and I rolled it into little balls because I’m slightly fancy like that.
Fran’s a gem, and so are these.
Recipe: No-bake Peanut Butter Chia Seed Protein Bites
Summary: A nutrient-dense snack for surfers, mountain bikers, athletes and anyone who needs a bite of energy without too much sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy or chunky natural organic peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- ¼ cup vanilla-flavored protein powder
- 2 tablespoons oats (either regular or quick will work)
- 2 tablespoons ground flax
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds (I used Melissa’s White Chia Seeds)
- 1 tablespoon wheat germ
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat peanut butter and honey for 30-40 seconds in a microwave-safe bowl, and then stir to blend.
- Add rest of ingredients and stir in. Dough will be very stiff.
- Using clean hands, roll dough into 22-24 little balls. Place balls in lidded container and store either at room temperature or in refrigerator.
- Makes 22-24.
Source
Slightly adapted from this recipe at Fran’s Faves.
My Secret Recipe Club creations
Here is a list of what else I have made for the Secret Recipe Club since I joined the group. Check it out!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 minute
Diet type: Vegetarian
Number of servings (yield): 22
Culinary tradition: USA (General)
Melissa’s Produce sent the white chia seeds for recipe development.
You can see what other cooks in the Secret Recipe Club made this month, right below here in the array of photos. Click any of them to be transported to that particular recipe!
Welcome to my kitchen!
At ShockD, you’ll find scrumptious, tried & true, "scary good" recipes, tips and coaching to make YOU a fabulous home cook! Don't blame me if you need a 12-step program to wean yourself away!
E-mail me: Dorothy.Reinhold@gmail.com
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Made these today – delicious healthy snack perhaps made slightly unhealthier with the sub of black chia for white and addition of dried cranberries and a handful of chocolate chips. Used the medium sized cookie scoop so my balls were bigger netting an even dozen.
Margaret,
Yours sound scrumptious!
ooo never had chia. sounds interesting.
Nicole,
You must try it! I just made toast this morning and spread it with flavored cream cheese, and then sprinkled chia seeds on top. It has kept me full the whole morning!
All I can hear in my head is cha-cha-cha-chia! GREG
Greg,
HA! That proves how old you are!
I love this idea! I too will be packing a couple in my lunch bag, for a snack and as a pre-gym charge-me-up. Great post!
I made the energy bites you posted last month..think I will have to try these next! Great SRC pick!
Asiya,
Yeah, I know, I’m on a little bit of an obsessive streak here with the bites. But if you have athletic family members, you really need a few good recipes like these to keep you going!
Those look like such a GREAT little treat! Wonderful SRC pick, and thank you for sharing!!
I need to keep an eye out for chia seeds – where do you normally find them in your local stores?
Happy Reveal Day
Sarah,
I have found them near the other seeds (like sunflower seeds), and in the health food area of the regular grocery store. I can imagine some stores not exactly knowing where to put them, so you might have to ask. You can also find them at a Whole Foods or health food store, usually.
Love this idea! I’m always looking for quick bites to eat before my morning runs 🙂
These sound like a perfect snack! Putting these on my to-make list for the week! Yum. Great choice for SRC!
Hi Dorothy–our paths have crossed once again. I’m flattered by your nice write-up–thanks so much! Hope your kids enjoy the PB chia seed protein bites as much as we all do. They are also yummy using chocolate protein powder.
Fran,
We really did like these. I must try the chocolate protein powder soon!
THese sound great. I have two athletes so I’m marking these as a snack for them to eat to get energized. Great choice.
Looks like a great snack! I would be more concerned about the taste than the energy since I haven’t nor ever will be a surfer but I am sure this one hits high marks for both.
I love how these are so simple but so healthy! Hiking and biking season is upon us, so I’m definitely going to have to try these out! Great SRC pick!
These sound great, perfect with other nut butters too I’d imagine! Good SRC choice!
Yumm!! I make a varaition of these all the time! They are the perfect mid-morning snack or pre-workout meal 🙂
Yum! I’ve been looking for recipes like this to make to make for my kids. Great pick for SRC!
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