Delicious and very easy to make, these Banana & Nut Butter Energy Bites are like having a slice of your favourite banana bread. They are a no bake recipe and very adaptable to suit your personal preferences plus they keep in the freezer for whenever you need a healthy snack. I’ve included how to make them Gluten Free, Vegan and Nut Free below

Made with organic peanut butter or nut butter of choice, they are packed with banana, walnuts (good for your heart), chia seeds, protein powder (optional) and oats. They are easily made gluten free or vegan and are perfect for a snack when you’re busy. A great way to use up ripe bananas that are left in the bowl!

You can leave out the protein powder or use another flavour.

Make them vegan by using maple syrup, agave syrup and using a plant based protein powder.

Make them gluten free by subbing the oats for your favourite gluten free ones.

Make them nut free by using sunflower or pumpkin seed butter

I love that these energy bites are kept in the freezer and you just grab one when needed. Also everything is just bunged into a food processor so only one thing to wash up!

Ingredients:

• 150g ripe banana, peeled (about 1 and a half bananas)
• 70g organic peanut butter* or sub with your favourite plant butter
• 65g honey / maple syrup / agave syrup
• 50g walnuts (sub Sunflower seeds for Nut Free)
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 160g oats (Gluten Free if needed)
• 30g protein powder (optional)

*Check the peanut butter you use has no added sugar or sweetener

Drizzle:

30g dark chocolate chips (dairy, gluten, vegan if needed and 1 tsp coconut oil

*You can add mini chocolate chips after pulsing the dough in place of drizzling with melted chocolate

Method:

Set up your food processor with the blades and add the oats. Give them a quick pulse.

Then add in the remainder of the ingredients and pulse until everything is combined and begins to clump like a biscuit batter. You might need to scrape down the sides a couple of times.

Remove the blade! Then use your hands or an ice cream scoop to take some of the dough and roll into balls. It’s up to you how bit or small you make them but I would suggest around the size of a table tennis ball.

Line a baking sheet with parchment and place the energy bites on this and into the freezer for 30 minutes.

Next melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in short bursts until melted. Stir well. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the energy bites and put them back in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Keep them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Enjoy them straight from the freezer when you want a tasty pick me up. Let them sit for 5 mins if they are a bit hard to bite into.

Let me know if you make these by posting a comment below or post a picture and tag cozebakes on Instagram or Facebook

Soraya x