In the time it take you to grab a not-so-healthy snack, you could make these Coconut Cranberry Granola Energy Bites! Easily confused for a treat. You’ll love ’em.
I am a total drive-by snacker (please don’t judge)! Since I work at home and spend much time at the computer I tend to lose track of time. Suddenly, I’ll be famished and want to grab something fast. It tends to be something easy like a cheese stick; who am I kidding, multiple cheese sticks.
Somehow when it gets cold my great warm-weather devotion to smoothies, fresh fruits and vegetables goes out the window. Layer on the sweets of the holidays and I’m a goner.
I live in an uber healthy place. Women in yoga pants is almost a local uniform. People who DON’T ‘run’ are the anomaly. Smoothies, smoothie bowls, matcha powder, energy bars and energy drinks are what all the cool kids eat. I have made bars, like No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cereal Bars and Supersonic Peanut Butter Energy Bars. And I used to make Fall Spice Mini Muffins packed with chia and hemp seeds to give my kids more protein. But I’ve never made energy bites. Until now.
I love granola and after a long hiatus when becoming gluten-free my friends at Udi’s have saved the day with great flavors of gluten-free granola. However I’m a re-purposer at heart. I can’t resist taking something intended for one use and turning it into something else. That was the inspiration for this recipe: what else can I use granola for?
Thanks to that I came up with what is definitely my current favorite snack and my family’s too: Coconut Cranberry Granola Energy Bites. Have you made energy bites or energy balls? I so wish someone would have told me they take 5 minutes and have so much more going on than the pounds of cheese I’ve been eating (no offense to cheese but these pack a punch of nutrients and energy fuel).
I really love texture in my food and one of the many things I love about these Coconut Cranberry Granola Energy Bites is the ‘crunch’ thanks to the granola and coconut flakes on the outside. It’s a great compliment to the other creamy ingredients. For those not completely keen on coconut, they do not taste overwhelmingly coconutty, no worries.
The mix of almond butter, Udi’s Vanilla Granola, hemp seeds (chia seeds could also be used), honey and dried cranberries are a great flavor combo and they are mixed up in minutes in the food processor! Scoop them out with a small cookie scoop and you have perfect energy bites ready to roll in grated coconut. Keep them in a sealed container for snacking at home or on the go, after a workout or to send them to school with the kids! They are naturally sweet so taste like a treat too.
Recipe
Coconut Cranberry Granola Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups Vanilla Granola, regular or gluten-free
- 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries (sweetened)
- 1/4 cup Hemp Hulls/seeds (or Chia Seeds)
- 1/2 cup Almond Butter
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Finely Shredded Coconut
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Place all ingredients EXCEPT the coconut in the food processor and pulse until ingredients form a batter-type consistency.
- Place the coconut in a small bowl. Scoop out enough of the mixture to form 1-inch diameter balls (a cookie scoop is perfect for this). Place the ball into the coconut and roll to cover (the balls will be sticky) and then onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat to use all of the mixture.
- Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator to allow the energy bites to chill and set. They should be stored in a sealed container.
Rosey says
This is just the kind of snack I like to take to work. Keeps me going at the midday slump.
Toni Dash says
Me too Rosey. 3 p.m. is the worst for me!
Tara says
I love energy bites. They take so little time to make and taste great too. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
These look very yummy.
They have some interesting tastes that I like together.
Last week, I made cranberry chicken and my husband loved it.
Toni Dash says
That sounds delicious!
Kelly Hutchinson says
Yum! These look so good! I could always use more energy. I will definitely be making some of these.
Autumn Reo says
I keep seeing these energy bite recipes. But I love this one with the cranberries and coconut. This is great idea for an afternoon snack for the kids.
Olivia Dougalss says
Yum! I am always looking for snacks to have on hand! Thanks for the delicious and easy recipe!
Aimee Smith says
These would be so perfect to have around for snacking. can’t wait to try them!
Cinny says
Yes, I totally need to get back on the health train. This would be perfect!
Theresa says
I’m also terrible with grabbing unhealthy snacks or overindulging by the time I realized I missed breakfast or lunch. I’d love to keep a container of these on hand for a better snacking option. They sound amazing!
Diana Rambles says
I love energy bites. What a great combination to add cranberry!