I’m a big snacker. You know, one of those people on the 2-3 hour eating schedule…my body needs a constant supply of food and after about 3 hours with no snacks, I start to get hangry. I know, high maintenance. Or maybe just convenient, because then I have an excuse to make tasty treats like these Chocolate Quinoa Energy Bites!
I can guarantee if you open my freezer on any given day, I’ll have some type of energy bite in there, waiting to be snacked on when the hanger’s about to hit. Two of my favorite ones are Almond Joy Energy Bites and Chocolate Fudge Power Bites. And now these Chocolate Quinoa Energy Bites are definitely included on my list of favs…
These energy bites were inspired by a recipe from Brittany Motzkus. She’s a personal trainer who has a fabulous blog where she shares health and fitness tips, workouts and tasty recipes. She seriously inspires me and her workouts kick my butt! I made a few tweaks to her recipe according to what I had in my pantry at the moment, and was pleasantly surprised. I’d never used cooked quinoa in energy bites before and I absolutely fell in love with the idea. These little power houses are packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you full and energized until your next meal. They even satisfy my high-maintenance snacking needs. Now that’s a success story if I’ve ever heard one. 😉
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup oats
- ½ cup chocolate protein powder. We recommend this brand.
- ¼ cup ground flax seed
- ½ cup creamy almond butter
- ½ cup raw honey
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped almonds
Instructions
- Mix everything except the almonds in a mixer.
- Roughly chop the almonds and mix them into the "dough" with your hands.
- Roll into balls and freeze for at least three hours to harden. (*see notes)
- Store in the freezer in an air-tight container.
Notes
*The dough can seem very sticky. This is OK. If it's too sticky to roll into balls, place in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to harden before rolling into balls.
*Feel free to get creative! You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, any type of nuts or sweeteners of your choice!
*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product from a link, we receive a portion of the earnings. This doesn’t affect your price in any way, and we appreciate your help to keep Kiwi and Carrot up and running!
36 Comments
Yum! These look perfect for right before hitting the gym!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Kari, they seriously are! I’ll eat them before or after my workouts and they give me a great energy boost!
YUM! These look like a great, healthy, energizing snack. I’ll definitely have to try this recipe!
Thanks Christine! They really are a healthy and yummy treat…give them a try and let us know what you think!
Energy bites are all the thing right now. My daughter makes them with her boys all the time.
Candy, they are really popular right now, but once you give them a try, you know why! 😉
Wow, a healthy recipe involving chocolate! Did I just arrive in heaven? 😀
Haha Tanya, we’re right there with ya 😉
These look absolutely delicious and super simple to make! Yum! Good thing I’m on my lunch break!!
Thanks Michelle! They really are simple to make. Only takes a few minutes and then you’re set for snacks for the next few weeks! (Or days if you eat them like I do…oops) 😉
I totally have to try these!! They look yummy!!!
Xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
If you try them, let us know what you think!
Love making my own energy bites for healthy snacks! These look delicious 🙂
Liz, I’m glad you agree with us. Energy bites are the BOMB.com!
Looks seriously delicious!
Thanks Dom! Hope you like them as much as we do!!
These looks so yummy and healthy. I get the sweet tooth craving around 3pm everyday so this would be a great option (instead of chocolate).Thanks for sharing
Marleen, I’m so with ya on that. 3pm rolls around and I’m scavenging for something sweet! These energy bites have saved me ;)Hope you like them!
I’m a big snacker too and always am looking for more healthy snacks. This seem like they would totally git the bill of being healthy and they would satisfy my sweet tooth! Yum!
Roxy, They really are the perfect snack! Healthy, filling and yummy. Hope you enjoy them. Happy snacking 😉
These are fabulous! I am always looking for protein-filled energy bites. This recipe is now favorited. Yum!
Thanks Aarika! Hope you love them 🙂
These look super yummy!!
Thanks! Hope you like them 🙂
love energy balls! such a great traveling snack to stash in my purse
Leslie, We’re right there with ya! Energy balls are the best on-the-go snacks!
I love the idea of making these with quinoa! Never thought of that. I’ve made a few of these and this is a totally different take. Love it!
Isabel, it’s definitely a unique twist on the typical energy bite. Hope you like it as much as we do!
oh yummy! A chocolate treat that I don’t have to feel bad about!
Right? Gotta love “healthy chocolate” recipes 😉
For the quinoa – is it 1 cup of uncooked = 3 cups cooked for the recipe? Or is it cooked quinoa & use 1 cup?
Kelli, one cup cooked quinoa. Sorry for the confusion! We’ll try to make that more clear. Thanks and happy cooking:)
I don’t do protein powder – any substitutions? Maybe more nuts?
Rachel, the great thing about energy bites is you can tailor-make them to your taste! You could add mini chocolate chips or some cocoa powder for the chocolate taste. And yes! You could add more nuts, dried fruit, dates, etc. Good luck!
It was too sweet for me so I added another cup of cooked quinoa. Nice flavor & textures. Next time I’ll decrease the honey. Thanks for the recipe.
Glad you tried them! And I love how you adapted them based on your preferences. 🙂 Cheers!