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These little trail mix energy bites are packed with all of the flavors you know and love from trail mix: chocolate, raisins and peanuts.
It’s been feeling more like summer than fall these past few weeks here in Madison, Wi. Saturday alone was up close to 90°, and I am totally okay with that. I know most of you are ready for Fall and sweaters and pumpkin spice and changing leaves. But me? I could hang on to this warm weather a whole lot longer!
So I took advantage of the warm weather and started my Saturday off with exercise {I know, I’m one of those crazy people who also works out on the weekend}. At 8 am it was already close to 70, so I took off for a nice long-ish run. Madison has some great walking/biking trails and there were many people out early enjoying this amazing weather.
After almost a 5 mile run {and an extra Tone It Up workout…again, crazy person ??} I was in need of some good fuel for my body. These little trail mix energy bites are such a great way to fuel up after a long and strenuous workout.
Traditional trail mix contains peanuts, raisins and of course, chocolate. You really can’t go without the chocolate. It’s what makes the raisins and peanuts taste good. These trail mix energy bites are no exception. But they’ve been packed with even more good for you ingredients that will help refuel your body from a tough workout, or while on a hike or bike ride.
Start the energy bites with old fashioned oatmeal and then add:
- Chia seeds {for a boost in fiber and protein}
- you can find chia seeds
online, in the health section of your grocery store, or sometimes in the bulk section at the grocery store
- you can find chia seeds
- Natural peanut butter {for protein, and delicious peanut butter flavor}
- make sure your peanut butter contains only peanuts and salt in the ingredient list. Most peanut butters add extra oil and sugar, which is not needed.
- Honey {for natural added sweetness}
- Raisins {for vitamin B, iron and potassium, which is also good for workout recovery}
- Peanuts {which contain “monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), especially oleic acid. MUFA helps lower LDL or “bad cholesterol” and increases HDL or “good cholesterol”“
- And CHOCOLATE! {use dark chocolate if you want to make these super healthy, but I really wanted some mini M&M’s to satisfy my chocolate craving}
online, in the health section of your grocery store, or sometimes in the bulk section at the grocery store
Stir all of this together, cover and place in the refrigerator to chill. This will help all of the ingredients stick together and make rolling into balls much easier.
Once chilled, spoon about 2 Tbsp., or a small cookie scoop
size of mixture into your hand. Roll into 38 balls and place in an airtight container. We like to keep our energy bites in the refrigerator.
If you make these tasty little trail mix energy bites make sure to take a picture and #ionlycameforthecake on Insta. I’d love to see your pictures!
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ½ cup honey
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter*
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or mini M&Ms
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup no salt added roasted peanuts
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In a large bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until the mixture is well coated in the peanut butter and honey.
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Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
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Roll into 38 bite size balls {mine are about two bites} and store in an airtight container.
*Note: when looking for natural peanut butter, check the ingredients list. It should only list peanuts and salt as the ingredients.
