Dr. Keila's No-Bake Vegan Coconut Energy Bites

No-bake energy bites are the perfect healthy snack: easy to make, customize-able based on your pantry ingredients, and they store incredibly well in the freezer. Use this recipe as a guide but feel free to make substitutions based on your tastes. You can easily double – or quadruple this recipe, and kids can help. Perfect for last minute potlucks, people with food sensitivities and to throw together when you’re short on time and energy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes                                           
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: nada                         
 
Yield: 20-25 balls
             
Ingredients:

• 1 cup (dry) oatmeal
• 2/3  cup toasted or regular coconut flakes (unsweetened)
• ½ cup nut butter (peanut butter, Nut & Seed butter etc.)
• ½ cup ground flax seeds
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. If the mixture seems a little dry, add more nut butter or honey. If too gloopy, add more seeds or dry ingredients.
2. Cover and place bowl in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (this makes rolling easier!).
3. Roll into small balls, any size, and store in air tight container in the refrigerator (up to 1 week) or in the freezer (they won’t last that long before you eat them all).

Other ideas:

• Substitute chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or slivered almonds
• Use almond extract OR peppermint extract in place of vanilla and add cocoa for a chocolate bite
• Protein powder can easily be added into the mixture for a post-workout snack
• Change up your nut or seed butter
• Change up your sweetener – maple syrup works nicely
• Omit oats and use ground flax/chia/almonds if grain-free or following a Paleo diet