When I was working a particularly stressful job a few years ago I developed a pretty lousy habit. Actually, I developed quite a few lousy habits during that time. But this one was tough to break, even after I quit.
Every afternoon around 3-4 p.m., I’d run out to the coffee shop down the block and order a large latte and a chocolate chip cookie. My justifications were: A. I should get outside today (as if simply taking a walk outside was not enough, there had to be a destination). B. I will be working at least a few more hours, so I could use – no I NEED – the caffeine. C. I’ve been working hard, I deserve a treat.
What I actually needed was some quick energy and a snack to look forward to. My coffee/cookie combo got the job done, but about an hour later I would crash thanks to the sugar spike, and then I felt like crap the rest of the day. Oh, and I gained about 10 pounds over the course of six months.
When I switched jobs (and moved far, far away from that coffee shop), I decided to start making my own snacks. Not only did it help in terms of feeling better, but I also saved some money. Artisanal lattes at $4 a pop (ahem, two of them a day) aren’t exactly budget-friendly.
So I tried a bunch of recipes and a few of them – namely, the quick ones – stuck. I make these energy bites one about once a week and pop ’em in the fridge so I have access to a good snack any time. They can also double as a healthy dessert or even a fast breakfast.
We’ve heard from a bunch of you that you’re in need of some quick and easy recipes for the work week, so I hope this helps in the snack department. They’re so simple, and a lot healthier than grabbing a latte or shoving down a 3 pm cookie. Trust me.
No-Bake Chocolate Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dry oats
- 1/ cup water
- 2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup ground flax seed
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Optional: 2 tablespoons matcha powder (if you have some, this is a great addition for energy)
Method
Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined. Place in the fridge covered for 30 minutes, which makes the dough easier to work with. Then remove and roll the dough into small balls – about 1 inch in diameter. This should make about 20 and you can keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
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Also published on Medium.