Guess what, guess what!
No, it isn’t my birthday… No, Santa Claus didn’t fall down my chimney… No, the sky isn’t falling…
In exactly one week, baseball season starts!
This is my favorite time of the year. The sun shines a little longer, the air feels a little warmer, the grass grows a little taller, and the stadium gates open for the first time since October. Happy days!
Although my dad and I are just 8 stadiums away from completing our MLB ballpark tour (we started the list when I was 11 as a special father-daughter adventure!), my parents bought season tickets again this year, so nearly every other weekend, you’ll find me in my home-away-from home above the visitor’s dugout, in the dark green stadium seats even with the bag at third base.
Before every game, I stuff my oversized purse with the essentials: sunscreen, water bottles, hair ties, pencils, my scorebook, and snacks. Since Dad and I always arrive at the ballpark extremely early to watch batting practice, the entire outing lasts 6-8 hours, depending on whether the game heads into extra innings, so I pack as much food as I can carry!
Even though concession stands circle around the entire stadium on both levels, their healthier options are extremely limited. Dad doesn’t mind chowing down on a loaded sausage and peanuts, but me… I prefer fruit, veggies, and leaner protein. These Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites are one of the best homemade ballpark snacks for me!
And not just because they’re yellow-themed, like my home team’s colors. Each serving boasts over 17 grams of protein for less than 150 calories! How’d I do it?
Simple: my favorite vanilla protein powder from PlantFusion. It’s gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan, and clean-eating friendly—so these bites are all of those things too! I haven’t tested the recipe with other protein powders, so you may need to tweak the ingredients if you use another brand. Not all protein powders absorb equally. If the bites seem too wet, add extra protein powder. If they’re too dry, add a touch more water.
While the protein powder makes up the majority of the dry ingredients, there are also some oats to provide a little chew and heartier texture. Use gluten-free oats for gluten-free energy bites, if necessary. And don’t forget the poppy seeds in your dry ingredients either!
The bites are held together with equal amounts of freshly squeezed lemon juice and water. That’s almost too easy, isn’t it? No nuts or nut butters, no coconut oil—just lots of lemon juice. It provides some of the bright sunshiny flavor, but the lemon zest adds the most. Don’t skip it! The zest from one medium lemon goes into the mix, and if you prefer a really tangy taste, go ahead and add the zest from a second one too.
Now just 7 days and 6 cookbook recipes are left until I can enjoy these energy bites during long lazy afternoons at the ballpark!
And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! ?) I’d love to see your energy bites and feature them in my Sunday Spotlight series!
| Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites | | Print |
- 3 scoops (90g) PlantFusion vanilla protein powder
- ½ c (50g) old-fashioned oats (gluten-free, if necessary)
- 1 tbsp (9g) poppy seeds
- ½ tbsp (7g) Truvia
- 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest (about one medium)
- 6 tbsp (90mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about two medium)
- 6 tbsp (90mL) water
- In a large bowl, combined the protein powder, oats, poppy seeds, Truvia, and lemon zest. Add in the lemon juice and water, stirring until fully incorporated. Shape the mixture into 28 small spheres, and place into a Tupperware container. Seal and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Instant oats (gluten-free, if necessary) may be substituted for the old-fashioned oats. Instant oats are also called "quick-cooking" or "one-minute" oats. Do not substitute steel-cut oats.
Any granulated sweetener may be used instead of Truvia. If using liquid sweetener, add it along with the lemon juice and water instead, and you may need to decrease the water by a similar amount.
For a more prominent lemon taste, add the zest from the second lemon as well.
{gluten-free, vegan, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, low carb, high protein}
More energy bite recipes from other food bloggers…
♥ Peanut Butter Mocha Energy Bites by Recipe Runner
♥ Golden Raisin No Bake Energy Bites by Well Plated by Erin
♥ Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Energy Bites by Gimme Some Oven
♥ Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites by Happy Food, Healthy Life
I’m new to the clean eating concept. Love your recipe ideas but frustrated that each one uses a different type of protein powder. They come in large quantities and cost over $35 each. If I were to buy one protein powder to use across most of your recipes, which one would you recommend??
I really appreciate your interest in my recipes, Sue! I’ve actually answered this exact question on my Protein Powder FAQ Page, and there’s a link to that FAQ Page in the Notes section of this recipe (located directly underneath the Instructions!). I know it can be easy to miss! 😉
For my “no bake” protein powder recipes, I use the plant-based protein powders on my FAQ Page. The first one I mention comes in a smaller size that’s only $17, and the second one I use is currently on sale for 25% off! (I’m not sure how long the sale will last, but that’s what I’m seeing at this exact moment in time!)
For my “baked” recipes (ie protein muffins or cookies), I generally use whey-based ones.
Hopefully that helps, depending on which recipes of mine you’d like to try (no bake vs baked)! 🙂
If you try making these energy bites, I’d love to hear what you think of them! (And before I forget, this same protein powder will work in all of my other energy bite recipes that call for rice protein powder!)
Since I don’t use oats because of of glyphosates, could I use coarse chopped almonds or maybe coconut flakes (or both)? Exchange Stevia for Truvia?
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe, Susan! I haven’t tried substituting anything for the oats, so I’m not sure and don’t want to lead you astray. The oats do soak up moisture from the mixture, whereas almonds and coconut flakes do not, so I’m not sure they’d be the best substitutes. You’re welcome to substitute stevia for the Truvia if you prefer! 🙂
I’d love to hear what you think of these energy bites if you try making them!
I LOVE the flavor of these! I used a whey based powder from IdealFit the flavor Birthday Cake. I noticed it was a bit gooey and sticky so I added a little coconut flour and rolled them lightly I’m coconut flour. They turned out GREAT!
I also used the Truvia/Sugar cane mixture instead of normal Truvia. I think I would use a little less poppy seed, but that is personal opinion. I think next time I will go for 1/2 tablespoon. Delicious idea! Thanks for sharing!
-Megan
I’m so glad you enjoyed these energy bites, Megan! I mentioned in the Notes section and on my Protein Powder FAQ Page that whey-based protein powders don’t work because they make the mixture too wet to set (I know it can be easy to miss!), but I’m thrilled to hear you found a way around that! Thanks for sharing your coconut flour tip. So good to know! 🙂