Snickerdoodle Energy Bites
This healthy snack tastes like buttery snickerdoodle cookies, which is perfect for Cookie Monsters like me! These easy no-bake energy bites are great for mornings, afternoons, or whenever you need a little pick-me-up. They’ll keep for at least four days, if not longer, if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 3 scoops (90g) Plant Fusion vanilla bean protein powder
- ½ cup (50g) instant oats (gluten-free, if necessary)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup (180mL) nonfat milk
- ½ tsp liquid stevia (or adjusted to taste)
- ½ tsp butter extract (see Notes!)
Instructions
- Add the protein powder, oats, and cinnamon to a medium bowl, and stir until thoroughly combined. Make a well in the center. Pour in the milk, stevia, and butter extract. Stir until completely incorporated.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Working with a small amount of the mixture at a time, shape into a ball, and place on the prepared baking sheet. (The mixture doesn’t roll very easily, so I recommend squishing it into a spherical shape instead!) Repeat with the remaining mixture. Transfer the energy bites to an airtight container, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
IMPORTANT PROTEIN POWDER NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: This recipe was specifically designed for PlantFusion vanilla bean protein powder. I buy it here. Many protein powders behave differently, especially when it comes to absorbing moisture. If you substitute a different plant-based protein powder, you may need to add more protein powder or oats if the dough is too wet -OR- more milk if the dough is too dry.
Do NOT substitute whey-based protein powder. The mixture will be too sticky to roll into balls and won't set properly.
For more tips, questions, and answers (including substitutions!), see my Protein Powder Recipes: Tips & FAQ Page.
OATS NOTES + ALTERNATIVE: I prefer instant oats (gluten-free, if necessary) because they’re smaller and thinner than old-fashioned rolled oats, which makes the mixture easier to shape and helps hold the mixture together slightly better. Instant oats are also called “quick cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They only include one ingredient — oats! — just like old-fashioned rolled oats. You can find instant oats right next to the traditional old-fashioned rolled oats at the grocery store. (They are not the ones in the small flavored packets of oatmeal!)
In a pinch, to make your own, add ½ cup (50g) of old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free, if necessary) to a blender or food processor, and pulse until they’re ⅛ to ¼ of their original size.
Do not substitute steel-cut oats. They don't soften properly.
CINNAMON TIP: I prefer Saigon cinnamon (I buy it online here!) because it tastes slightly stronger, richer, and sweeter than regular cinnamon. It's really affordable too!
MILK ALTERNATIVES: Any milk may be substituted for the nonfat milk.
STEVIA NOTES + ALTERNATIVES: Many stevia brands and products have different sweetness levels, so they’re not necessarily 1-for-1 substitutes for each other. For the best flavor and texture, use the same liquid stevia that I do. I buy it online here (← that’s the best price I’ve found!), and you’ll use it in all of these recipes of mine too. (It's one of my favorite ingredients!)
For sweeter energy bites, increase the liquid stevia by anywhere from ⅛ to ½ teaspoon, depending on how much sweeter you'd like them to taste.
If you strongly prefer to omit the stevia, substitute 3 tablespoons (45mL) of pure maple syrup, honey, or agave AND reduce the milk by 3 tablespoons (to a total of ½ cup + 1 tablespoon instead) to compensate for the added liquid volume. Alternatively, substitute 3 tablespoons (36g) coconut sugar or granulated sugar AND reduce the milk by 1 ½ tablespoons (to a total of ½ cup + 2 ½ tablespoons instead) to compensate for the added volume.
You can try substituting other sweeteners as well. You’ll need the equivalent of 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar (or more, if you prefer a sweeter taste). However, you may need to adjust the amount of protein powder or oats if the dough is too wet -OR- add more milk if the mixture is too dry.
BUTTER EXTRACT NOTE + ALTERNATIVE: I highly recommend using butter extract! It provides that classic buttery snickerdoodle taste. In a pinch, you can substitute vanilla extract, but keep in mind that the flavor will be different.
EGG-FREE, DAIRY-FREE + VEGAN OPTION: Substitute your preferred dairy-free milk for the nonfat milk. (I love unsweetened vanilla almond milk and unsweetened cashew milk!)
GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: Use certified gluten-free instant oats.
HOW TO STORE: Store these energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for at least 4 days, if not longer.
{gluten-free, clean eating, vegan option, dairy-free option, low fat, low calorie, sugar-free, high protein}
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?I'd love to hear what you think of it in a comment below! If you take a picture, tag @amys.healthy.baking on Instagram or use the hashtag #amyshealthybaking.