Elizabeth Goldenberg at OneSpot Allergy http://blog.onespotallergy.com/ posted this No Bake Energy Bites recipe on her blog. http://blog.onespotallergy.com/2012/02/sunbutter-peanut-free-gluten-free-and-delicous/
No Bake Energy Bites (Nut-free version of Smashed Peas and Carrots recipe)
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup SunButter
1/3 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup ground flaxseed or hemp seeds
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Working with wet hands, press into balls. These are so delicious, consider doubling the recipe. Enjoy!
When I made them, Alexa complained they made her mouth itchy. I could not figure WHAT was causing this. I later realized the Bob's Red Mill Flaxseed I used had a "same facility as tree nuts" warning on it (dummy!!). I really wanted to make the kids some kind of granola bars. Since I had not yet tracked down any safe Flaxseed, I made another granola type bar from a recipe I found on Pinterest. (at least I think that's were I found it). It contained oats, Sunbutter, honey, oil, vanilla, and 1 cup total of whatever mix-ins you wanted. I chose coconut flakes, raisins, craisins, and chocolate chips. You have to melt the honey, Sunbutter and oil before adding your oats and mix-ins so when I added the chocolate chips, they melted and the bars came out like chocolate granola bars. The kids LOVED them! Yippee! I finally had a way to get some fiber and fruit into the boy who eats nothing healthy! So, anyhoo, I still wanted to try the no bake recipe from Elizabeth. Today (even though I'm STILL out of flaxseed) I tried this combo:
No Bake Energy Bites (Nut-free version of Smashed Peas and Carrots recipe)
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup SunButter
1/3 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup ground flaxseed or hemp seeds
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Working with wet hands, press into balls. These are so delicious, consider doubling the recipe. Enjoy!
When I made them, Alexa complained they made her mouth itchy. I could not figure WHAT was causing this. I later realized the Bob's Red Mill Flaxseed I used had a "same facility as tree nuts" warning on it (dummy!!). I really wanted to make the kids some kind of granola bars. Since I had not yet tracked down any safe Flaxseed, I made another granola type bar from a recipe I found on Pinterest. (at least I think that's were I found it). It contained oats, Sunbutter, honey, oil, vanilla, and 1 cup total of whatever mix-ins you wanted. I chose coconut flakes, raisins, craisins, and chocolate chips. You have to melt the honey, Sunbutter and oil before adding your oats and mix-ins so when I added the chocolate chips, they melted and the bars came out like chocolate granola bars. The kids LOVED them! Yippee! I finally had a way to get some fiber and fruit into the boy who eats nothing healthy! So, anyhoo, I still wanted to try the no bake recipe from Elizabeth. Today (even though I'm STILL out of flaxseed) I tried this combo:
1 Cup Oats (Quaker old fashion)
1/2 Cup Sunbutter spread (I used creamy)
1/3 Cup Honey (from the farmers market-YUM!)
1 Cup Coconut Flakes
1/2 Cup golden raisins
1/2 Cup No Nuts Dark Chocolate bits -not pictured (or use Enjoy Life Chocolate chips)
1 tsp vanilla
I mixed all the ingredients together using gloved hands to incorporate the Sunbutter and honey. The raisins didn't want to stay in the mix so I microwaved the mix for 15 seconds. I mixed again until it was all together and then spread it evenly into the bottom of a large plastic storage container lined with wax (or parchment) paper. (see photo) I chilled it for 1 hour and cut them into squares. YUM! They are a bit chewy from all the coconut but are delish for a quick bite.
The kids haven't tried them yet-I'll let you know the final verdict. I have GERB brand sunflower, pumpkin and flaxseeds from PeanutFreePlanet on the way- when they arrive I will experiment with all kinds of homemade granola bars and granola for the kids. Who says living Peanut/Nut free is boring?? Not me!!! Hope you try these out and enjoy them!!
Reference: http://blog.onespotallergy.com/2012/02/sunbutter-peanut-free-gluten-free-and-delicous/
Reference: http://blog.onespotallergy.com/2012/02/sunbutter-peanut-free-gluten-free-and-delicous/
