These snacks look unappealing. I might not make this for anything the teensiest bit elegant, i.e. baby shower, bridal shower, or brunch. The only way you could bring this to a potluck is if you know the people very well and they’re generally healthy people. What can you make these for? Your hungry husband, your growing children, your after-dinner-healthy-snack, your bestie who just had a baby, or your pre-workout mini breakfast. For those things, this actually couldn’t be more perfect. My cousin Kim sent me a link to a blog’s similar recipe. I made them as written and found myself adding things to make it more my style – a bit of balance with the salt, some flavor boosting with vanilla, etc. I resolved to make a similar recipe without even a glance at anyone else’s work; I wanted it to be authentic to what I usually cook with. I loved the way these turned out – a much better texture than my first go-around.
These taste like chocolate and peanut butter, of course, and if you’re a protein phobe I can tell you that the “protein” flavor doesn’t come through. I use Orgain Organic Protein powder (I buy it at Costco), chocolate fudge flavor. The peanut butter I used was store-brand; I keep this on hand for baking and use the organic for the kids. Otherwise the ingredients are simple.
I am wholly on the “no bake cookie” train. These are sweet and chewy and certainly taste like a treat, but because they’re not baked they’re a) quicker, b) easier to make sans gluten and c) easier to clean up. Yes, they’re unattractive, but when we’re late for soccer and can’t find the shinguard socks it’s the best feeling ever to throw these at the kids in their carseats, knowing that they will get the  protein, carbs and fats they need. This makes a big batch; I froze half and will take out when the ones in the fridge are through. Oh, and for all you “non-bakers”, I know you can press “on”.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites
Makes about 50
2 c. oats
2 c. dates
1 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1/2 c. chocolate protein powder
1/4 c. ground flax seed
1/2 c. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1. Place oats and dates in food processor. Pulse until finely ground.
2. Add peanut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, flax, honey, vanilla and salt. Process until smoothly combined.
3. Roll into 1 in. balls. Place in air tight container and refrigerate or freeze.
*I tagged this as dairy free – if you can’t have dairy, you’d have to make sure your protein powder is vegan (mine is, which is why I tagged it this way).
