Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chia Bites
If you spend any time on these vast internets searching for recipes (which you probably do since you’re reading this blog), you may have noticed the trend in bite-sized snacks. There are the sweeter types like cake balls/cake pops and cookie dough balls as well as healthier versions like raw energy balls. I’ve been wanting to create my own version for quite a while, and I finally got around to experimenting.
My version has the typical granola bar-type ingredients- oats, peanut butter, honey and chocolate chips- but also includes something a little different.
Have you heard of chia seeds?
I know you’ve at least heard of Chia Pets, so let’s start there. Yes, chia seeds are the same seeds that sprout like magic on those crazy old planters. But what you might not know is that they are the latest trendy ingredient in the health food world. The seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, full of fiber and contain a variety of essential minerals. They are comparable to flax or sesame seeds and are especially popular in the world of gluten-free baking (you can make a slurry of chia seeds and water that acts as an egg replacer).
The folks at Bob’s Red Mill just started carrying chia seeds and were kind enough to send me some to experiment with. I tried two variations of these energy bites- the recipe you see here and a second version using dates and coconut as the base (similar to a Larabar). The coconut version did not set up as well as I’d hoped and didn’t taste nearly as delicious as these bites do. I really love the way this recipe turned out.
I hope you’ll give these little bites a try. They have just the right amount of sweetness to be considered a treat and enough healthy ingredients to make you feel good about eating them. I would especially recommend them for pregnant, nursing or just plain busy mamas- they give you a great boost of energy and will satisfy your hunger on the craziest of days. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chia Bites
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Oven Love
Recipe type: Snack
Serves: 48
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats (gluten-free if necessary)
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Bob’s Red Mill Chia Seeds
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Let chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or more. Remove them from the fridge, use a small cookie scoop to create uniform portions and roll into balls. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Makes about 4 dozen bites.
And as a visiting taste tester, I would like to say they were very yummy
I am a facebook Fan. (Renee Grandinetti)
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I’m a fan! 🙂 megan_herst@yahoo.com
Will most definitely be trying these! Just got into chia seeds and need the energy. Thanks Natalie!
NEW FAN!! I’m loving your blog, lots of great ideas!
– Chelsea – mcgee.chels@gmail.com
We’re thinking alike these days. I’ve been making ‘energy bars’. Similar recipe but I include flax seed and sunflower seeds along with the chia seeds! So yummy!
I am a fan and looking forward to trying out chia seeds.
Beth
bkp25@drexel.edu
I’m a fan on facebook!
beastbunny at hotmail dot com
I love to make healthy little snacks like this, and I would love to win some chia seeds! I just liked your Facebook page 🙂
I’m a fbook fan, snowmansurfer@hotmail.com
Just became a fan on Facebook! I love chia seeds in my oatmeal…more volume with minimal calorie consequence! 🙂
email is lindz.greer@gmail.com
I’m already a fan. 🙂 anne_cta@hotmail.com
I don’t have chia seeds (yet…) 😉 Would flax seeds make a good substitute?
I’m a fan of Oven Love on Facebook and would love to try these out! (cgs001@comcast.net)
I’m a facebook fan and would like to try these… dahubler@ptd.net
im a new facebook fan!
thanks for the giveaway!
*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’m so glad Donna Jones told me about your blog. I search it first for new recipes! Love Oven Love!
Robincwheatley@gmail.com
I’m a fan on Facebook! Holly Piper-Smith pollyhyper@gmail.com
I actually have a question about chia seeds that maybe you have the answer to. The woman at my health food store was trying to sell me on their chia kombucha, and told me that the seeds have to be husked (as they were in their kombucha) for them to be beneficial, and that most products w/chia seeds are not husked. Maybe she was just trying to sell me their kombucha? Ever heard of this?
I am a serious Oven Love fan! Very excited to try this recipe. I love chia seeds in oarmeal and in smoothies. Thanks so much! istegemoeller@gmail.com
I’m a new fan! 🙂
w.d.grimes@gmail.com
Big time fan and big time foodie! I’m new to your blog and I am pleased to say I have found some real gems 🙂 Found my way here from “My Life as a Mrs” These bites look amazing and would be perfect for my busy schedule! Happy V-day!
Thanks! -Tabetha
Email: ageeksgirl@gmail.com
I made these with a few alterations and they turned out great!
1 cup old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened
1/2 cup raw chia seeds
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup raw honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
I mashed it all together with a fork, formed mixture into balls and chilled in the refrigerator.
I try to use all organic, raw ingredients to make them healthier. I use Y.S. Raw Honey, organic, unsweetened coconut, organic peanut butter and Nutiva organic, raw chia seeds. Sometimes I use other nut butters besides peanut butter because they are healthier than peanuts.
I just started experimenting with chia seeds. These bites were delicious! Instead of the honey, I used part agave nectar and part mashed banana. I’ll be making these bites again!
HI
Id like to say taht it is very difficult to read the red font against the red background. GREAT BLOG
Omfg, thanks very much for posting this! It is gonna be so helpful when I research Chia Seeds at the market! Stupendous!
Just made these. ..awesome