Oatmeal cookie dough power ball bites
Author: Energize Nutrition
Recipe type: Snack, Lunch
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup dried dates, soaked in boiled water, then drained
- 1 cup sunflower butter
- ½ cup sunflower seeds, toasted
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp honey
- Pulse rolled oats in a food processor. Then place in a large bowl. For a chewier texture, leave rolls oat "whole".
- Add remaining ingredients to the large bowl, and mix together, using a spoon and your hands.
- Take a scoop of “batter” and shape into balls of desired size.
I created this recipe to be nut-friendly and therefore, lunchbox friendly. This recipe is adapted from the Whitewater Cooks At Home cookbook by Shelley Adams.
In exchange for nut butter, I used sunflower butter, a peanut and nut-free butter. Its flavour is mild and acceptable to my kids, and is a fantastic substitute for peanut butter.
Nutritionally, sunflower butter is mostly similar to peanut butter, having a slight advantage in the fiber and iron it provides per serving.
I had to go to my local healthfood store to find sunflower butter. However, it was worth the trip to be able to find this nut-free alternative. Do I see SB&J sandwiches in my lunchbox future?
I also added in dried dates to add in natural sweetness as well as natural "glue" to help this recipe stick together. I also chose to add in ground flax seed for the additional healthy fat (omega-3 fatty acids).
Enjoy with a glass of milk or a hot drink.
I had 4 hockey players try these power balls. Feedback was positive, including "these taste like Clif Bars". Enjoy!
3.5.3226