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Energy Boost Nuggets
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
0 mins
 

packed with whole ingredients for a light breakfast, a satisfying nibble in the middle of the day, for pre- or post- workout fuel, or for a sweet treat after dinner.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack, sweet
Keyword: almonds, coconut, cranberries, flax seed, oats, peanut butter, chocolate, candy, sweets, sesame seeds, tahini
Servings: 14 2 TBSP. scoop
Author: maura
Ingredients
Prepare for toasting
  • 1 cup rolled oats Note 1
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds Note 2
  • 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut * may omit, see Note 3
  • 1 TBSP sesame seeds Note 4
To melt in the microwave
  • 6 TBSP reduced fat peanut butter
  • 2 TBSP tahini
In the same bowl once peanut butter/tahini mixture is melted
  • 1 TBSP ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 pinch of salt optional
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom optional
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon optional
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  2. Put first 4 ingredients onto a parchment lined baking sheet

  3. Bake for ~ 10 min. keeping a close eye and stirring to redistribute mixture to avoid burning around the edges. Looking for a lightly browned and toasty result. Smells amazing.

  4. Meanwhile, melt the peanut butter and tahini in microwave in 20 sec intervals until just melted and stir to combine.

  5. Once melted, add final 5 ingredients and stir to combine.

  6. Using parchment to line the 8x4 loaf pan, press mixture to compress and to make an even layer. Cover with parchment and put in the freezer to set for ~ 30 min to 1 hr.

  7. Once set, take out of the freezer and cut into squares. I made 24 small squares but you can decide the size you want.

  8. Store in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.

Recipe Notes
  • Nutrition information based upon 14 single servings, each 2 TBSP scoop.
  • Have fun with this recipe and switch out ingredients to make an endless variety of combinations:

Some suggestions:

  1. oatmeal - take your favorite cereal and make a fine grind
  2. almonds - use cashews, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts
  3. coconut - you could omit this but then add an extra 1/3 cup of oatmeal and almonds (or the substitutions) to have a good proportion of dry to wet ingredients
  4. sesame seeds - may use flax seeds, chia seeds, poppy seeds
  5. peanut butter and tahini - here you can use any combination of nut butters of your choice to total 1/2 cup, or use all peanut butter (regular or low-fat) or all tahini, almond butter, cashew butter
  6. honey - try agave or maple syrup
  7. flaxseed - sesame seeds, chia seeds, poppy seeds
  8. cranberries - golden raisins, brown raisins, apricots, dates, prunes, figs, or any dried fruit 
  9. salt - optional but just a pinch makes all the other ingredients bloom
  10. cardamom and cinnamon - these are optional but add a really nice subtle 'sweetness' to the mouthfeel.  other spices to try:  pumpkin spice, ginger, nutmeg, clove, star anise, or even cayenne in any combination for ~ 1-1/4 tsp total.  or go crazy and experiment with more for a more spicy nugget