a gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free version of my energy boost nuggets that is just the right size to get some essential nutrients and protein for pre/post workouts or to satifsy your afternoon sweet tooth, plus you won't get that post sugar-rush crash!
- 1 cup organic rolled oats
- 1/3 cup coconut, shredded (sweetened or unsweetended)
- 7 TBSP sunbutter, any variety (maybe more if mixture is dry)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave
- 1/3 cup pumpkin and sunflower seed mixture
- 1/4 cup cranberries, chopped
- 1 TBSP sesame seeds, black
- 1 TBSP flax seeds
- 1 TBSP chia seeds
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup 70% cacao bittersweet chocolate bar, chopped into small pieces to mix in
- 70% cacao bittersweet chocolate bar, chopped into small pieces to melt for topping
-
Preheat oven to 350 deg. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Spread oats and coconut onto baking sheet and bake for ~ 10 min. stirring once after 5 min. Looking for a light golden brown color and a nutty amazing aroma!
-
In a bowl, add sunbutter and microwave for ~ 20 sec to get a thinner consistency.
-
Add the remaining ingredients including the oats/coconut mixture and stir to coat everything with the sunbutter. If mixture is dry, add 1-2 tsp. at a time until mixture will form a ball without falling apart.
-
Use a 2" scoop to form a ball and place on parchment lined baking sheet (the same one used for toasting the oats/coconut).
-
Place in the freezer for ~ 30 min. to firm everything up.
-
Place in airtight container and keep in the refrigerator.
-
Will keep for a couple of weeks but they will be gone in under a week, guaranteed!!
-
Small batches like this are best so when you make the next batch, you can use your creativity to come up with different combinations!
Substitutions:
- oatmeal - take your favorite cereal and make a fine grind
- coconut - you could omit this but then add an extra 1/3 cup of oatmeal and seeds to have a good proportion of dry to wet ingredients
- sunbutter - use any combination of nut/seed/coconut butters of your choice
- cranberries - golden raisins, brown raisins, apricots, dates, prunes, figs, or any dried fruit
- salt - optional but just a pinch makes all the other ingredients bloom
- 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
- cacao - also optional but switch out for any variety; if not vegan a white chocolate would be delish with macadamia or pistachio if using nuts is OK for you.