Looking for a wholesome nut-free snack that you and your kids will love? Made with just seven ingredients, these nut-free energy bites are beloved by my whole family!
When my daughter started Pre-K in January, having nut-free snacks on hand that hold up well in a backpack for hours took me a bit of getting used to. As plant-based eaters, I realized that we use nuts and nut butters often. We love everything from PB & J sammies and salty pistachios, to the homemade granola bars and muffins that I often whip up.
Another type of snack that I make regularly are energy bites, but typically I include peanut butter in the mix. Since my daughter’s school only allows nut-free snacks, I started testing out new energy bite combos. And that, my friends, is how I wound up creating this gem of a recipe.
Requiring just seven ingredients the you probably already have in your pantry, these nut-free energy bites rely on sunflower seed butter, along with honey (or maple syrup to make them vegan), as the glue that holds these delicious snack bites together.
Sunflower butter is made from sunflower kernels, which are peanut and tree nut free, making them a great ingredient for school snacks and lunches. It’s creamy and rich, and has a similar nutritional profile to nut butters like peanut or cashew. My favorite brands are Sunbutter or Trader Joe’s Sunflower Seed Spread.
The other star ingredients of these nut-free energy bites are old fashioned oats, hemp seeds and ground flaxseed – all of which are nutritional powerhouses that help form nut-free energy bites that’ll keep you and your little ones fueled right.
What I really like about packing these nut-free energy bites in my daughter’s backpack is that they’re wholesome and made with simple ingredients. And she absolutely loves them!
The recipe makes about 16 energy bites. But if your household is anything like mine, these babies will disappear quick, so feel free to double it!
Nut-Free Sunflower Oat Energy Bites
Equipment
- 1 Food processor
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups dry old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup sunflower butter
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version)
- 2 TBSP mini chocolate chips
- 1 TSP vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the oats, sunflower butter, hemp seeds, flaxseed, honey, and vanilla into the food processor. Pulse until it starts to form a sticky mixture.
- Stir the mixture up and add in the mini chocolate chips. Turn the food processor back on until the mixture is well incorporated and easily sticks together.
- Transfer the mixture to a plate or cutting board, and use your hands to roll it into balls, making about 16 energy bites.
- Enjoy! Store the bites in an airtight container.
These turned out delicious! Such a good snack!
So happy to hear that you made these energy bites and enjoyed them!
What a great school snack idea – and so easy to make a large batch, too! I remember when Robbie started pre-K and we had to pack snacks…it was a whole assembly line each morning. This would shorten that process for sure!
It for sure makes for an easy pack-and-go school snack!