I am always looking for new snack ideas! I have been making energy bites a lot lately. I have also been wanting chocolate mint EVERYTHING, so decided to channel that craving into a fun snack!

When I make these energy bites, I make a couple swaps to the ingredients to decrease the added sugar and increase the protein- making them a more balanced snack. I generally sub out unsweetened applesauce for most of the honey. The consistency of the applesauce helps bind the ingredients- which is one of the purposes of the honey. I also generally add protein powder. Protein powder is tricky and usually I am not a huge fan, but I do tend to use it in snacks like this and smoothies. I don’t have a favorite kind, but I do look for brands that don’t have a lot of added ingredients. And for instances like this, getting a powder that doesn’t have a sweetener or flavor is good too. This time, I used Trader Joe’s Pea Powder.

I morphed this recipe from a recipe I already make for chocolate coconut pistachio energy bites, so you can totally take the basics of this recipe and make it your own too!

Chocolate Mint Energy Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds

• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 1/3 cup oats ground to make 1/4 cup oat flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

• 3/4 cup almond butter

• 2 TBSP honey

• 6 TBSP unsweetened applesauce

• 1 tsp mint extract

• 1/4 cup protein powder

How to:

1. Grind oats in a food processor until they become a flour like consistency. Place in a large bowl.

2. In the food processor, pulse almonds to chop into small-ish chunks (you can also hand chop)

3. Mix everything in a large bowl. I usually mix with my hands, because without fail, every time I don’t believe it is going to mix fully. Just keep mixing, and everything will eventually stick together.

4. Make into bite sized balls. I try to make 24 per batch.

5. Store in fridge for a couple days or freezer if you’ll have them around longer.