Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites

 A few of my kids like these energy bites, especially my peanut butter loving kiddo. They can be packed in lunches or enjoyed as a snack. With only 4 ingredients that makes them pretty easy to make. The recipe is from Healthy Liv.

3/4 C peanut butter

1 3/4 C oats, old-fashioned or quick-cooking

1/3 C honey (or slightly more if needed to bind together)

1/3 C chocolate chips

Optional: 1/4 C wheat bran, hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds (my kids prefer 1/8 C flax seeds. You can also do a mixture up to 1/4 C)

1. If using refrigerated peanut butter, add peanut butter to a medium microwave-safe mixing bowl and microwave for 20-30 seconds, until peanut butter is less solid. Let the peanut butter cool so it won't melt the chocolate.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixing bowl and stir fro 2-3 minutes until fully combined.  At this point, if the dough if very sticky, you can refrigerate it for an our or pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes to slightly firm up. 

3. Line baking dish or cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper. Using a cookie scoop, spoon or your hands, form the dough into balls (about a 1 T sized) and place in a single layer on the prepped dish. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes because transferring to a storage bag. They should hold their shape.  

4. To store, place energy bites in a ziploc bag or storage container.  Refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.