PB Coconut Oil Gooey Bites

PB Coconut Oil Gooey Bites

I was inspired to make these from a recipe on texanerin.com - No-bake Chocolate Chip Cookies, BUT, in typical Bakeandbefit fashion, I changed some things around, added a little this and a little that and Voila! Yummy (and addicting) PB energy bites!  

Check out my substitutes to fit your needs (or what you have in your kitchen). :)

These are GREAT for a pre or post-workout snack or a little after dinner dessert. Pace yourself, as the coconut oil and peanut butter do have a lot of fat (even if it's the "good" kind), fat is fat and we want to watch our intake.  

Happy "No-Baking" :)

INGREDIENTS:

3 Tbls. coconut oil

1/2 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)

1/4 cup honey (or agave or pure maple syrup)

3 Tbls. Chia seeds

Dash of cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup rolled oats

Chocolate chips for tops of cookie bites

Optional add-ins:

1/2 cup toasted shredded coconut

2 Tbls. ground flax seed

1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt coconut oil in small pot on low heat

2. Add peanut butter and honey and turn heat up slightly. Bring mixture to a light boil, stirring constantly

3. Stir in chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla for another minute

4. Remove from heat and add in oats (and any other add-in's).

5. Let mixture cool for a few minutes before scooping spoonfuls onto baking sheet.

6. Scoop tablespoon size balls on lightly greased (with coconut oil) baking sheet, then softly place a couple chocolate chips on each cookie bite.

7. Cover with foil and place baking sheet in fridge until cookies are completely cool (I left overnight, then stored them in a tupperware).

ENJOY!

Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip 

Cranberry Cookies

I knoooow it's the new year and we are all cleaning up our diets after the holidays, BUT there's just no way for me to completely cut out eating cookies. How about you? :) Of course, I will provide a healthy cookie recipe so that you can stay on track with your health goals this year! :D

I still wanted to feel seasonal with pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg flavors, so these cookies bring it all together. They also have a delicious combination of dark chocolate and cranberry mixed in......with a hint of peanut butter, too. You'll get your fiber from the oats, protein from the peanut butter and some healthy antioxidants from the dark chocolate. Enjoy for a little breakfast treat or snack or after dinner dessert...or I guess, anytime, you catch my drift. ;)

Happy Baking! 

Makes: 40 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats 
• 2 ¼ cups oat flour (oats blended in food processor)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 generous cup dark chocolate chips :)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (aka Craisins)
• 
  

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and spread a little coconut oil on baking sheet.

2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in large bowl.

3. Mix wet ingredients together in smaller bowl (except chocolate and cranberries).

4. Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients until fully blended (don't over mix).

5. Stir in chocolate chips and cranberries.

6. Scoop spoonfuls onto baking sheet, pressing down tops of cookies gently with a fork.

7. Bake for 15 minutes.

8. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Eat up and share :)