Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bites
Breakfast? Dessert? Snack? This recipe qualifies for all of them and more. You’ll love the classic peanut butter & chocolate combo and that they can be prepped ahead of time with minimal prep time!
I try to always have quick snacks on hand that I can take with me when I’m in a hurry. There’s nothing worse than running a little late in the morning and not having time to make breakfast or needing to have a snack handy when you’re running errands and don’t want to grocery shop hungry (we all know how that always ends up!). What if your kiddos just finished school and need something to hold them over until dinner but you don’t want them to reach for the empty potato chips? These protein bites are the best snack for all of those moments.
Snacking is what tends to sneak in and derail our nutrition aims. Most often when we’re hungry in between meals and left without a nutritious option within reach, we find whatever is quickest and most convenient, like a McDonald’s fry on the way home from work, the candy bar from the vending machine, or the bag of chips from the kitchen at work. Having a nutritious snack ready to go that you can bring with you that not only tastes good, but is also filled with protein to promote lean muscle and stabilize blood sugar, complex and simple carbs for immediate and sustained energy, and healthy fats to keep you fuller longer, promote brain and organ function, and promote low inflammation will keep you poised for feeling your best and fueling your body for optimal function. Want in on that kind of goodness? These protein bites are just up your alley!
Ingredients needed for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bites
Rolled Oats - rolled oats are the best for recipes as they absorb liquid better than quick oats or steel cut oats. To make this recipe gluten free, use certified gluten free rolled oats. I love One Degree Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats
Protein Powder - this isn’t a required ingredient, but you should always aim to have a protein source with every meal to prevent large spikes in blood sugar and to promote muscle growth and repair. I love Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein - French Vanilla (what I used in this recipe) or Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides - unflavored (to keep this recipe vegan/dairy free)
Honey - a natural sweetener is what’s going to keep these protein bites glued together in a moderately sweet goodness. I love to use local honey from my local farmers market, but you can also substitute maple syrup or agave nectar if you prefer a stronger maple flavor or to keep this recipe vegan friendly!
Peanut Butter - this healthy fat is what gives this recipe a high satiety factor and what will keep your hunger at bay until your next meal. There’s a lot of nut butters out there with hidden ingredients that aren’t so great for you. When choosing a peanut butter to use, make sure to read the nutrition label! The only ingredient(s) you should read are peanuts and salt (should you want a salted peanut butter). Watch out for added canola, vegetable, sunflower, and/or peanut oils, added sugar, and any ingredients you can’t pronounce. All of these are recipes for an inflammation response in the body! True nut butter should be just that - nuts!
Dark Chocolate Chips - who doesn’t love a little chocolate? Did you know that dark chocolate is actually a great source of fat? Just make sure to buy dark chocolate that isn’t laden with extra sugars. My favorite to use is Lily’s Dark Chocolate Baking Chips. They’re sweetened with stevia, a natural plant-based sweetener instead of sugar!
How Long Do Chocolate Chip Protein Bites Need to Sit Before I Can Eat Them?
These protein bites are a quick snack, but you can’t eat them straight from the container until you let them sit for about 30 minutes. Think about when you make a bowl of oatmeal: you pour your dry oats into a bowl and then pour your liquid on top. Even after pouring liquid on them, they’re still not ready to eat. You have to throw them in a microwave or put them in the fridge overnight to allow the oats to absorb the liquid and soften. Once this happens, you have a breakfast for champions! But you have to have the patience to get there first. It’s the same concept with these bites. Give them about 30 minutes and then enjoy!
How Long Do Chocolate Chip Protein Bites Stay Fresh?
You can store these in the fridge for up to a week. If you make a large batch, you can cover breakfast, snacks, and desserts for up to 7 days! If you’re a parent to kiddos or someone with a busy schedule, this is great news! You can also put these in a freezer bag and store in the freezer if you don’t plan on eating this week. Pull them out when you’re ready and keep them in the fridge for future snacking for the entire household!
More Recipes to Try:
Baked Protein Pumpkin Oatmeal
Collagen Latte
Baked Oats
If you try these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bites, make sure to leave a comment and rating to let me know how it turned out! I love to hear your feedback and it helps me create better recipes and is helpful to KenzieFitCo readers planning to try this recipe!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings : 20 bites
Calories: 130
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of rolled oats
1 1/2 scoops protein powder (I used Gold Standard Vanilla Creme)
1/4 cup honey
1 cup all natural peanut butter
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I love using Lily’s brand)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl until well mixed.
Scoop out mixture in 1/8 cup increments and form into balls.
Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to a week! These make great pre and post workout snacks, perfect kid finger food, an afternoon pick-me-up, or great dessert!
**allow oats to soften for 30 minutes after mixing before eating.
Nutrition:
Serving: 1 protein bite | Calories: 130 | Total Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat | 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat 0g | Carbohydrates 11g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Protein: 6g | Cholesterol: 3g | Sodium: 36g |