With the race season feeling like it’s a long way off and structured training likely on the backburner, now is a great time of year to experiment with your fuel options and take a break from the typical bars and gels. In the second of three holiday on-the-go fuel recipes, we’ve got these gingerbread energy bites. As they’re no-bake they are quick and easy to make and they’re packed with energy-boosting ingredients—the perfect snack to grab when heading out for a long bike ride or trail run with all the healthy ingredients you want and need.
Gingerbread Energy Bites
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: makes 10 balls
Ingredients:
1 cup medjool dates
½ cup oats
½ cup toasted pecans
2 TBSP chia seeds
1 TSP ground ginger
1 TSP cinnamon
½ TSP nutmeg
Pinch of nutmeg
¼ TSP salt
1 TBSP molasses
1 TSP vanilla extract
1-2 TSP sprinkles (if desired)
Method:
1. Add the dates, toasted pecans and oats into a food processor or blender. Blend until it’s combined; it should be a crumbly texture.
2. Then add all the ingredients except the sprinkles until the mixture combines well and becomes sticky. If using the sprinkles, pulse a few times until they’re incorporated.
3. Use a spoon to scoop out the mixture evenly, then roll into 10 balls. Set on a tray and let it chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator to firm up. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Keep the gingerbread energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. You can also keep them in your freezer for three to four months.
- If you don’t like pecans, you can swap for cashew or almonds.
- If you would like protein powder in these energy bites, add 1 TBSP of protein powder to the mixture.
