I know there are a thousand different versions of this recipe in existence so this is hardly unique. I'm sharing these Cherry Chia Energy Bites anyway though because they are one of my kids' favorite things to make.
While I am one hundred percent in favor of letting my kids in the kitchen and encouraging them to learn how to cook just about everything, some recipes require a lot more parental involvement. The kids and I love these energy bites because they can fly solo and whip up a batch of these without a bit of help (well, sometimes I have to open the nut butter jar, but that's it!). My 6 and 8 year old children love the feeling of independence and accomplishment that comes from creating something edible on their own. And I, of course, love getting to read a chapter of a good book while the baby naps and the kids work their kitchen magic.
It's not just the kids that enjoy these Cherry Chia Energy Bites though. I love having a container of these in the freezer to keep me fueled during the day. So often, when all of the kids are at school in the afternoon and it's just baby and me, I forget to eat. I'm working on making Simple Lunches for myself, but when I get busy, one or two of these energy bites goes a long way!
While I have to admit to sometimes snacking on these during the day, I don't really use them as snacks for the kids. Ever since I read the book French Kids Eat Everything, which I really enjoyed, I've done my best to eliminate snacking during an ordinary day. Her argument that kids will eat better meals if they don't fill up on snacks throughout the day really made sense to me and has rang true over the years that I've been practicing it.
When the kids do snack, they enjoy sweet mini peppers, apple slices, baby carrots, and black olives. These Cherry Chia Energy Bites, however, are considered more of a treat around here (which is why I don't mind throwing some dark chocolate into this recipe). The kids really love it when one of these shows up in their lunch box as "dessert."
Either way, snack or dessert, these are delicious, healthy, and really simple. And if you have kids in your kitchen, they are going to love getting to help with or even take over this recipe!
Cherry Chia Energy Bites
Ingredients
Instructions
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation says
I couldn't agree with you more, in our house we snack occasionally on healthy stuff with naughty but nice treats like these energy balls thrown into the mix :).
I must say - they look loooovveeeellly and it's great to hear the kids like getting stuck in too.
Thanks for sharing.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
And thank you Kimberly!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These would be so delicious in my lunch box!! Definitely trying these!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Yes - they are perfect lunchbox treats! Enjoy!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
These look like a delicious and healthy treat! I love all the ingredients.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Amy!
Kimberly | Chic & Sugar says
I need to get on the energy bite bandwagon. These would be perfect to have on hand for snacks throughout the day! Pinned for future reference!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Kimberly! Once you give it a try, there's no going back! Hope you like them!
Karla says
Very good! I used gluten-free oats, sunflower butter, cherry-infused cranberries, 1/4c mix of honey and maple syrup, a spoonful of coconut oil, and coconut extract since I didn't have vanilla. I warmed the mixture on the stove so it would all incorporate, then used my little cookie dough scoop to make mounds on a waxed-paper-lined cookie sheet. They're in the fridge now, but I tasted the mixture and it's really good! Could prob do with even less sweetener (maybe 2T).
Somber says
These were the most delicious energy bites I have ever had. They tasted like something you would buy! I used cacao nibs instead of chocolate and they added the PERFECT crunch.
Melinda says
Could you use quality cherries from a jar? If so, how much?