C is for chia and coconut!
This year I'm participating in a bi-weekly challenge with some blogging friends to post recipes using all of the letters in the alphabet. It can feature a food that begins with the letter of the week or the recipe name can contain the week's letter.
Do you remember those ads for the planters that were shaped like heads and sprouted green "hair"? Ch-ch-ch-chia! I had no idea until 5 years ago that chia was actually an edible thing and not just a novelty gift.
I mostly use it in overnight oats but I've been looking for a more portable snack and found these Chia Seed Protein Bites on the Taste of Home website. I did make some changes based on what I had on hand.
The recipe calls for oats, creamy peanut butter, chia, honey, protein powder and shredded coconut. I used maple syrup instead of the honey. You combine all of the ingredients together and then pop it in the fridge for an hour or until you can easily shape it into balls.
I used a cookie scoop to portion the dough and then I rolled them between my hands. I got about 24 this way, you can definitely make them one bite treats by using a smaller cookie scoop.
You can then roll the bites in more of the shredded coconut or you can add a couple more Cs and make them chocolate covered! You want to store these in the refrigerator. I packaged them up in small zip top bags, 2 per bag so they are easy to grab and go!
Simple to make and they're a nice treat mid-morning or late afternoon. The predominant flavor using the vanilla protein powder is the peanut butter, can't wait to give it a try with some chocolate protein powder.
Thank you again to Wendy for hosting the 2025 Alphabet Challenge and to the other bloggers for sharing their recipes this year! Check them out using the links down below! You can see all of the recipes I've made for the challenge here- Alphabet Challenge 2025.
Chia Seed Coconut Protein Bites
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Yield: 30
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- Additional unsweetened shredded coconut or 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (melted), optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
- Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. Roll in additional coconut or coat with melted dark chocolate if desired. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Slightly adapted from: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chia-seed-protein-bites
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Jolene, love this recipe. Have all the ingredients in the pantry, will definitely be making it soon. I may add a bit of dark chocolate chips to the mixture.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome idea!
DeleteYUM!!! These lovely...and easy to trash up with all sorts of extras...like chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, pumpkin seeds...etc. Can't wait to experiment!!!
ReplyDeleteLove chia seeds, I have a whole bag of white chia. I think the first time I saw them as food and not chia pet fodder was agua fresca and some chia jams maybe a 15 years ago when we were on elimination for allergies for kiddos. These bites look delicious!
ReplyDeleteBeen there with the food allergy thing. Luckily my kid outgrew everything except tree nut, which my husband also has.
DeleteA perfect hiking snack.
ReplyDeleteChia pets! I forgot all about them and never put 2 and 2 together! I do need to try these. So perfect for snacking!
ReplyDeleteThese look perfect to put in to a hiking backpack.
ReplyDeleteDang, I just passed up a bag of chia seeds at my nearby Kroger that was in the discount bin. These look like little nuggets of tasty health food!
ReplyDeleteI have all the ingredients for these energy bites and these healthy snack bites are perfect for the 4o' clock craving!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm off to buy some chia seeds to make these and look for your oats recipe too.
ReplyDelete