Cinnamon Oatmeal Energy Bites

When you need a quick, no-bake, gluten-free, oil-free, nut-free, vegan treat that tastes great, keeps well, and is ultra-portable— make these!! They taste like a cross between an oatmeal cookie and a cinnamon roll and require just 6 ingredients that are probably in your pantry now. For gifting, you can elevate them to “truffle-level” by dipping them into (or drizzling with) some dark chocolate or rolling them in cocoa powder.

One batch makes about 18-20 1”-round bites. The recipe is easily multiplied.

2 cups organic old-fashioned rolled oats

1 1/2 cups pitted medjool dates, chopped

1 1/2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1) In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the oats several times to grind them up a bit. (Do not process them too long or it will turn into flour.)

2) Add the remaining ingredients and blend everything together until it forms a firm, sticky dough. (If it seems too crumbly to stick together, add warm water a tablespoonful at a time and process again until it feels right.)

3) Use your hands to roll the mixture into 1” balls. (I like to scoop the dough out with a small ice cream/cookie scoop and then divide that in half to make two pieces of equal size.)

4) Store at room temperature for several days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. May also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Energy Bites