Kids’ Kitchen: Nutella Energy Bites
Three years ago, Ella and I had a sweet little park picnic with a good friend and her daughter. I have no memory of what I brought to the picnic, but my friend brought two revolutionary picnic foods: a mason jar salad and no-bake energy bites.
When given the challenge this month of developing a cookie recipe that would be perfect for a picnic, I immediately thought of those delicious and satisfying cookie bites, and I set out to make my own – with a twist!
Of course, I had to add some Nutella to my version. I’ll go ahead and blame my quarter-Italian genetic make-up for that one, but really, Nutella needs no justification.
To appease the healthy eaters among us, I also used a no-sugar, natural peanut butter in this recipe to serve as a binding ingredient, so we’re just using enough Nutella to get that great chocolate-hazelnut flavour.
These Nutella Energy Bites are an easy no-bake cookie recipe for the kids to help with — simply stir the ingredients together with a wooden spoon, roll out balls of the “dough,” refrigerate, and serve.
I like to add a sprinkle of sea salt onto a few of these energy cookie bites, just like with my Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. (And my double chocolate chip cookies… and tofu chocolate chip cookies… Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure everything tastes better with a sprinkle of sea salt.)
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Kids’ Kitchen: Nutella Energy Bites
Kids Kitchen: Nutella Energy Bites - a no-bake cookie ball recipe that is surprisingly easy and healthy (minus the small amount of Nutella) An easy on-the-go snack, or kids' lunch box idea!
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick-cook or rolled oats
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup Nutella
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil, not melted
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 2 Tablespoons flax seeds (optional)
- 1 ounce dark chocolate (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl combine all ingredients except for the dark chocolate.
- Stir with wooden spoon until well combined.
- Roll tablespoon (bite-sized) balls of the mixture with your hands. (Kids love this step!)
- Refrigerate cookie balls for 10-20 minutes to set the mixture and firm up the texture.
- Optionally: Melt the chocolate square in microwave in 20-30 second increments, and drizzle on top of balls using a spoon. (If using sea salt, sprinkle it on now.) Let the chocolate set before packaging.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 79Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 120mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
The Creative Cookie Exchange
The theme this month is Pack for a Picnic Cookies–any kind of cookie that sounds great for a picnic! If you are a blogger and want to join in the fun, contact Laura at thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com and she will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links.
You can also just use us as a great resource for cookie recipes–be sure to check out our Pinterest Board and our monthly posts (you can find all of them at The Spiced Life). You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! Also, if you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made:
- Browned Butter Lemon Cookies with Macadamia Nuts from The Spiced Life
- Gingham Picnic Cookies from Food Lust People Love
- Demerara Shortbread Cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Naan Khatai – Indian Shortbread Cookies from Spiceroots
- Potato Chip Chocolate Chip Cookies from Our Good Life
- Key Lime Coolers from 2 Cookin’ Mamas
- Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Noshing With The Nolands
- Raisin Biscuits from A Shaggy Dough Story
- Soft Brown Sugar Cookies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Chocolate Chip Cookies from SimplyVeggies
- Gluten-Free Trail Mix Cookies from Rhubarb and Honey
- Cashew Butter Bites from Magnolia Days
- Blondies from A Baker’s House
Check out some of our other No Bake Recipes:
Oh yum! Now I have a reason to buy Nutella and not eat the entire thing with a spoon. Better to make these energy bites instead.
I could just pop one after another one of those!! Nicely done!
I will have to try these. I am in love with the powerballs at my local coffee shop. These look twice as amazing!
These are perfect for picnics or lunch boxes or a snack anytime! And I am all for the addition of Nutella!
What I love most about this (aside from the use of Nutella) is the fact that it takes little to no effort to make at all. There’s no baking or pre-heating ovents, it’s very simple, but very yummy as well. My kind of recipe. I’ve pinned and saved this to try soon. Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Jennifer. So glad I found your post on Tuesday Talk 🙂
Mmmm these look delicious, I bet my kids would gobble some of these right up!
I COMPLETELY agree about the salt! These bites look delicious–and I can see why they would be perfect for a picnic, especially one involving any walking or hiking!
I love the connection to a picnic, and no bake in the summer is perfect!
Yum! These sound delicious! Love that they are no bake!
Jill
Doused In Pink
I could coax my NUtella loving teen to try a healthier recipe with these energy bites. she can finish a whole jar of Nutella in one sitting.
These sound great except for the peanut butter…I wonder if they’d still work with almond butter?
You said the magic word – Nutella and I was hooked. These sound so delicious and the perfect afternoon treat! Love the suggestion to add some sea salt for that salty sweet flavor burst.
Yum! These look great and so easy to make. Being pregnant, I’m always looking for simple snacks that’ll fill me up. Thanks for sharing. Pinning.
Now, I know how to use my Nutella, rather eatiing spoonful everytime. Thanx for the recipe.
Yum trying this with the 2-yr. old grandson.
Wow. Perfect recipe for a hot summer day. I omitted the sea salt and used baby chocolate chip instead of the dark chocolate. It is really yummy and super easy. Great way to use oatmeal instead of flour.