So what’s special about these and why are they allergen friendly?

Well, in almost every similar recipe I’ve seen for these they’re based on nuts or nut butters and in this case these are nut free. They’re also gluten free and vegan too.

Okay, so before you say “Hold up, why no nuts!?!?”, just know that I’m halfway thinking the same thing myself. And, no, I didn’t recently develop a nut allergy, and I certainly won’t be getting over my nut butter affair anytime soon. However, I do have some friends that I know have different intolerances and I just personally love switching it up and challenging the norm sometimes. Besides, by not adding nuts that just leaves more room for slipping in some healthy seeds and other good things.

So typically when I’d make something like this with two versions it’s because they start with the same base and are just very similar recipes. Well, with these that’s not the case. One of these recipes is for these maple tahini rice crispy balls and the other for my basic cookie-dough-like date and oat balls.

They’re both really simple, but that’s where there’s another difference between the two. While the rice crispy balls need only a bowl and a stirring utensil, the other one does need something to blend them in, such as a food processor.

I don’t know about you, but I go through phases where I like to eat larger meals all day and that feels great, but then I have other spurts of just wanting to snack allllllllll day long. Ya feel me?

No worries, I’ve got you covered friend because these are some of my favorite obsessions right now. Another thing about a recipe like this that always has me hesitating, is that there are so many possibilities and I can never decide what not to add.

Okay, okay, but let’s get to the recipe part so that you can make these too. I find them to be one of the best options when you’re running out the door and need a little pick-me-up or when you’re craving something sweet late in the day and want it to be something nutritious too.

Anyway, I hope you get to try both of these versions and I’d love to know what you think!

Raw Energy Snack Bites 2 Ways (Allergen Friendly)

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: about 16 balls (each recipe)

Ingredients

Date+Oat "Cookie Dough":

1 cup pitted dates + boiling water
2 cups rolled oats (be sure they are gluten free if necessary)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1/4 cup raw pepitas
1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (vegan)

Maple Tahini Rice Crispy Balls:

3 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons tahini
1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
1 1/4 cups quick oats (be sure they are gluten free if necessary)
2 tablespoons This antioxidant seed blend
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

Date+Oat "Cookie Dough":

Soak the dates in a glass cup or measuring jar with just enough boiling water to cover them.
Add the oats and protein powder to a food processor or blender and pulse until finely ground. Add the soaked dates (with the water) then add the remaining ingredients, except chocolate chips and pulse again until as smooth as you'd like. (I left mine a bit gritty for texture but if you'd rather, you should probably be able to get it completely pureed.) Pour in chocolate chips/or chunks and pulse just to combine.
Roll the mixture into small bite-size balls (about 2 teaspoons each). If you're mixture seems a bit sticky or too soft, place it in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes and it should be easier.

Maple Tahini Rice Crispy Balls:

Soak the dates in a glass cup or measuring jar with just enough boiling water to cover them.
Add the oats and protein powder to a food processor or blender and pulse until finely ground. Add the remaining ingredients, except rice crispies and pulse just to combine. Fold in the rice crispies.
Roll the mixture into small bite-size balls (about 2 teaspoons each). The mixture might be a bit harder to roll into balls so be sure to compress them tightly with your hands.

Notes

Store these separately in air tight containers to avoid the rice crispies getting soggy.

ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL! All of these food photos were taken with my Nikon D750 and my favorite Lens, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. You can find out more in my INTRO POST.

And, by the way, to all the minnows out there, my intro post did a huge $0.21. The key to success on Steemit is to be consistent and persistent. Click on the link below for some great tutorials on how you can also succeed on the steem blockchain:

Master Toolkit: Steemit Resource Guide Illustrated by @sndbox

Also, a huge shoutout to @rigaronib for designing my logo!

Hey, did you see my NEW YORK VIDEO?????

Oh, and did you catchall the other travel posts from my Canada and New York?

NEW YORK

1. Travelicious NY: Grand Central Station & Time Square
2. Travelicious NYC: 1ST OFFICIAL DLIVE MEET-UP!
3. Travelicious NYC: Visiting The Met
4. Travelicious NYC: Carriages, Disney, Broadway, & M&Ms
5. Travelicious NYC: Steem Friends & Italy in New York
   

   CANADA

6. Travelicious Canada - Victoria, BC: City Sights + Chinatown
7. Travelicious Canada - Victoria, BC: Whale Tales + Fisherman's Wharf
8. Travelicious Canada - Victoria, BC: Castles, Gardens, &.....X-men?
9. VIDEO! Travelicious Canada: Victoria, British Columbia
10. Travelicious Canada - Victoria, BC: Craigdarroch Castle
11. Travelicious Canada - BC Museum & Butchart Gardens

Do you want to learn more about me? Click here to see a recent @wadepaterson interview with me - 20 questions with @gringalicious