No Bake Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites
Raise your hand if you made a New Year’s Resolution? Ok, now keep them up if you are still going strong? I don’t usually make any, but we have made some goals to eat better this year. I quit soda Dec 20th and am happy to say I haven’t had a sip since! James is going to try to live a “Paleo” lifestyle and I am going to try to drink more water. The whole family is going to try to cut pre-packaged, processed foods.
We are starting small and using mini goals to help us meet our big goals. One mini goal is to get back in the habit of meal planning. The next step is to meal plan smarter- using shared ingredients to carry over between meals. After that I’d like to get to where I prep meals or make ahead one day a week.
These No Bake Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites are a great snack to make ahead of time and keep on hand. Bella usually comes home hungry from school everyday, and inevitably looks to snack during meals on the weekends. I’ve struggled during the holiday break to keep her filled up on “better for you” snacks. I combined two of her favorites snacks- dried cranberries and pistachios and turned them into these fun bite size balls instead of a traditional granola bar. The great things about these is they can be so easily customized to whatever dried fruit or nuts you have on hand. Throw in some white chocolate chips if you’re feeling fancy.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats dry, not cooked
- 1 cup shelled and chopped pistachios
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- Dash of cinnamon
- 1/3 cup honey
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Refrigerate overnight (or at least one hour) before using a large cookie scoop to shape into balls.
- You can also line a small baking pan with parchment paper, press the mixture evenly into the pan, and then cut into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
I tried this recipe but I can’t seem to get them to stick together to form a ball. Any tricks I can try?
Hi there! Can I use maple syrup instead of the honey? Or won’t it hold as well? Thanks! Cathy x
Hi Cathy, I’ve never tried that. It may work!
These look like a great quick breakfast for my husband who heads out early. Going to try with pecans too. Please check out my blog 🙂
These look yummy AND easy! My daughter and her teammates are going to love this quick snack between games! Thanks for the recipe:)
Oh my gosh, these look amazing. I just bought some pistachios too so I know what I will be making this weekend. I can use all the energy I can get.
Thanks for sharing it at the Pinworthy Projects Party this week. You were featured on Just Us Four for your fabulous work.
Rushed over from The Project Stash Link Party as soon as I saw them. Can’t wait to try them. Pinned! Thanks for sharing.
Ok, got a challenge for you. How to you make this Paleo or grain-free? This look delicious but I can’t eat grain/oats right now. 🙁 Ready go! Can’t wait to try them, they sound delicious and I will take the energy any time! Pinning!
These look amazing, and I can imagine they would great with different nut and dried fruit combinations. 🙂
P.S. – I would love it if you linked up at Do Tell Tuesday with the gals and me!
http://www.vintagezest.com/2014/01/do-tell-tuesday-6-features-and.html
Diane @ Vintage Zest
Thanks Diane! And thanks for the invite- I linked up! 🙂
Congrats! You are featured on Vintage Zest! Feel free to grab a button and link up to Do Tell Tuesday this week too. 🙂 http://www.vintagezest.com/2014/01/do-tell-tuesday-8-with-features-co-host.html
Diane @ Vintage Zest
These look so yummy and simple! Love snacks with just a few ingredients, easy and healthy to throw together for the kids (and mom). Pinned!
What a great recipe. They look delicious and so simple to make. I pinned them and I shared them on my facebook page Kimberlees Korner and with my facebook fitness group. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Kimberlee!
Dang! I just gave up my BJ’s membership because I found I wasn’t going there often enough to make it worth it. The one thing I bought there on EVERY trip was a BIG bag of dried cranberries. Now I want to run to BJ’s so I can make these lol.
Yum! I think I will try these with what I have in the pantry, which is pumpkin seeds and cranberries. Thanks!
These are so perfect! Love how easy and healthy they are. Trying these soon!
This looks like the perfect snack for my husband…. and for me, but my husband really likes these kind of snacks. We will definitely be trying them!
Honey is such a life saver in no bake bites! I’m so grateful it holds it all together and gives it sweetness. I haven’t had pistachios in so long … but I do have cranberries and I think they need some pistachio friends. 🙂 These truffles look incredible and would definitely satisfy any sweet snacky cravings. Thanks for sharing!
Good luck on your resolutions! Looks like you are off to a great start with these delightful bites!