These Almond Joy Energy Bites are a little bit healthier way to have dessert while watching the calories you eat. Chewy homemade granola bars loaded with almond butter and coconut is the perfect treat when you want something sweet without the guilt.
Happy 2015!!! I hope you had a great time ending out the past year and starting the new year off. Every January everyone (me included) gets this huge desire to start the year off eating right and exercising more. I totally get it because I am right there with you.
The past month I slacked on my workouts and totally ate whatever was in front of me (I'm looking at you Hot Chocolate Fudge) and now I'm paying for it. Those jeans that used to feel good or even feel slightly loose have become snug again.
Those pushups and box jumps that used to feel easy were definitely not so easy this past week. My muscles were crying after just going to the gym 2 days,so I had to have some chocolate. Don't judge though. It was this Healthy Chocolate Lava Cake, so I was still good.
My goal is to really watch what I am eating this year. No, not just watch it go from my plate to my mouth, but really be more mindful of what I am feeding my body.
Now I still like to eat something sweet even when I'm working out. These little Almond Joy Energy Bites were the perfect little bar to give me my sweet in a healthier way. I melted together some almond butter and honey and then mixed in some oats, coconut, chocolate protein powder, and cocoa powder. Can I just say these were "Aaaammmmaaaazzziiinnnggg!!!" Yes, I totally just said that in a sing songy voice!!!
We are ready for everything that 2015 has for us starting with getting back on the workout wagon and watching what we eat. Bring on that chicken and veggies! I can do it knowing I have a healthy little snack waiting for me to indulge in. And by indulge I really mean just nibble on one a day. It's really all about moderation,right?
Other healthy treats you may like:
- Skinny Cherry Banana Smoothie
- Blueberry Banana Frozen Yogurt
- Skinny Chocolate Muffins
- Chia Seed Pudding Parfaits
- Skinny Mini Banana Bread
Almond Joy Energy Bites
These Almond Joy Energy Bites are a little bit healthier way to have dessert while watching the calories you eat. Chewy homemade granola bars loaded with almond butter and coconut is the perfect treat when you want something sweet without the guilt.
Ingredients
- ½ cup almond butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ⅔ cup unsweetened coconut, divided
- ⅓ cup chocolate protein powder
- ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder
Instructions
- Combine the almond butter and honey in a large pan over low heat. Stir until melted and creamy. Add the vanilla and stir again.
- Mix in the oats, ⅓ cup coconut, protein powder, and cocoa powder and mix until everything is mixed completely.
- Press into an 8x8 pan that has been lined with foil. Sprinkle with the remaining coconut and press into the top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
- Cut into 16 bars. Store in a sealed container on the counter.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 3gSugar: 13gProtein: 5g
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Tara
Did any of the commenters actually make these? I can only see one that did and she said they were crumbly. I second that. Are we missing something? They were so crumbly they are more like granola and I need to eat them with a spoon! And I even added extra Almond butter (upping the fat substantially) and they were still sooooo crumbly. Embarrassingly so. I can't imagine how these were bars for you with these ingredient ratios. I never even added the divided amount of coconut to the top as it seemed pointless. And I really pressed them down hard in the pan with a fork. Super Yummy recipe for Almond joy granola perhaps, but not bars.
Jocelyn
Hi, Tara. I actually just went to my kitchen and made another batch just to be sure. The recipe is fine as written. The mixture should actually look and feel like mud after you stir the dry ingredients into the melted peanut butter and honey. Mine was definitely not crumbly at all. Did you let it cool before pressing it into the pan? Are you sure you only used 3/4 cup oats?
Tara
Wow thanks for making them to check! I feel confident I didn't measure anything wrong (apart from only adding 1/3 cup coconut and not the rest to the top). Anyway, I'm enjoying reading them with with spoon! I did put them in the pan while still warm. Who knows!
Deana
Am I missing something? The instructions include cocoa powder, but it's not in the ingredients list. How much should I use?
Jocelyn
Oh, my goodness. Yes, the cocoa powder is missing from the ingredient list. Thank you so much for letting me know. The recipe has been fixed. I hope you enjoy the bars!
Amber Joy
Would Steel Oats work you think? These sound so good but all I have on hand is steel oats!
Jocelyn
Yes, I think those would work just fine too!! I hope you enjoy them!
Paulette
117 calorues per serving
Paulette
Thanks I will plug it into a counter. They are delicious but mine came out crumbly.
Paulette
Thanks for the recipe. Going to make them today. Any idea hiw many calories in a serving?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Paulette. I am not sure of the calorie count in this recipe as I do not usually calculate them. There are some different online counters that you can input the recipe into if you like.
Keri
Do you know what the nutritional content is for this recipe? Such as the fat and calories?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Keri. I haven't calculated that info. There are different online counters that you can copy and paste the ingredients into if you like.
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
I am TOTALLY impressed that you're able to do pushups and box jumps, let alone do them well! I feel like I'm about to collapse nearly every time I try pushups, and I've never had the courage to do box jumps... With how klutzy I am, I'd just jump straight into the box and fall on my rear end! 😉 But I'm loving these healthy bites! Pinned!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen
These look fabulous Jocelyn!! I need to watch my eating this year too! I ate WAY too many cookies this holiday season! Happy 2015!! 🙂
Emily
these look delicious and can't wait to try them. I like most of you have determined to eat healthier and lose weight. But I am new this type of eating. I have pinned several recipes and tried a few.. One was terrible but the others were great. I have a question if you don't mind helping a newbie.... Where do I purchase almond butter? Yours is the second recipe calling for it and I could not find it in my local grocery store. I would also love to know about the protein powders.... Are they all equal, is one better or healthier or are they filled with stuff that eliminates the "healthy"? Just a couple of questions. I enjoyed your blog and thought you might be able to give some simple practical advice.
Happy New Year and Thank You,
Emily
Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze
These energy bites look amazing! I want to grab one right now. I need to get back on that treadmill but I hate saying good bye to the sweets. We are food bloggers here and need to try everything right? 🙂 These look like the perfect happy medium. PS Happy New Year Jocelyn. Hope this year rocks for you! 🙂
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
I totally need to try these to curb my sweet tooth and not get off the game plan with the diet!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I know the feeling. The jeans I loved last winter now? Not so much. You and me are on the same page - eat healthier but still eat chocolate! Love these!!
Emily @ Life on Food
I am all for healthy treats that remind me of dessert. These bars look fantastic.
Marcie
And 2015 starts with an Almond Joy bang! I love this healthier take on Almond Joys, which happen to be a favorite of mine! Pinned.
Medha+@+Whisk+&+Shout
Yum! These delicious bites could not have come at a better time, I'm definitely trying to get back on the healthy track. Almond Joys are my favorite chocolate bar, and it's awesome to enjoy them in a healthier fashion 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
These energy bites look amazing! I am ready for healthier snacks too after the holidays and love that these are Almond Joy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am so ready for these healthier meals and snacks too! At least that's what I keep telling myself 🙂
Amanda
These look amazing! I love a sweet treat that's also healthy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girlie! I love finding ways to keep indulging in chocolate 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
These look simply amazing Jocelyn!
Lisa | Sweet 2 Eat Baking
I’ve been eating everything in front of me too, and there’s no stopping me - new year or not! 😆 But I do struggle for energy a lot with my illness and medications. What’s worse is I don’t like coffee so mornings are like hell here, I definitely need me some of these energy balls to start the day with.
I love how they don’t have any almond joys in them too, we don’t get them here. I’ll definitely be making these. Did you make the almond butter yourself? If not, you think it’ll work with homemade since we can’t get those here.
Jocelyn Brubaker
It's so hard to stop eating bad once you start. This week has been tough for me for sure. Definitely try these little chocolate bites of awesome. I bought the almond butter, but I'm sure a homemade version would work just as well. Keep me posted on what you do!
Chels+R.
Mmm! All those great flavors tucked into a cute little energy bite!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Yum! These bars sound fantastic, Jocelyn! Almond joy bars are on of my favorites. Pinned to try out!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much for the pin love 🙂
Vicki Bensinger
I'm going to have to make these tonight. I have all the ingredients on hand and have always been a HUGE Almond Joy fan. These sound positively delish!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Woo hoo! I hope you enjoyed them. I couldn't stop snacking on them 🙂
Nancy
I've been walking again but definitely need to eat healthier. These treats look like a good way to start eating better in the new year.
Beth @ bethcakes
I'm right there with you on the eating healthier thing! I really love the idea of these bars and they sound super easy. I'm always on the lookout for healthier snacks and bars like these!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Bring on the healthy eating for everyone!!! I am so glad this is something that everyone wants too! These granola bites were so easy! Definitely try them!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
Yum! I'm always on the lookout for healthier desserts!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert
I love these, Jocelyn! The addition of the protein powder gives that extra boost I so desperately need.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
I could snack on these every day for the rest of my life! Right up my alley with chocolate and coconut. Yum!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Believe me I ate way too many of these little bites of awesome! Now to learn moderation 😉 LOL!
Sarah
What a perfect snack! I love the chocolate/coconut combination!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie
Ok, definitely pinning this- I really need to be healthier this year, and not for only a month, which is the way many of my New Years Resolutions go 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm right there with you! Healthy eating here we come!!!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou
I definitely need some healthy dessert ideas this month!! these look delicious - I love almond and coconut!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl
I haven't slacked on workouts, so that's the only thing keeping me sane right now. Haha! But I definitely had major sugar rushes with all the holidays treats and desserts! I'm feeling it now, and paying for it! I'm cleaning up the diet for a bit, that's for sure. These energy bars look perfect!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Woo hoo! Good for you for keeping at it!!! I am paying for my slack offs now!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
I've slowly been getting back on the workout wagon for the past couple weeks. And I've even been eating healthier but then a mini vacation happened last week and I totally stuffed my face with all things carbs. AHH. These energy bars are the perfect addition to my healthy eating plan. I'm a huge fan of almond butter so these are perfect for me! Happy New Year, Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I very slowly got back on that wagon this week too...now to just stay motivated to keep going and eating right. Happy New Year girlie!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me
I love the addition of protein powder. A great recipe to enjoy mid day when my sweet tooth starts talking to me.
Beth
It's so hard when it's freezing outside to feel like exercising or driving to the gym, so maybe I can start by eating better 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh, I definitely know the feeling. I have to make myself get up every morning!!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
YES! I am obsessed with Almond Joy (we didn't have them when I was growing up in Canada) and I also love eating something sweet after my workouts. LOVING how you sneaked some protein in there! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
There is something so satisfying about eating a healthy sweet after a hard workout, right?
Nicole Brungs
I was wondering do you have to put the chocolate protein powder into the mix? If so is there another brand you recommend using; b/c I followed the link to the Advocare site and cannot find the chocolate protein powder?
Jocelyn
I am so sorry about the link not working. I went in and fixed it to go to the chocolate protein powder. We use and recommend the Advocare products, but you can use any chocolate protein powder if you like.