NO BAKE CRANBERRY COCONUT ENERGY BITES
I made these bites for my son's girlfriend who likes cranberries and coconut. She put them in the freezer then would take a couple out at a time to have for a snack on her drive to work. They are super quick to make and very YUM!
The recipe is by Demeter at “Beaming Baker” blog: No Bake Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free). Her recipe is posted as “gluten free” because she uses certified gluten-free oats. Oats do not naturally contain gluten but are often grown or processed with other grains that do have gluten. People who have Celiac disease, wheat allergies, or wheat/gluten sensitivity can purchase certified gluten-free oats but the majority of people who do not have those diagnoses can use regular oats without that certification.
Here is Dr. John McDougall’s newsletter addressing the issue of the “gluten-free diet craze”:
Gluten-free Diets Are Harmful for the General Population (Except for one percent)
NO BAKE CRANBERRY COCONUT ENERGY BITES
Ingredients
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped (Mine were reduced sugar)
1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup rolled oats (Use certified gluten free if needed. Mine weren’t.)
1 cup unsweetened coconut shreds or flakes (I used unsweetened shredded)
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
3/4 cup natural, unsalted almond butter (Raw, not roasted)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Blog Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients: cranberries, walnuts, oats, coconut and flax.
Add almond butter and maple syrup. Using a sturdy spatula, stir and fold together until well incorporated.
Scoop mixture into your hands (mine are 2 tablespoons each). Roll and press into bites. If the mixture is too dry, add in a bit more almond butter or maple syrup. If the mixture is too wet, add in a bit more coconut or oats. You want a slightly sticky dough texture.
What I did:
I processed the entire batch in a food processor. First added the cranberries and pulsed. Then added the walnuts, oats, and coconut and pulsed. Then added the ground flax, almond butter, and maple syrup and pulsed.
