Written by Lauren Curl-Ferrell on September 20, 2021.
Apples and fall go hand in hand together
I grew up on an apple orchard and every fall you could feel the energy change in the trees. The apples would get a bit tastier. They'd grow a bit larger, and their colors would really shine.
As the leaves changed, and the cold blew in, the apples would fall to the ground and create a magnificently flavorful scenery.
The fall season would bring to our kitchen table a series of apple flavored creations. Apple pies, apple ciders, apple crisps, and butters, oh my. So many tasty recipes can be created with apples and we went to town making as many as we could.
In my opinion, there was nothing better than a crisp fall day and a slice of apple pie.
Now every time fall comes, I seek out delicious apples and find myself in the kitchen crafting up my own renditions of the fall recipes my family made me when I was a kid.
It's 2021, we don't all have time to make pie
I am a very modern mom and partner. Between the kid's tennis practices, my work out journey, working as a social media manager and content creator, and wanting to squeeze in some entertainment, I hardly have time to make apple pie.
But what I do have time for - are these quick Apple Pie Energy Bites.
I have found that they give me the simple pleasures of that apple pie taste, fill me up with protein and energy, and are great snack to give my kids in their lunch boxes. My family scarfs these up.
Once these energy balls are made and ready to be eaten, they don't stay in my fridge for longer than a day before they're eaten. This recipe is a family favorite.
So, if you're like me and you don't always have time to make pie - this is a win for the entire family.
The jist of it
This recipe takes about 5 minutes to make.
It's made with simple ingredients that can be found at the grocery store or online.
This recipe also makes around 12 protein balls. When I make it, I double the recipe so we have some to eat as snacks throughout the week.
It contains rolled oats and quick oats, honey, nut butter, maple syrup for sweetness, an amazing protein powder that has digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics built right into it, some homemade apple sauce (store bought will do just fine though), and cinnamon.
How To Make These Apple Pie Energy Bites
This is the step by step of how to prepare these easy to make Apple Pie Energy Bites.
1. First, grab a large mixing bowl. Then add your dry ingredients into it.
It's easier to mix your dry ingredients separate from your wet ingredients, but honestly - live your best life. They don't have to be mixed separately at first.
The dry ingredients are:
- Rolled oats
- Quick oats
- Cinnamon
- Earthy Andy x NB Pure Plant Powered Protein
Give those a quick mix with a spoon or if you're fancy, a whisk.
2. Add your wet ingredients to the same mixing bowl.
The wet ingredients are:
- Creamy nut butter
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Apple sauce
3. Mix Well
Use a spoon to fix or you can just your hands. Just make sure they have water on them or the mix may be sticky enough to stick to your hands slightly.
4. Refrigerate the mix for 30 minutes
You don't have to refrigerate. The chillness of the mixed ball dough helps to make it into mini balls. If you'd like to skip the refrigeration, just make sure your hands are wet before rolling the balls to avoid the dough mix sticking to you.
5. Roll into balls.
This recipe will roll approximately 12 Apple Pie Energy Balls
Storage Time
You can store these Apple Pie Energy Bites in a refrigerator for up to 14 days in an airtight container.
You can also freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Enjoy Your Protein and Energy Balls!
Full Recipe Breakdown
Prep time: 5 mins
Optional Refrigeration Time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of natural creamy nut butter (slightly heated)
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3 scoops of Earthy Andy x NB Pure: Plant Powered Protein
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 2 cups of quick oats (use gluten free if needed)
- 3/4 cup of rolled oats (use gluten free if needed)
Optional add ins:
- For extra fiber, add in 3 tablespoons of NB Pure Daily Multi Fiber
- Chopped pecans for extra crunch.
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the heated nut butter and honey until nice and smooth.
2. Add in your remaining ingredients and hand mix together until combined. Wet your hands first so that you do not get the mix stuck to you. You'll add in your optional ingredients here if you desire.
3. Slightly wet your hands a bit more and then start rolling the dough. If the dough doesn't stick together, add in 1/2 tablespoon of water or melted coconut oil at a time until it comes tighter. If you'd like to make it easier, feel free to refrigerate for about 30 minutes prior to rolling the balls as well.
4. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator or freezer until you're ready to enjoy.
