No-Bake Energy Bites {Mejia Mamma's version}

I've been a member of Pinterest since June 2011 - and these scrumptious little balls/bites of goodness have been floating around many boards since they were originally blogged by Maggie from "Smashed Peas & Carrots" in Aug. 2011...I've been meaning to make them since.

Wow, I lag.

So the other day I finally did... WHY did I wait so dang long to try these?!! It's the easiest thing EVER! And what's better, is that they're completely customizable to your taste buds.

So here's my version...which probably cost me all of $3 to make...but most things I already had on hand.
 
{Let me preface by saying that I did not use exact measurements, except for the oats (plus a little more), honey & peanut butter... everything else was literally just 'eye-balled'.}

Her recipe calls for:

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla

I didn't use coconut flakes and substituted flaxseed for wheat germ. Instead of mini chocolate chips, I just used regular because that's what I had...but minis make more sense I think. 

Then I added handfulls/ish of:

• Chopped almonds/peanuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Raisins
• Dried Cranberries

honey, pb & vanilla in one bowl - all other dry ingredients in another... mix separately, then mix all together - your hands are the best tools!

You have to work with the consistency...it can't be too dry or too moist, otherwise they won't roll or stay in a 'rolled' form. After refrigerating for 30-45 min., they rolled perfectly and K tried one out....I'm happy to report she gave me a verbal stamp of approval... "yummmmmm mamma...I LIKE these!!" hahaha...so cute. You should get 18-20 balls, depending on the size...I got 19  ;-)   **NOTE - wet your hands just a bit while rolling...otherwise it starts to stick to your skin & won't roll right. 

Now let's see how long they'll last...I made them Thursday, so it's already been 3 days and there are only 5 left. I brought a few to share with my sisters after our crazy long 8.2 mile run yesterday - they were great and totally hit the spot!!

I've kept them in an airtight container in the fridge....I'm sure you could keep them out on the counter or cupboard, but I prefer them a bit chilled.

Next time I may omit the chopped peanuts & just do almonds...or ground up cereal like Multi-Grain Cherrios...I saw a lot of people had tried that...mmmm!