Cacao + Almond Butter Oat Bites
The Secret’s Out: My Perfect Oat Bites
My secret is officially out — I’ve been keeping this recipe for Cacao and Almond Butter Oat Bites to myself for too long. You might find similar protein bites online (there are so many protein bites recipes), but after tweaking and testing dozens of versions, I’ve finally perfected these little energy-packed nuggets.
This recipe started when a client asked me for a grab-and-go snack that wasn’t loaded with processed sugar or preservatives. After consulting with a few chef friends and playing around in the kitchen, I landed on the perfect balance of flavor, consistency, and texture.
These bites are soft but chewy, rich but not too sweet — and made with just seven simple ingredients.
A Smarter Snack Choice
Sure, you can grab a protein bar from the store — but have you seen the sugar content in most of them? Yikes. These homemade oat bites are naturally sweetened only with honey, giving you that energy boost without the crash.
Perfect for busy mornings, post-workout snacks, or those “oops, I forgot to eat” days (we’ve all been there).
Only 7 Ingredients
That’s it! Simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Almond Butter
Vanilla Extract
Coconut Oil
Honey
Cacao
Sea Salt
Gluten-Free Oats (a mix of old-fashioned + quick oats for the best texture)
Recipes I love to double the recipe.
Pro Tip:
For extra richness, use toasted oats or add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before chilling. It gives the bites that perfect sweet-salty finish.
These Cacao & Almond Butter Oat Bites are the ultimate make-ahead snack — healthy, satisfying, and full of real ingredients you can feel good about.
Follow along on Instagram @whitesparrowfoodco for more wholesome recipes, kitchen inspo, and behind-the-scenes bites of daily food life.
Cacao + Almond Butter Oat Bites
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups coconut oil
- 3 cups almond butter (high quality + creamy)
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 heaping tablespoons cacao powder (unsweetened)
- 5 cups quick cooking gluten free oats
- 3-4 cups old fashion gluten free oats
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt together the coconut oil, almond butter, sea salt, honey, vanilla extract and cacao powder together over medium loow heat. Stir together with a rubber spatula until fully combined. Don’t let it sit or bubble up too much – it will burn on the bottom of the pan.
- In a very large bowl, add in the oats. Pour the coconut oil and almond butter mixture over the oats. Using a rubber spatula, mix everything together very well. Make sure to keep tossing the oats around until they are fully coated.
- Place the bowl in a refrigerator or cool place for 30 minutes, covered loosely with a kitchen towel. After 30 minutes, check to see if you can still stir is around with the spatula. If it is harder, you are getting close. Toss around from the bottom to the top as much as you can. Let chill for 20-30 more minutes.
- When you grab about 1-2 tablespoons of mixture in one hand and close your hand (like into a fist), and the mixture forms together – you are ready to make them. I like using a small ice cream or cookie scoop to help make them more uniform and similar sizes.
- Whatever method helps you, scoop about 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture in between your hands. While rolling them, press the mixture together to form a ball. Place on a cookie sheet tray. Repeat until all the mixture is rolled. Place in a ziploc bag or glass jar with a lid and put in your freezer. These are best kept frozen or in your refrigerator.
Notes
There is a fine line to when the perfect time is to roll the mixture into balls. You want it chilled enough so that the coconut oil has hardened and warms up slightly in your hands to form the balls. If it isn’t chilled enough, then it will stick to your hands and break apart easily. On the other hand, if it is chilled too much, it will be too hard to form into balls. This really is trial and error.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: varies
- Category: snacks
- Method: raw
- Cuisine: snack
Did you make this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @whitesparrowfoodco or #whitesparrowfoodco I’d love to hear what you thought of the recipe!
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