Halloween Energy Bites With Candy Eyeballs

By Joann MacDonald of Woman in Real Life

At first glance, healthy eating and Halloween don’t seem like an obvious match. Halloween is all about decadent goodies and packaged chocolate treats. But it doesn’t have to be. These easy vegan Energy Bites With Candy Eyeballs offer the best of both worlds, with healthy, nourishing ingredients that come together for a delicious snack with a distinctive Halloween flair.

For this quick and easy no-bake energy bites recipe, combine natural peanut butter, oats, almond flour, maple syrup, coffee and salt in a small bowl. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Press a candy eyeball into the center of each energy bite. Roll in coconut shreds and decorate with red decorating gel for a bloodshot eyeball effect. 

By making your own healthier Halloween snack, you get the benefit of using all-natural ingredients. Plus, each energy bite offers approximately five grams of plant-based protein. My teenage daughter loves these energy bites complete with candy eyeballs, while I eat them sans eyeballs. (For fully vegan treats, check the candy eyeball packaging to avoid gelatin or other animal-based ingredients.)

My daughter describes these healthy Halloween snacks as a “delectable dessert for peanut butter lovers”. The word “dessert” is a clue as to how delicious these energy bites are - heavy on the peanut butter, they work as anything from a breakfast boost to an afternoon snack to dessert.

To make a nut-free version of these healthy Halloween energy bites for those with allergies, try sunflower butter in place of peanut butter and oat flour in place of almond flour. 

These protein-filled bites are great for giving kids a boost of energy as they head out the door for a night of trick-or-treating. With the help of the candy eyeballs and decorating gel, they are also perfect for a Halloween-themed party or family gathering at home.

After Halloween is over, you’ll want to keep making these easy, tasty energy bites. Simply leave off the decorations, or try other variations - instead of coconut, dip them in melted chocolate or roll them in powdered confectioners’ sugar. Or add mini chocolate chips to the mix before rolling. Make the recipe your own!

Easy Vegan Energy Bites With Candy Eyeballs 

(14-16 bites)

Ingredients

• ¾ cup smooth, natural peanut butter

• ½ cup old fashioned oats

• ¼ cup almond flour

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• 2 tablespoons brewed coffee, cooled

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsweetened medium shredded coconut (for coating)

• Candy eyeballs, red decorating gel (for decorating)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter, oats, almond flour, maple syrup, coffee and salt until well combined.

2. Form mixture into 1-inch balls.

3. Press a candy eyeball into the center of each ball. (You’ll want to do this before rolling in coconut, so the candy eyeballs stick.)

4. Roll each ball in coconut shreds, pressing coconut in slightly with your fingers.

5. Squeeze on red decorating gel to create a bloodshot eyes effect.

6. Place balls on a parchment paper-lined tray or plate and freeze for an hour or more.

7. Transfer to a sealed storage container and keep frozen until ready to serve. 

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