Avo-Nana Oatmeal Snack Bites Recipe

When my kids come home from school they are always anxious for a snack. Inevitably when I give a list of options my youngest will say, “Is there anything else?” She is currently my picky eater and is very opinionated about how she wants her food. I was making some snack bites recently when she wandered into the kitchen to see what I was up to. She peered curiously into the bowl of dough that I was rolling into balls and said, “Ooooh, that looks good! Can I taste it?” I gave her a small taste of the dough and her eyes lit up. “I like that! Can I have some more?” When the bites were ready to eat she was the first in line to be a taste tester. My older daughter followed, giving them two thumbs up.

I put half of the bites in an airtight container to store in the freezer and put the other half in the refrigerator. Over the following couple of days my daughters would ask for the bites as their afternoon snack. Being able to add another item to my youngest daughter’s list of approved snack foods? Win. Having a snack option that is easy to make and can be made ahead of time? Double win!

The secret ingredient in these snack bites is California Avocado. The California Avocado adds good fats and a creamier texture to the bites. You don’t have to worry about the avocado turning brown because the rest of the ingredients are a light brown (like cookie dough!), so any browning will just blend in with the other ingredients, but won’t affect the flavor. California Avocado combined with banana, rolled oats, almond butter, maple syrup, flaxseed and spices make a sweet treat that is filling and healthier than many packaged treats.

The dough for the bites can be whipped up in a matter of minutes and then saved for later if you don’t have time to immediately roll it into balls. You can whip up a batch and then have them waiting in the refrigerator for snack time. You can also freeze them and pull a few out at a time to defrost in the refrigerator.

Avo-Nana Oatmeal Snack Bites Recipe

Serves: 26 bites
Prep time: 5–10 minutes
Total time: 5–10 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 medium ripe banana
1/2 ripe, Fresh California Avocado, seeded and peeled
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 Tbsp. mini chocolate chips

Toppings: shredded unsweetened coconut, finely chopped nuts (hazelnuts, cashews, almonds)

Directions

1. Place all of the dry ingredients (rolled oats, flaxseed, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg) in a food processor and pulse several times to combine
2. Mash the banana and California avocado together in a bowl. Add this mixture to the food processor along with the almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract
3. Process everything together until it is well combined, stopping the food processor and scraping down the sides of the mixing container several times to ensure everything gets evenly mixed together
4. Transfer the mixture to a medium-sized bowl, add the mini chocolate chips and use a rubber spatula to mix everything together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour (or overnight)
5. When you are ready to roll the snack bites, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and put each of your desired toppings in separate bowls
6. Scoop 1 ½ tablespoons of the snack bite mixture (I used a 1 ½ tablespoon stainless steel scoop) and roll into a ball using the palms of your hands. (The balls will be about 1-inch in diameter.) Roll the ball in your desired topping, then set it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Refrigerate for at least one hour, then eat or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator (or the freezer!)