Delightful Australian Energy Bites
Embark on a culinary journey and savor these Delightful Australian Energy Bites, inspired by the beloved Costco Aussie bites! After countless experiments with various recipes and tweaking ingredients, I crafted a unique blend that embodies the essence of these delicious treats while embracing a wholesome twist. Packed with nutritious ingredients like quinoa, chia seeds, and flaxseed, these bites are perfect for breakfast or as a midday snack. Each bite offers a delightful combination of chewy textures and flavors, enriched by the use of Lyle's Golden Syrup for an authentic caramelized sweetness. Designed to work seamlessly with the Calphalon mini-muffin tin, they come out perfectly rounded and ready to enjoy. Ideal for meal prepping, these bites can be stored for days or frozen for later enjoyment. Take your taste buds on an adventure with this delightful recipe!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked toasted quinoa
1/4 cup (Cooked and cooled)
Oat flour
3/4 cup (Gluten-free option available)
Granulated sugar
1/4 cup (Regular or coconut sugar can be used)
Sea salt
1/2 teaspoon (Fine sea salt recommended)
Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (Ensure it's fresh)
Flaxseed meal
1/4 cup (Ground flax seeds)
Whole flax seeds
1/2 tablespoon (Whole, not ground)
Rolled oats
3/4 cup (Old-fashioned or large flake oats)
Dried fruit
1/2 cup (Chopped (raisins and apricots recommended))
Unsweetened dried shredded coconut
1/2 cup (Available in bulk or packaged)
Chia seeds
1 tablespoon (Whole chia seeds)
Roasted unsalted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup (For added crunch)
Melted coconut oil
1/4 cup (Melted and slightly cooled)
Melted butter
1/4 cup (Or substitute with more coconut oil for a dairy-free version)
Agave syrup or honey
2 tablespoons (Select based on your preference)
Lyle's Golden Syrup
2 tablespoons (Authentic ingredient from culinary experience)
Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (Pure extract recommended)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F using the convection bake setting or 350°F if using a standard oven. Lightly grease a 24-count mini-muffin tin with coconut oil for easy release.
2
To prepare the quinoa, rinse 1-1/2 tablespoons of quinoa under cold water. Combine it with 3 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Set aside to cool.
3
In the bowl of a food processor, add the oat flour, granulated sugar, sea salt, baking powder, flaxseed meal, and whole flax seeds. Pulse around 15 times to break up the whole flax seeds slightly.
4
Next, add the rolled oats and dried fruit to the mixture and pulse approximately 10 times until the fruit is broken up into smaller pieces but not completely minced.
5
Incorporate the unsweetened shredded coconut, cooked quinoa, and chia seeds, pulsing an additional 5 times to combine without over-processing.
6
Introduce the roasted sunflower seeds into the mixture and do not pulse; simply stir them in to maintain their crunchiness.
7
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, melted butter, agave syrup or honey, Lyle's Golden Syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour this mixture into the food processor and pulse just until everything is blended, roughly 10 more times.
8
Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), evenly distribute the batter into the prepared muffin tin, lightly pressing down on each mound to ensure they hold together during baking.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as baking times may vary slightly depending on the size of your mini-muffin pan.
10
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bites to cool for 15 minutes. This step is crucial for ensuring they hold together when removed. Gently lift them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
11
Store the energy bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Delightful Australian Energy Bites?
These are wholesome snack bites inspired by the popular Costco Aussie bites, featuring a blend of quinoa, oats, flaxseed, and dried fruit with a caramelized sweetness.
How do I prepare the quinoa for this recipe?
Rinse 1-1/2 tablespoons of quinoa, combine with 3 tablespoons of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the water is absorbed and let it cool.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
Preheat your oven to 325°F if using a convection bake setting, or 350°F if using a standard oven.
What kind of muffin tin should I use?
This recipe is designed to work seamlessly with a 24-count mini-muffin tin, specifically optimized for the Calphalon brand.
Can I make these bites dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the melted butter with an equal amount of melted coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
What is the secret ingredient for the authentic caramelized sweetness?
Lyle's Golden Syrup is used to provide the authentic caramelized sweetness and unique flavor profile found in these bites.
Which dried fruits are recommended for this recipe?
Raisins and apricots are the recommended dried fruits for achieving the best flavor and texture.
How should I prepare the muffin tin before baking?
Lightly grease the mini-muffin tin with coconut oil to ensure the energy bites release easily after baking.
Why do I need to pulse the flax seeds in a food processor?
The recipe suggests pulsing the whole flax seeds about 15 times with the dry ingredients to break them up slightly for better texture.
When should I add the roasted sunflower seeds?
Add the sunflower seeds after processing the other ingredients and stir them in manually instead of pulsing to maintain their crunchiness.
How do I ensure the bites hold together during baking?
Use a medium cookie scoop to distribute the batter and lightly press down on each mound in the muffin tin to help them bind.
What is the recommended baking time?
Bake the bites for 10 to 14 minutes, keeping a close eye on them as times may vary based on your specific pan.
How long should the bites cool in the pan?
It is crucial to let the bites cool in the pan for 15 minutes before attempting to remove them so they hold their shape.
How should I store the finished energy bites?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Can these energy bites be frozen?
Yes, these bites are ideal for meal prepping and can be frozen for longer storage beyond the initial 5 days.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of oat flour, and you can use a gluten-free option if desired.
Can I use coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yes, both regular granulated sugar and coconut sugar are suitable for this recipe.
What kind of oats are best for these bites?
Rolled oats, specifically old-fashioned or large flake oats, provide the best chewy texture.
Is agave syrup mandatory?
You can use either agave syrup or honey depending on your personal preference.
What type of coconut should I buy?
Use unsweetened dried shredded coconut, which is available in bulk or packaged form.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 ingredients in total, including various seeds, grains, and natural sweeteners.
Are these bites suitable for breakfast?
Yes, their nutritious profile makes them perfect for breakfast or as a healthy midday snack.
Do I need to pulse the chia seeds extensively?
No, the chia seeds should only be pulsed about 5 times along with the coconut and quinoa to combine without over-processing.
What kind of salt is recommended?
Fine sea salt is recommended for the best distribution of flavor.
Should the quinoa be hot when added to the processor?
The quinoa should be set aside to cool after cooking before being incorporated into the mixture.
What size cookie scoop is ideal for portioning?
A medium cookie scoop that holds about 1.5 tablespoons is ideal for evenly distributing the batter.
Can I use any vanilla extract?
Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best flavor profile.
What texture can I expect from these bites?
You can expect a delightful combination of chewy textures from the oats and fruit, balanced by the crunch of sunflower seeds.
How do I mix the wet ingredients?
Whisk together the melted coconut oil, melted butter, syrups, and vanilla in a separate bowl before adding them to the food processor.
Is baking powder necessary?
Yes, ensure your baking powder is fresh as it helps provide the proper lift and texture for the bites.