This post (and the awesome Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites within it) are sponsored by a compensated campaign with California Raisins through the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network.
I’ve been a big fan of California raisins every since I was little. With the exception of when the little dried fruit made it into my Halloween bag, I was always happy to see them, and they made a great portable, convenient, and naturally sweet afternoon snack. Nowadays, I still enjoy raisins in the afternoon by the handful, or, better yet, in energy balls or bites. I’ve made a couple variations on these snacks in the past (see my Cinnamon Raisin Almond Balls from back in the day, an old fave), but I especially love this new version. They have a great mix of complex carbs and fiber from the raisins and oats, which, when paired with the satiety-promoting healthy fat and protein from the nuts and ground flaxseed, make for a perfect energy boosting afternoon snack.
I love using raisins in ball and bite recipes because they add whole food sweetness without needing added refined sugar, and they help the bites stick together, too. And did you know that raisins offer 9% of your daily fiber and potassium, and 6% of your daily iron (per quarter cup serving)? Nice. They also have zero fat and cholesterol.
This recipe has an added bonus: it’s a great long run fuel, too! If you’re tired of gels and gummies and want to try some real food fuel, give these a shot. (Note: You might want to add a few shakes of salt to them in that case, especially if you use unsalted peanut butter.)
MY OTHER RECIPES
Here’s the recipe. Enjoy it!
Oatmeal California Raisin Energy Bites
Ingredients
(24 to 32 balls)
- 2 cups California raisins
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor.
- Process until the mixture is finely ground and holds together when pressed.
- Roll the mixture into balls, as big or small as you’d like!
- If you like a firmer texture (and want them to keep longer), store in the fridge (or freezer). Enjoy!
Looking for more raisin-inspired afternoon snacks for fall? Check out my Microwave Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookie for One and my Yogurt & Cottage Cheese Mess.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy raisins? I’m also partial to “ants on a log”. :)
Visit www.loveyourraisins.com for more information about California Raisins. You can also find them on Facebook (facebook.com/californiaraisins) and sign up to receive a California Raisins prize pack!
I love ants on a log or oatmeal raisin cookies! Thank you for the recipe! Looks yummy. :-)
These look delicious! My dad is a HUGE oatmeal raisin lover! I love raisins in trail mix, or coated in dark chocolate!
Oooh – I cannot wait to give these a try as I love healthy bites – thanks so much!!
These look so easy and delicious, I’ll definitely be trying them!
I like raisins in my bagels and bread =).
Your Halloween bag comment made me laugh out loud. Isn’t that the truth?
I love to do cauliflower with carmelized onion, walnuts, and raisins. The raisins soak up the cooking liquid and get super plump and juicy. Delicious!
I have something like 10 lbs of raisins in my apartment right now…
Yum, that sounds good!
It is one of my favorite vegetable sides, and I sometimes like to have leftovers for breakfast with a couple of fried eggs–super yum. I posted a recipe with a cauliflower “rice” version on my blog a while back (http://chocolateandvegetables.com/2013/10/09/cauliflower-rice-pilaf/) if you feel like trying it sometime (hope that is not too self-promotional…feel free to remove if it is).
Not at all, thank you for sharing!
I enjoy raisins in trail mix or homemade granola bars for all of the reasons you shared above! Those bites look delicious. I will definitely need to switch it up from our tired but true date balls and give these a whirl.
Thanks for the delicious-looking recipe :) I’m always on the lookout for easy, portable snack recipes, and these look great; I love cinnamon! I’ll definitely be trying them out. Balls/bites are really convenient.
Yum! I love bites, but I’ve never used raisins before, will have to try this recipe out!
YUM. I need some new snack ideas, this looks great.
These look so good! I’m starting to do longer runs so I’ll definitely look into them for fuelling :) Gu really does not appeal to me!
Hello Anne. Love your blog! These sound lovely. What is your opinion on soaking oats to neutralise phytic acid? Do you think it’s unnecessary? Thank you!
I don’t do it – don’t really know enough about it to have an opinion on it, I’m sorry!
These look yummmy and easy to make! Definitely would be easy to grab for a quick, healthy breakfast when you’re in a rush!
These look awesome!
Wow! Thanks for sharing your recipe. It is going to be a good fuel for long runs when I am training. I would bookmark your site and ask my wife to make your sumptuous recipe this coming weekend. Thanks again! :)
Love these!!! So many of the “ball” recipes use dates — which I love, but frankly, never have on hand. I always have raisins as my kids are #raisinaddicts :)
Raisins also have the upside of being less of a sticky hot mess than dates. :)
I wonder how these would turn out with the addition of chia seeds? I’m mostly thinking in terms of running fuel, as I’ve heard they are great for that!
Good idea, let us know if it works!
These look delish! I will have to give them a try! I have a bunch of dates in my pantry I bet would work too…
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try them out this weekend. Great photos, too!
Look very tasty/good!
I am going to make these tonight but replace the raisins with dried cherries as I have these on hand since they are so great to eat leading up to the marathon!
Great recipe! I made these for my kids and they were gone in 10 minutes!
l love that this is so simple and easy and inexpensive. Go to try this soon!
Yay, let me know how you like them! :)
These were easy to make and very good. Even though we only had enough raisins for a half a batch,
Glad you enjoyed them! :)