These really do only take three minutes to make and can fuel your activities all day. I spend long hours out on the farm and wanted something easier and less processed than candy or commercially-made granola bars that weren’t as sickly sweet. A friend from India shared something similar that his wife makes for his long day’s snacking that was based on shredded carrot. My experiments led me to dates, dried fruit, and oats. Your food processor and a little scale work is all you need to get there. No cooking or added sugar necessary. A big thermos of tea and a little bag of these and I can chainsaw trees and dig garden beds all day long at the farm.
Three-minute Energy Bites
yield: about twenty pieces
100g dates, pits removed
100g dried papaya or mango
100g shredded desiccated unsweetened coconut
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
100g rolled oats
Extra coconut for finishing
In a food processor fitted with the standard blade, process all except the oats to a fine consistency. Add the oats and pulse several times before adding 3-4 tablespoons water. Continue to pulse to a texture that easily holds its shape when pressed. Roll into one-inch balls (~25g each) and place on a wide tray with extra coconut then shake to coat. Store in an airtight container up to a week.
– msh v.1.1
