12 Dec No-Bake, High Protein Coffee Banana Energy Bites

Power shopping through these last few weeks before the holidays calls for high protein, coffee fueled energy bites made with creamy almond butter and sweet bananas.

Disclaimer: Thank you ALDI for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own.

When it comes to the holidays, there’s no question that shopping is a part of the equation.

Food shopping for the meals, snack shopping for in-between meals, beverage shopping for, well, whenever and dessert shopping. (I’ve got a tip to SAVE money here—keep reading!)

Then comes gift shopping for holidays, hostess gifts, teacher and special friends gifts, gift exchanges, gifts for those in need and a few extra gifts- JIC. (just in case).

Traveling for the holidays? Shopping for airfares, train fares and bus fares.

Oh, and shopping for winter wear for whatever climate you may be visiting for the holidays.

Shopping for childcare (since school is out), dog or other animal care (if you are traveling).

And there’s always shopping for the service professional who will clean your carpets, fix the oven when it breaks on Christmas Eve day and paying for the emergency vet visit when your pet starts vomiting uncontrollably the day before your company arrives.

My reality? Perhaps. Let it be known: I’m not a fan of shopping. Therefore, the holidays can be, ahem, a bit stressful.

When faced with unexpected or unmanaged stress, one could tend to reach for easy to find food and drinks that may or may not be exactly what’s needed.

Examples could include:

Persuasive smells of a certain pretzel shop often found in many airports across the US.

Holiday exclusive drinks or sweets at a coffee shop.

Mindless snacking through stores offering food and beverage samples, or holiday cheer sent from clients or customers that sit in breakrooms and on desks in offices around the country.

Seasonally colored exclusive treats that are only offered this time of year…and the list goes on and on.

It’s tempting, right?

The only way for me to stay on track during this time of year is to be prepared. Prepared, not only with my finances, but with my eating plan, too.

ALDI has it covered when it comes to both.

Not only can you save between 30-50% on your grocery bill, you’ll find the SimplyNature line. Aldi proudly created this line with only  honest ingredients and without certified synthetic colors, partially hydrogenated oils and added MSG. From produce to pantry, the SimplyNature products are high quality, great tasting and of course, reasonably priced.

This recipe, created by Chef Lindsey at the ALDI Test Kitchen, takes less than 10 minutes to make and is the perfect snack to eat prior to fighting the crowds at the mall, the grocery store or the airport! It’s high protein and healthy fat combo keeps you satisfied and the honey and chocolate satisfy the sweet flavor you might be craving.

No-Bake Coffee Banana Energy Bites

1 banana, about ½ cup
2 ½ cups Millville Old Fashioned Oats
2 T SimplyNature Organic Wildflower Honey
½ cup SimplyNature Creamy Almond Butter
4 T Specialty Selected Premium Roasted Regular Coffee, grounds
½ cup Baker’s Corner Semi-Sweet Mini Morsels
¼ t Stonemill Essentials Ground Cinnamon

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, mash banana until no lumps remain and it resembles a liquid.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix until well blended. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
3. Form into 24 portions, roll into uniform balls, refrigerate for an additional 20 minutes to set.
4. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.