Quick and Easy: Nutella Bites

It’s mid-April. Summer is literally right around the corner, and I’m starting to become more conscious of my dessert obsession. Alright, maybe I’m *attempting* to become more conscious. 

This year, I have added pressure. My youngest sister (Lynnie of Style, She Wrote.) is getting married in July. Not only is my “baby” about to be single no more, but I have to get myself into a dress fit for a maid of honor.  

Do I give up nibbling on anything remotely sweet between now and then? Totally unrealistic. Last week, I made matters worse and broke my cardinal rule of staying in shape: I bought Nutella. Go ahead and gasp, because you know as well as I do it’s absolutely impossible to keep this stuff in the house for long. The jar isn’t really that big, after all. 

While perusing Pinterest for some not-so-offensive after dinner snacks, I came across a recipe for “No Bake Energy Bites,” which looked, well, healthy enough. I’m a big fan of no bake cookies. They require minimal effort and allow you to add any combination of your favorite mix-in ingredients — chips, nuts, dried fruit. (See recipes for Cranberry, White Chocolate and Oats and Chocolate Oatmeal). Of course, my best laid plans went awry. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of peanut butter and I didn’t have enough on hand. But there, in the cabinet, was an unopened jar of Nutella…

So, while you envision me having at it with a big spoon, here’s the recipe for the little treats that resulted from my quick innovation. You can thank me later. 

Nutella Bites
1 cup rolled oats (not Quick Cooking)
1/3 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup Nutella
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Combine oats, flax seed meal and chocolate chips in a medium-size bowl. 

2. Add honey, Nutella and vanilla. 

3. Mix until well combined. Roll into golf-ball size shapes. Refrigerate until set (about 30 minutes) and enjoy!

(Oh, that warning on the label indicating not to refrigerate Nutella doesn’t apply in this case. The Bites survived!)

Do you enjoy No Bake Cookies? What’s your favorite flavor combination? Post a comment below.