Vegan Lemon Chia Seed Protein Bites

I don’t know if it’s the sun, the warm weather, or a combination of the two, but I crave lemon-flavored things in the summer! I remember eating lemon Italian ice with my dad on the hottest days of the summer when I was a kid after a softball game. Ever since then, lemon has always been one of my favorite flavors of the season. So we’re throwing back those flavors in a healthier way: lemon chia seed. You know lemon poppy seed? The flavors are so refreshing! So sweet! So bright and flavorful! And that’s exactly what’s going on here with these protein bites. Except we’re substituting chia seeds for the poppy seeds! That’s why I’m so excited about these Vegan Lemon Chia Seed Protein Bites today. To be honest, I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of them since I whipped them up the other day. They are so tasty, and the texture is 100% on point. And luckily, it’s almost as easy to make ‘em as it is to eat ‘em :) It all starts with some oats! Quick oats to be exact. I like using quick oats here so that these bites aren’t overly . . . oatty. We have so many other textures and flavors happening here, we don’t want the oats to take center stage. Then comes the protein powder. Lemon is such a delicate and delightful flavor, so we want to go with an unflavored version here. Luckily, Bob’s Red Mill has this amazing unflavored fiber protein powder that I just love, and it works perfectly in this recipe! Not only does it give these bites their protein, but it also delivers a healthy dose of fiber and probiotics, too! Plus, it’s full of chia seeds, which is perfect for our whole lemon chia seed dealio. For our wet ingredients, we’ll need some almond butter (for chew), coconut oil (to help everything stick together), and maple syrup or honey (for just a bit of sweetness). These ingredients work together so well with our lemon zest! I love this combo so so much. I really think you’ll love these protein bites, friends! I love grabbing one or two as I’m running out the door or sitting down to work, and they always tend to give me a lasting burst of energy. So so good. Enjoy!

Vegan Lemon Chia Seed Protein Bites

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes | Makes 10-12 bites

• 1/2 cup Protein & Fiber Nutritional Booster
• 1 cup Quick Oats (gluten free if necessary)
• ¼ cup Almond Butter*
• 3-4 Tbsp Coconut Oil, melted
• 3 Tbsp Honey (or Maple Syrup for vegan)
• Zest of 1 huge Lemon (or two medium-sized lemons)

Add your nutritional booster and quick oats to a medium sized bowl. Mix to combine. Add almond butter, melted coconut oil, honey and lemon zest in a smaller bowl. Mix to combine. Add your wet ingredients to your dry ingredients and mix well. The mixture should be a bit dry, but you should be able to carefully form balls of dough with your hands. If the mixture is too dry, add in that extra tablespoon of coconut oil. Line a plate with parchment paper, and carefully roll your mixture into 10-12 balls (the mixture is a bit delicate). Place in the fridge to set up. You can remove the balls from the fridge after 5 minutes and shape into balls if needed. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Notes: *I used a slightly sweetened almond butter and I thought the balls were perfectly sweetened. If you can’t find a sweetened almond butter and would prefer your balls to be a bit sweeter, skip the extra tablespoon of coconut oil and add a touch more sweetener. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness. Alexa Peduzzi is the fruit & veggie-obsessed girl behind Fooduzzi, the plant-based and gluten free food blog. She’s a self-trained cook with a special weakness for cookies, peanut butter, and roasted broccoli. She currently works as the Community and Event Specialist at Food Blogger Pro, and she lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her boyfriend, Mark, and cat, Maya. Follow Fooduzzi for more plant-based and gluten-free recipes!