I’m pretty sure we can all agree that Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter is the best kind of almond butter, which is why these almond butte protein bites are going to be your new favorite snack! If you haven’t tried it yet, you can find a jar at Giant Eagle or Whole Foods. Trust me when I say it’s well worth the cost.
Since I’ve started working out in the mornings, I’ve found myself craving a variety of proteins post-workout. My #1 go-to are eggs, mostly because they are so versatile. However, some mornings I just want something sweet, but nothing too sweet that would take away from the effort I put forth in the gym. This is where almond butter comes in and where these almond butter protein bites come in handy.
I figure there are two ways to eat almond butter:
1. Jar straight to the face, or
2. Make some sort of healthy sweet out of it
Number two sounded like the better option so that’s what I did.
I’m a big fan of bites of any kind. They’re portable, easy to make, the perfect afternoon snack and, with a bit of protein, the perfect post-workout snack as well.
Since I’m much more of a sweets person than a salty person, I tend to crave sweets throughout the day, but especially after dinnertime. These bites fulfill my after dinner craving to a T, which makes me feel much better than eating a handful (or two, or 12) of chocolate chips straight from the bag 😉 I mean, it’s Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter for goodness sake. It’s so good!
If you’re looking for a sweet and healthy snack, these almond butter protein bites are it.
Vanilla Almond Butter Protein Bites
Ingredients
- 16 oz Justin's Vanilla Almond Butter*
- 1 c. vanilla protein powder
- 1 c. oats
- 3/4 c. honey
- 1/4 c. chia seeds
- 1-2 tbsp vanilla soy milk you can use any kind of milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 c. white chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Mix the almond butter, protein powder, oats, honey, and chia seeds together as best as you can.
- Add the milk and vanilla into the mixture, which will make mixing everything together easier.
- Last, add in the white chocolate chips.
- Stir until everything is mixed.
- Roll into medium sized balls; Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
- *Makes 17-23 balls, depending in size
Notes
For other bites, check out these.
Q: Do you ever crave sweets post-workout? Do you agree that Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter is the best?
These looks delicious!
Almond butter is definitely one of my favourite foods right now! These protein balls look so gorgeous in the photos, I wouldn’t mind eating a handful of them every time I excercise.
I have made these a few times and love them! My husband thinks they are the best! I also use this trick to help them mix WAY easier – melt the almond butter and honey over the stove top, then mix into combined dry ingredients, and follow as directed. Only thing is that it melts any chocolate chips you put in (I used mini Enjoy Life brand). I suppose you could wait a bit to let the mixture cool, but I never could wait! As long as you use a scooper and a spoon, you won’t get your hands too gooey :). I also used Justin’s maple AB and are just as good!
I was wondering if I could use agave or pure maple syrup instead of honey??
These look delicious! Question: can I skin protein powder or substitute it with something else?
These look amazing! Can I use anything other than the protein powder but definitely healthier?
Thanks!
Okay, I actually MADE these (with a couple of slight modifications) and can say that they are delicious and just the thing to keep in my fridge at work for a mid-morning snack. I used brown rice syrup instead of honey, used unsweetened original almond milk instead of vanilla soy, and omitted the vanilla all together. I also stirred in a few butterscotch chips in lieu of white chocolate. My batch made over 2 doz. bites. Perfect!
Um these look amazing! I also have a total sweet tooth and am always hunt for ways to curb my cravings with zero guilt. I think I should hoof it down to whole foods and make these asap. Thanks for the share!
We don’t have Justin’s AB here but I think I need to get some shipped over as it sounds seriously good! As do these genius bites! The perfect mix of carbs, fats and protein too, yum!
Thanks for sharing lady!
These look awesome! Just pinned them!
Ahhh BITES ok….I always make these and call them balls and just feel soooooo weird and awkward about it…but bites….yes this is what I need to call them. Also, obviously these look amazing…anything with JAB is just perfection.
Omigosh Erin these look so good! My only issue is Justin’s price – for me it is $13 a jar :/
Ohhhh I know. I found a jar at Whole Foods for $10! I mean, not much better but kind of better, right?
I always have to have something sweet as my first meal, I just don’t crave savory until much later in the day. These look so yummy, Justin’s Vanilla is amazing!
I am so back and forth but yes recently I have been craving sweets first thing in the morning! I just can’t help it.
Fail whale we don’t have that brand here but dude…your photography is AMAZING! Congrats and tell me your secrets haha! I love the combination of nuts, protein powder and chia seeds- definitely something I can whip up for snacking!
Thanks Arman! I have been practicing….a lot. And yes FAIL WHALE about not carrying Justin’s. Ah well you Aussie’s have a lot of cool brands that we don’t have so it balances out. Right?
Can we still be friends if I never ate Justin’s before? It is on my shopping list but I always get distracted!
Haha yessssss I guesssssss I forgive you. You gotta try it though!
Hi, I’m back! This is super duper random but for some reason I can’t get these off my mind (obvi it’s cause they look delicious…duh!) but I was just on foodgawker submitting a recipe and I thought of you. Don’t know if you’ve tried to submit any recipes or if that’s even your thang but I really think you should try submitting your first photo, worth a shot! I think it’s GORGEOUS! You’ll have to take out the text and when you upload it make sure you crop out the AB cause they don’t like to see brands, oh and make sure you adjust the size so it’s 500 x 500 (I set mine a bit higher cause sometimes 500 ends up being 458 px).
I may have just wayyyy overstepped my boundaries but I honestly just think this recipe looks really good and I’m sure it tastes really good so even more people should see it!
Okay I’m rambling…gah I need help. xo
Hi. You’re the best. Thank you xoxoxo
I really love Barney Butter – I’m currently obsessing over the Vanilla Bean/ Espresso flavor. But, Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter is good! 🙂
Ohhhh I saw the sample pack of that flavor the other night at Giant Eagle and I did one of those…should I buy it? Yes? No? and for some reason I went with No. Ahhh well…next time!
I love almond butter and I agree, that’s my favorite brand! I’ve never made protein balls with it though .. it seems like a natural choice so I’ll be using it next time I’m feeling inspired. Thanks! 🙂
Yay I’m glad you’ve hopped on board the Justin’s train. It seriously is the best.
I should really consider eating energy bites as a post-dinner treat instead of some random dessert (when I can have oats again, of course). I have a hard time with the consistency of energy bites – need to take the almond milk route like you!
Yes I have been eating them after dinner and they’re perfect–very filling!
those sound so good 😀 i want to try them but i am cheap….referring to the almond butter. also, kroger doesn’t sell it! i was there yesterday and looked for it and there was not a single jar.
also..what do chia seeds do?
Don’t worry a lot of stores don’t sell it, unfortunately. Chia seeds have fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, and they don’t really have a taste so they’re easy to throw into smoothies and baked goods 🙂
Shoot! Just when I bought the maple flavor! Haha, these look delicious though! I love stuff you don’t have to bake!
These look amaaaazing!! Such a smart idea for getting yourself up to the gym in the morning. I would be motivated by those white chocolate chips 🙂
Hhah I wasn’t going to add them in but I am glad I did!
Lately I’ve been craving sweets in the morning, so these would be a pretty fabulous mid-morning snack 😉 And anything with Justin’s Vanilla Almond is basically guaranteed to be fabulous – that stuff is amazing.
Isn’t it though?! I’ll pay the price because it is THAT good.
Yum these sound super good! I’m a sucker for anything almond, so I might have to try these and share them with the boyfriend 🙂
Yes please do and let me know what you think!
I definitely crave sweets post workout! I made a peanut butter version of these a few months ago and loved them. Almond butter would be even BETTER!
MMM I have also made a PB version and it is delicious as well.
I make something similar but had never thought to add chia seeds into the mix. Can’t wait to try this!
I LOVE energy bites! I make them often because they’re such a perfect portable snack! This version sounds wonderful, and I hate to say it, I have yet to try the Justin’s brand before. I totally need to get on that!!
Same! I try to always have some in the refrigerator if possible. Let me know if you try the Justin’s brand. It is my new favorite.
These look so yummy! You know I love my balls 🙂 Pictures look gorg too! Hard work is paying off E!
These look delicious! I don’t think we get that brand here in the uk 🙁 Slightly jealous haha. I’m a big fan of this type of snacks, they’re so filling and totally satisfying 🙂 I crave sweet things, not only after a workout, but just in general haha.
That’s ok–you can use any kind of AB. And YES I crave sweets way more than salty things alwayssss.
YUM!!! Those look perfect! Now I have made my own almond butter, I see how amazing it can be….even better than store bought, and everything is almond butter! These sound perfect! Thanks Erin, I will definitely give them a try! They will be the perfect treat for after my runs 🙂
Yay! Let me know how they turn out with your own AB 🙂
I’ve been needing a new “bites” recipe in my life. My one downfall with bites is that I tend to eat the whole batch, but I shall resist!
Haha hey it happens to alllllll of us so no worries!
I actually think Once Again Almond Butter is the very best. This doesn’t ruin our friendship does it?
Hahah no I guess not, especially since I’ve never tried that kind. I’ll have to look for it next time!
I love anything with “bite” in it lol these looks great!