4 O'Clock No-Bake Energy Bites

Ingredients

• 1 cup lightly toasted old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons chia seeds, ground in mortar & pestle
• 1/4 cup chopped chocolate, or chips
• 3 tablespoons good maple syrup
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened, toasted coconut flakes
• 2/3 cup well-stirred natural peanut butter
• Sea salt, to taste

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, chia seeds, chocolate, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut until everything is evenly mixed. Add the peanut butter, then use your hands to knead and squeeze the mixture until it holds together. If it refuses to form a ball, work in a little more peanut butter. If it feels overly sticky, mix in more oats.
2. You can roll the mixture into balls with your hands, but for a neater route, pack it into a rounded tablespoon and pop each bite back out. Set the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate, then chill them in the refrigerator or freezer. Pack them in a small jar, bento, or other sturdy little container when you want them to travel.