Picture this.
You’re eight years old, sitting in the cafeteria at school, about to open your lunch box. The “lunch monitors” have finally gotten off their high horses. That is, they’ve finally stopped telling you to be quiet in the hallway, acting like their job is ten times more important than it is.
You open your lunchbox, and next to the salami sandwich, pretzels, kiwi and a cookie, is a box of raisins. RAISINS. The audacity.
The worst part is that the sad excuse of a fruit that you told your mom ten times not to pack you isn’t even tradeable. Let’s be real. Who wants wrinkly raisins when you can trade for Oreos, Lunchables and Bugles? (Ew.) And how disappointed are you when you think you’re about to eat a chocolate chip cookie and it turns out to be oatmeal raisin? The nerve!
Okay, I admit it. I use to hate raisins. Guilty. I won't ever prefer them in a cookie over chocolate chips, but I can confidently say that nowadays, I enjoy raisins. But if you hate raisins, I totally get it. Feel free to leave them out and double the chocolate chips if you're a raisin hater. No shame.
Going back to school = time for new snackity snacks. Balls, bites, healthy muffins, no-bake watchamakalits and all that jazz. I'm down to the last two of my beloved lemon poppyseed muffins. I've been eating one every day around 3pm with or without an iced coffee with a splash of soy from Cup O Joe. It's the best iced coffee ever. Bite, sip, repeat.
These are like the healthy no-bake version of the classic oatmeal raisin cookies. All you do is dump everything in a bowl (no food processor required), so they're super easy to make. No, they don't taste like soft, pillowy, buttery, hot outta the oven likeyourgrandmausedtomake oatmeal cookies, but if you want something tasty, healthy, portable and no-bake, these are definitely the next best thing. They're pretty forgiving, so feel free to add coconut, walnuts, chia seeds or a splash of vanilla.
I haven't tried making these with any other liquid sweetener, so I'm not sure if they would stick together as well with pure maple syrup or agave. Feel free to try and report back if you do! These are slightly sweet from the two itty bitty tablespoons of honey and bites of chocolate chips and raisins here and there, but they're definitely not as sweet as your standard cookie. If you're making these for dessert, you could toss in a little brown sugar. Live a little!
Your lunchbox is calling.
Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Chip Bites
Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Chip Bites
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup almond meal
- 2 tbsp almond butter (or sunflower seed butter)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- dash of salt
- ¼ cup raisins
- 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Dump all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine. Using your hands to mix may help it come together more quickly!
- Form into about 8 small balls. Store in the fridge for about a week or in the freezer for months.
Looking for more bites? Try my Mexican hot chocolate bites or chocolate chia peanut butter chia bites.
Victoria says
Stumbled across this post a little late but let me just tell you... super delish! Looove them and their poppable-ness.
Thank you !!
Victoria says
Stumbled across this post a little late but let me just tell you... super delish! Looove them and their poppable-ness.
Thank you !!
Jen says
These look delicious! My son is allergic to nuts. Is there a substitute for the almond meal? Thank you!
Alexis says
Maybe ground sunflower seeds if he isn't allergic to seeds? Or more oats?
Jen says
These look delicious! My son is allergic to nuts. Is there a substitute for the almond meal? Thank you!
Alexis says
Maybe ground sunflower seeds if he isn't allergic to seeds? Or more oats?
April says
These are crazy good. I added chia seeds, a tad more almond butter and may have been generous on both raisins and mini chips. They were hard to form into balls at first so I stuck the mixture in the fridge - a couple hours later, muuuch easier. They taste SO good - sorta like cookie dough to me. And I got like 13 balls out of it! Boom. My kitchen will be seeing these again. Alexis you're a genius! Yum. Make these, people. You won't regret it.
Alexis says
Being generous is never a bad thing, espesh when we're talking chocolate. I mean duh. Have I told you lately that I lurve you?
April says
These are crazy good. I added chia seeds, a tad more almond butter and may have been generous on both raisins and mini chips. They were hard to form into balls at first so I stuck the mixture in the fridge - a couple hours later, muuuch easier. They taste SO good - sorta like cookie dough to me. And I got like 13 balls out of it! Boom. My kitchen will be seeing these again. Alexis you're a genius! Yum. Make these, people. You won't regret it.
Alexis says
Being generous is never a bad thing, espesh when we're talking chocolate. I mean duh. Have I told you lately that I lurve you?
Beth says
Hey Alexis,
These are soooo good. I made a few substitutions but can't rave enough about how good they are for a snack. Perfectly sweet and cinnamon-y. To me, they taste a bit like a cinnamon donut hole. I will be making these again and again. I liked them cold and ate the whole batch in one day. Such a breeze to make and great flavor combo. You come up with such good recipes!
Beth
Alexis says
Hey Beth! I'm SO happy to hear how much you're enjoying the bites. I agree--they the perfect amount of sweetness! I've been storing them in the fridge and grabbing one as a snack...they taste amazing cold! Thanks for reading 🙂
Beth says
Hey Alexis,
These are soooo good. I made a few substitutions but can't rave enough about how good they are for a snack. Perfectly sweet and cinnamon-y. To me, they taste a bit like a cinnamon donut hole. I will be making these again and again. I liked them cold and ate the whole batch in one day. Such a breeze to make and great flavor combo. You come up with such good recipes!
Beth
Alexis says
Hey Beth! I'm SO happy to hear how much you're enjoying the bites. I agree--they the perfect amount of sweetness! I've been storing them in the fridge and grabbing one as a snack...they taste amazing cold! Thanks for reading 🙂
Kylie @ immaeatthat says
Truly the best snack for back-to-school! So easy to grab-and-go. And anything oatmeal raisin is just perfect! Oh and then the cinnamon makes it feel like Fall, which I am so ready for!
Alexis says
I'm all about the grab and go now that I have to wake up for school! Glad you dig the oatmeal raisin combo 🙂 PS--I'm MORE than ready for pumpkin.
Kylie @ immaeatthat says
Truly the best snack for back-to-school! So easy to grab-and-go. And anything oatmeal raisin is just perfect! Oh and then the cinnamon makes it feel like Fall, which I am so ready for!
Alexis says
I'm all about the grab and go now that I have to wake up for school! Glad you dig the oatmeal raisin combo 🙂 PS--I'm MORE than ready for pumpkin.
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie says
It didn't let me finish my comment! I meant to say my sister has always hated raisins and won't even tolerate them in cookies. I think she's the weird one 😉
Alexis says
Okay--so we're not the weird ones...phew! 😉
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie says
It didn't let me finish my comment! I meant to say my sister has always hated raisins and won't even tolerate them in cookies. I think she's the weird one 😉
Alexis says
Okay--so we're not the weird ones...phew! 😉
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie says
I'm a weirdo because I LOVE raisins on their own but they're even better in cookies, especially combined with chocolate chips! My sister, on the other
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie says
I'm a weirdo because I LOVE raisins on their own but they're even better in cookies, especially combined with chocolate chips! My sister, on the other
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
YUM 🙂
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
YUM 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
this looks so good. you come up with such healthy treats.
Alexis says
Thanks, lady! You know I love a good healthy snack 🙂 Have a great weekend!
honeywhatscooking says
this looks so good. you come up with such healthy treats.
Alexis says
Thanks, lady! You know I love a good healthy snack 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Khushboo Thadani says
I am in the minority but I actually love raisins, both plain and in cookie form! I love when apple pies contain raisins so I'm thinking a little applesauce thrown into the mix could only take these balls up a notch :)!
Alexis says
Well then you're bound to love these little cookie bites! I was actually thinking of an apple pie version with applesauce....stay tuned!
Khushboo Thadani says
I am in the minority but I actually love raisins, both plain and in cookie form! I love when apple pies contain raisins so I'm thinking a little applesauce thrown into the mix could only take these balls up a notch :)!
Alexis says
Well then you're bound to love these little cookie bites! I was actually thinking of an apple pie version with applesauce....stay tuned!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says
Haha - I'm so with you when it comes to raisins pretending to be chocolate chips. That's the worst!! These bites look like the perfect portable snack to pop before heading to the gym after work.
Alexis says
I've been popping one as a pre-workout snack 🙂 Perfect!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says
Haha - I'm so with you when it comes to raisins pretending to be chocolate chips. That's the worst!! These bites look like the perfect portable snack to pop before heading to the gym after work.
Alexis says
I've been popping one as a pre-workout snack 🙂 Perfect!
V says
Looks awesome. I've always liked raisins.
p.s. I miss those Bugles! lol
V says
Looks awesome. I've always liked raisins.
p.s. I miss those Bugles! lol
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
I just realized like 4 days ago that I don't hate raisins anymore. Perfect timing! These sound great.
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
I just realized like 4 days ago that I don't hate raisins anymore. Perfect timing! These sound great.
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
YES...bites...you know I'm a huge fan!!!! 😉 Pinning and trying asap!!!
Alexis says
I KNOW you'll adore these bites. Guaranteed 🙂
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
YES...bites...you know I'm a huge fan!!!! 😉 Pinning and trying asap!!!
Alexis says
I KNOW you'll adore these bites. Guaranteed 🙂
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
I feel the same way about raisins by itself but when combined in cookies - i will take it
Alexis says
Glad we're in agreement!
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
I feel the same way about raisins by itself but when combined in cookies - i will take it
Alexis says
Glad we're in agreement!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
Little balls like this make great snacks for me and my husband!! The cinnamon and raisin combo sounds amazing.
Alexis says
Hope your hubby likes 'em!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
Little balls like this make great snacks for me and my husband!! The cinnamon and raisin combo sounds amazing.
Alexis says
Hope your hubby likes 'em!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Definitely not a raisin hater so sign me up for a batch of these! True story, when I was younger my mom would pack Lunchables (when she was lazy 😛 ) and I would trade for fruit, including boxed raisins! Wild child I tell you.
Alexis says
Damn, girl! You must have been one crazy fruit-lovin' child. Hope my kid turns out like that!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Definitely not a raisin hater so sign me up for a batch of these! True story, when I was younger my mom would pack Lunchables (when she was lazy 😛 ) and I would trade for fruit, including boxed raisins! Wild child I tell you.
Alexis says
Damn, girl! You must have been one crazy fruit-lovin' child. Hope my kid turns out like that!
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear? says
These look amazing! I've always loved raisins, but it's definitely a food that most people are iffy on! Especialllllyyyy kids.
Alexis says
Thanks, Jess! It's one of those love it or hate it foods...like mustard and mayo. Mayo...ew. Mustard....yum!
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear? says
These look amazing! I've always loved raisins, but it's definitely a food that most people are iffy on! Especialllllyyyy kids.
Alexis says
Thanks, Jess! It's one of those love it or hate it foods...like mustard and mayo. Mayo...ew. Mustard....yum!