This is a throwback snack, with a few twists. Many people remember their moms making them when they were little, more often recalled as ‘peanut butter balls’. I changed the name to ‘energy bites’ because I added a few healthy mix-ins and I wanted to avoid comparison to a certain SNL skit with Pete Schweddy.

These little energy bites have a good balance of protein and fat to help get you or your little ones through the afternoon, along with a little nutritional boost and a kiss of sweetness to make it appealing to every palate.

The options for mix-ins are endless. Wheat germ, flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, nuts, almost any dried fruit. Choose whatever combination is most delicious to you.

I’ve included links to two versions of this recipe. The first was published in The Isthmus, and the second was this week’s Tallgrass Kitchen column in the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal. Enjoy!