Last week, I finally replenished my Almond Butter stash after being without it for a few months. I really don’t know how I survived that long! I actually need to start making my own again too.
But the good news is, Almond Butter (crunchy, all-natural) is now back in my life and I can return to a normal human being.
Well, I guess that’s relative.
Anyways, I am willing to turn a new leaf in 2011 where I shall not be without my dear Almond Butter for this long.
This is a promise to myself.
For this recipe idea I challenged myself with several requirements:
- Portable
- Less than 5 minutes to prepare
- 5 Ingredients or less
- Around 100 calories
- No-Bake
- Vegan
- 1 Bowl
- Easily adapted to wheat/gluten-free
It was a tall order, but I was willing to take the challenge!
Amazingly, I was satisfied with the first trial. That rarely happens! It must be the magic of the Almond Butter.
I’m telling you, 2011 is going to be a lucky year…
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5 Minute + 5 Ingredient No Bake Vegan Almond Butter Chews
Yield
7 golf-ball sized chews
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
5 mins
Total time
These Almond Butter Chews could not be any easier and they make a simple pre-workout snack for about 100 calories each. They take 5 minutes to whip up, use just 1 bowl, and do not require an oven! You could even make them gluten-free quite easily too. I use the Nature’s Path Rice Crisp cereal that just happens to also be Gluten-Free.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chunky all-natural almond butter
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup rice crisp cereal (I use GF Nature’s Path)
- 3 tbsp organic brown rice syrup (honey might work, but I’m not sure how it will hold together)
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs (or chopped chocolate)
Directions
- Line a plate with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together the almond butter, brown rice syrup, and vanilla. Microwave on high for 35-45 seconds. Stir well and immediately add in the rice crisp cereal and cacao nibs (or chopped chocolate). Stir very well until fully mixed.
- Wet hands thoroughly and shape the mixture into ‘golf-balls’. Press mixture together firmly so it will hold.
- Wet hands after each ball is formed so the mixture will not stick to your hands. Place the balls onto parchment paper and freeze for 5 minutes. You can keep these chews in the freezer in a sealed container. I really enjoy them straight from the freezer. They remain nice and chewy.
Tip:
For nut-free option, use sweetened sunflower seed butter.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I have been using this Nature’s Path Rice Crisp for a few years now and it never lets me down!
It also happens to be Gluten-Free to boot.
Gather up the 5 ingredients…
Mix the wet ingredients together (Almond butter, vanilla, and brown rice syrup)
I’m always asked where to find Brown Rice Syrup. You can find it at Whole Foods and at Loblaws/Superstore in the natural food aisle near the honey. I use Lundberg’s organic Brown Rice Syrup.
Brown Rice Syrup is made from brown rice and is thus a great alternative to refined sugar because it has a lower glycemic index and it also does not produce spikes in blood sugar like simple sugar. As a result, brown rice syrup delivers a steady and consistent energy supply. I fueled a half marathon using brown rice syrup once!
Stir well.
Heat in microwave on high for 35-45 seconds. Stir.
Now mix in the dry ingredients (rice crisp and cacao nibs or chocolate)
Make sure to stir very well so that you coat all of the rice crispies!
Now wet your hands very well and form into balls. You will have to keep wetting your hands after you make each ball so the mixture won’t stick.
I made 7 large chews.
Freeze for 5-10 minutes.
and enjoy!
Eric and I absolutely went wild over these Almond Butter Chews. I love them straight from the freezer. They are chewy, sweet (but not too sweet!), crunchy, and they pack a wonderful Almond Butter Flavour.
It is a great pre-workout snack when you just need something small and you don’t need a large snack or meal. I popped one in my bag and enjoyed it before a Body Pump class and it was just enough fuel to carry me through until I had a post-workout snack.
You might also be interested in my Chocolate PB Chew recipe too!
ohh these almond butter chews look fantastic! i have been looking for a a pre-workout snack like this. thanks so much!! :)
So cute! Perfect for snacking. LOVE almondbuttah
I love almond butter too! These look fantastic.
These sound perfect for a morning snack or a pre-workout pick-me up! I’ll have to make these ASAP!
These look delicious! I can’t live without almond butter either and make a new batch about every two weeks (together with peanut and hazelnut butter haha, nutbutters go very fast between me and the boyfriend!).
Now I just need to get a hold of brown rice syrup and rice crispies…
Delicious!!! I would what I can replace the rice crisp cereal with to make it grain free. I have an intolerance to grains.
Any ideas??? Those look amazing!
Yes! Those nutty bars were awesome! I’ll have to give these a try- especially since I tend to do better with no-bake baked goods anyway. ;)
These look great. I’m going to try these at home! :) And hooray for being quick. I have this almond butter in the fridge that I’ve yet to use… I think it’s raw almond butter. Does that work the exact same way?
yup it should!
OH YES I remember Little Debbie Nutty Bars! They were my fav – especially right out the freezer. If these balls taste anything like a Little Debbie, I’m sold!
I do remember those!! I so want to try making these…I think whole foods sells that cereal in bulk! Love your easy, healthy recipes Angela :)
Those look fantastic Angela! I love Nature’s Path rice puff by the way!
I will have to try that too :)
Oooh, I especially love that cereal in this recipe – great ingredients, as always!! Love your recipes :)
I love this recipe–and I really appreciate the explanation of brown rice syrup. I’ve been wondering how that might be better than maple syrup or honey–so thanks!
Good luck huh? You must have eaten your Hoppin John for New Years? ;)
Those do look perfect! Very simple snack. I have almond butter in my fridge, I use it to flavour soups sometimes. I made a similar recipe to these a while back but used peanut butter and puffed millet. I can’t wait to try them w the almond butter, so yummy!
I cant wait to try them with different nut butters too :)
I’ve got everything but the cereal at home, but I do have puffed millet! YAY! I’m going to try!
Oh my…I don’t have brown rice syrup, but if these taste like Nutty Bars I will go to the ends of the earth to find it. (Or maybe I’ll just try honey) Little Debbie will always have a piece of my heart :)
haha…I know same here. I used to BEG my mom to buy little debbie snack cakes!
They dont taste just like them or anything, but the texture and taste def. reminded me of them. Im sure that would be even more so, if I had used PB + chocolate too.
Awesome! Thanks for the recipe!!!!
P.S. I used honey in mine a while back and they held together perfectly, I think it’s the nut butter that acts as a ‘glue’, so agave would work I’m guessing also.
Those are cute. It looks like the perfect snack.
Oh dear! Someone’s having Foodbuzz Contest withdrawal symptoms! Now you’re making up your own challenges! Ha ha ha
These look SUPER tasty. These will go on my post-January bake list for sure (I promised my boyfriend that January is a no-baking zone to recover from Christmas)!
My husband and I are both big fans of anything based with crispy rice! I need to replenish my almond butter stash and these will be made. :)