Zesty Lemon & Poppy Seed Bliss Bites (Gluten-Free)
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Okay, let's dive into this! I'm so excited to share one of my absolute go-to gluten-free snack recipes with you. It's not just about satisfying a craving; it's about feeling good too! Forget those dry, crumbly gluten-free snacks that leave you wanting more. We're making something seriously delicious, packed with flavor, and so easy you'll be whipping them up practically on autopilot. This isn't your typical "health" snack, although it is packed with good stuff, it's more about that moment of 'mmm this is exactly what I needed' in the middle of a busy day. I first made these when a group of my friends, who happen to have varying dietary needs (we're a fun bunch!) were coming over for game night. It was a crowd-pleasing hit, and since then it's become a staple in our household. Get ready to love these!
These little bites of sunshine are naturally gluten-free and packed with lemony goodness. They're perfect for a mid-afternoon snack, a healthy dessert, or something to bring along to your next picnic or potluck. The bright, zesty flavor combined with the slight crunch of the poppy seeds is seriously addicting (but in a good way!).
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats (make sure they are certified gluten-free)
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup poppy seeds
- ½ cup natural peanut butter (or any nut butter you prefer)
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup (agave works too!)
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
- Get Your Prep On: First, find a large mixing bowl and set it all aside. This whole recipe is quick. If you haven't already, zest and juice your lemon. It's always a lovely, fresh smell as a starting point for baking.
- Dry Ingredients Unite: Add the gluten-free rolled oats, shredded coconut, almond flour, chia seeds, hemp seeds, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Give it a good mix to combine everything evenly. We're creating our flavor base here, so make sure you get all those ingredients incorporated.
- Wet Wonders Join In: Now it's time for the wet ingredients to take the stage. Add the peanut butter (or your preferred nut butter), honey (or your chosen sweetener), lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the bowl.
- Mix, Mix, Mix: Now comes the fun part! Using a sturdy spoon or spatula, mix everything together until a sticky, cohesive dough forms. The texture should be moist and slightly tacky. Don't be tempted to add more liquid yet, just keep working it. It's a bit of an arm workout, but totally worth it! You might have to use your hands at the end to get it all coming together.
- Chill Out (Briefly): Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. This will firm up the mixture and make it easier to roll into balls. If you're in a rush you can omit this step, but I find it helpful, especially when the weather is warm.
- Roll Into Bliss Bites: Take the bowl out of the fridge. Now comes the messy part – using your hands (I find it easier to use a small spoon to portion out), roll the mixture into small 1-tablespoon sized balls. Place them on a large plate or tray lined with parchment paper. Don't worry if they're not perfectly round; they'll taste just as good with a little charactter!
- Time to Enjoy!: These zesty Lemon & Poppy Seed Bliss Bites are ready to enjoy immediately! They also keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week (if they last that long!), so they make a great snack to prep ahead.
Tips & Tricks for Customization:
- Double the Batch: This recipe is easy to double (or even triple) if you need to feed a crowd or want to have a good stack of snacks throughout the week.
- Chocolate Lover? Add a handful of mini chocolate chips when it's mixing time for a bit of extra indulgence. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate would be divine.
- Spice It Up: For a bit of warmth, add a pinch of ground ginger or cinnamon.
- Texture Twist: For extra crunch, try rolling your finished bliss bites in extra coconut flakes, chopped nuts or seeds.
- Boost the Protein: Add a scoop of your favourite protein powder. Vanilla works well on this recipe.
Recipe Card
Zesty Lemon & Poppy Seed Bliss Bites (Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 15-20 minutes
Yields: 18-20 bliss bites
Ingredients:
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup poppy seeds
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
- Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Add wet ingredients and mix to form a sticky dough.
- Chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
- Roll mixture into 1-tablespoon sized balls and place them on a plate lined with parchment paper.
- Enjoy!
Product Recommendation
To ensure a smooth texture with your nut butter, using a high quality nut butter grinder can greatly improve the ease of working with it, which makes this recipe smoother and more fun by comparison.
If you plan to make this a recurring recipe, having a good citrus juicer at hand can make things easier, ensuring you get every last drop of lemon juice.
I really hope you love these as much as I do! They're such a simple and satisfying way to curb those snack attacks. Let me know in the comments what you think, and if you make any fun changes, I'd love to hear about them! Happy snacking!
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