Finally, a cookie dough recipe that’s MADE to be eaten as dough!! No baking allowed over here. In literally just FIVE minutes (and really just FIVE main ingredients) you can be eating the most deliciously chewy and sweet oatmeal raisin cookie dough ball! These cookie dough balls are filled with good-for-you, healthy ingredients, but you’d never know. Kid approved, husband approved…and you don’t even have to turn on your oven. Not a fan of raisins? Feel free to substitute chocolate chips instead! These cookie dough bites are meant for everyone!

So, confession. I have a thing for energy bites. (Or energy balls as they are often called). As in….no less than 900 different recipes saved on pinterest. An entire board dedicated to JUST energy bites. I wish I would have somehow saved the energy bite recipes I’ve made before on a separate board, because I have made SO many different combinations!! I’ve probably made close to 100 different recipes, and that is not an exaggeration.

I remember when I first discovered energy bites. It was quite the life-changing moment for me to still remember it so vividly haha. I was a freshman in college and made this recipe. I was seriously blown away at how simple ingredients like peanut butter, peanuts, raisins, and cocoa powder could be transformed into a chewy, gooey, dense chocolate peanut butter cookie. It was so convenient to use just simple ingredients that were stocked in my cooperative house’s kitchen pantry.

Honestly, energy bites are one now of my favorite foods. They are just so versatile…so many different fun flavors, textures, and delicious and appropriate to eat any time of day! Pre-breakfast, with breakfast, afternoon snack, even dessert…so many options.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Bite Ingredients

Just 5 main ingredients:

Oats

Ground flaxseed

Almond butter

Maple syrup

Raisins

Plus pantry staples: cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt!

Ingredients and Substitution ideas:

Oats

Just like with these peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars, I prefer using quick oats in this recipe as I find the smaller oats hold together best. If you only have rolled old fashioned oats, I’d recommend pulsing them a couple times in a blender or food processor until they resemble quick oats.

Ground Flax Seed

Flax seed has so many health benefits! It is a great source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Research has shown that consuming omega-3 fatty acids can lower your risk of heart attack, heart disease, lower cholesterol, and lower your risk of stroke. Flax seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber absorbs water in your intestine, and has been shown to help lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. Insoluble doesn’t absorb with water, but acts as a “bulking agent” helps keep you regular! Oats are also a great source of soluble fiber.

Almond butter

I love the combination of almond butter with raisins. The flavors pair so well together! You could also try substituting cashew butter for the almond butter. You can use peanut butter, but note using peanut butter will result in a very overpowering taste and doesn’t taste like the “oatmeal raisin cookie” taste we are going for here!

Raisins

Obviously necessary in oatmeal raisin cookies (or oatmeal raisin cookie dough)! However, you can most definitely substitute other dried fruit (cranberries, blueberries, chopped dates, apples, etc.) Or throw in a handful of chocolate chips. ? OR you could even use chopped nuts of your choice or shredded coconut! Yum!