Salted Cashew Energy Bites with Cranberries
These Salted Cashew Energy Bites with Cranberries are an irresistible combination of sweet and salty! They’re filled with oats and have a touch of maple.
Last Thursday I picked Julia up from school, not knowing that an hour later would be one of the scariest moments of my life. Earlier in the day, I had made these cashew energy bites and was hoping that the kids would like them so they could go in their lunchboxes. Thank goodness I didn’t put one of these in Julia’s lunch without first having her try it at home.
She took two small bites and almost immediately started trying to spit it out. The next thing I knew, she was having a pretty major allergic reaction. I gave her Benadryl right away, but when her symptoms worsened I called 911. The paramedics came, and at that point we decided she was out of the woods and we’d just monitor her at home. Looking back, we probably should have taken her to the ER due to the risk of a second reaction. I’m just so glad that she is ok now.
Before last Thursday, I never knew that Julia had any food allergies. Apparently she’s allergic to cashews and most likely pistachios as well. I’ve done some reading and people are often allergic to both because the two nuts are closely related. Years ago, she may have had a minor reaction to pistachios which we didn’t recognize as such at the time.
She’s never liked nuts or wanted to eat them, except for almond butter, and now I’m wondering if it’s even safe to give that to her. Maybe her dislike was her intuitive sense that she’s allergic?
I hope my little girl never has to go through a reaction like that again. Just in case, we now have an epipen prescribed for her. Hopefully we’ll never have to use it, but I’m glad we have it.
Food allergies are so scary, and make everyday activities like birthday parties and school events more complicated. We have an appointment with the allergy clinic, so I guess we’ll know more about exactly what nuts she’s allergic to and the severity soon.
So while these Salted Cashew Energy Bites are delicious, I won’t be making them again anytime soon. They’re a reminder of one of the scariest times I’ve had with one of my kids.
Assuming you have no cashew allergy, I think you’d love these. They’re really easy to make in your food processor (I’ve included a step by step video below).
While you’re at it, give my Apple Cinnamon Cookie Energy Bites a try as well. They’re packed with fresh apple, almond butter, and cinnamon.
Sea salt, plus a bit of maple syrup and vanilla bring out the flavors in these cashew cranberry energy bites. They’re a convenient make ahead snack that’s both vegan and gluten free. You’ll find it hard to stop at just one!
Why You’ll Love These Cashew Energy Bites:
- Cashews (and other nuts) have many health benefits, including providing vitamins and minerals and controlling blood sugar. Cashews are rich in copper, protein, and fiber.
- The sweet-salty flavor of these cashew energy bites is irresistible. It’s like eating a healthy no-bake cashew cookie!
- These energy bites are an easy snack that you can make ahead for busy days.
We make these other favorite snacks all the time! I think you’ll love them, too!
Apple Cinnamon Cookie Energy Bites
Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Salted Cashew Energy Bites with Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, divided
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned oats, divided (use certified gluten free if needed)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Place 3/4 cup of the cashews in a food processor and process until nut butter forms, about 7 minutes.
- Scrape down the sides of the food processor bowl, and add the maple syrup, vanilla, and sea salt. Process until incorporated, scraping down the sides and bottom of the food processor bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Add 1 cup of the oats, the remaining ¼ cup cashews, and the dried cranberries. Pulse in 12 short pulses to chop and combine.
- Transfer mixture to a bowl and use your hands or a spoon to mix in the remaining ¼ cup oats.
- With slightly wet hands, shape 1 tablespoon portions of dough into balls. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Oh my gosh! That must have been so scary and I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Kristine! So glad to hear that Julia is doing better now. Hopefully that won’t happen again!
Now about these bites. I seriously have ALL the ingredients to make these in my pantry right now, so I’m thinking these are happening today! Love the sweet ‘n’ salty flavors!
Thank you, Sarah! It sure was scary, and I’ll be glad once we’ve done the allergy testing and have more answers.
I think you’d love these energy bites!
Wow, sounds like you had quite a scare! I’m so glad that your daughter is better and that you at least caught her allergy at home. I am loving these bites! Such a great idea to add cashews and cranberries. Such a delicious combo!
Thank you, Gayle! I think you’d love these energy bites!
These energy bites are SO perfect for summer craziness! I am so sorry to hear about Julia! We don’t have any food allergies that I know of, but my girls have both had allergic reactions to other things. My oldest girl is somewhat allergic to cats (we’re pretty sure that’s what it is!), but we still have two! If she is holding them and rubbing them around her face, she’ll get a rash and itchy eyes and we give her some antihistamines and then she clears up. Our littlest girl had some crazy reaction on her hands and feet to something she was touching in our house, and we never found out what it was! We took her to the doctor, but it just slowly went away, and now we still don’t know. It’s so scary to think she might come in contact with it later and have a more serious reaction! Anyway, I’m so glad to hear she’s okay and you know what to avoid to keep her safe!
That is scary when you can’t figure out what’s causing the reaction! I hope your little girl doesn’t react like that again. Allergic reactions, whether to food or something else, can be so scary!
I’m SO sorry you and Julia had to go through that — that must’ve been so scary and I’m glad you with her when it happened! We have no nut allergies here, and I know these would be a huge hit!
Thank you, Marcie! I’m so glad I was with her, too!
These energy bites look delicious! I love how there are only 6 ingredients- so easy to whip up in the midst of a busy spring 🙂
Thanks, Medha! Yes, a short ingredient list is a major plus!
Quick, healthy, and tastes like a cookie?! Oh heck YES, sign me up! I’ve got to try these little balls of deliciousness.
You do! Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
Yup, any food allergy is quite a terrifying thing to deal with. Indeed, I’ve never heard of people being allergic to cashew before – not that common thing. I do love cashews, and paired with cranberries, oats, and maple syrup, this combo sounds fantastic to me!
It seems that more and more people are having allergies to foods these days. I thought I was in the clear with my kids but apparently not. 🙁 Thank you for your kind words!
I love the sweet and salty taste mix! Yummy and healthy bites 🙂
Thank you, Agnieszka! These bites are pretty addicting!
Oh my gosh, that’s so scary! I’m glad that she’s okay, Kristine, but I can only imagine how much of a scare that was for your family. On the bright side, these little bites do look delicious and I always have everything to make them on hand!
Thank you, Danielle! I think you’d love these bites! They are addicting. 🙂
Oh no! I hate that your daughter is having allergy problems! I’ve recently developed a problem with peanuts – and it’s no fun 🙁 Hope you get things straightened out!
These energy bites are genius – I love that you made your own nut butter, then form the balls.
Thanks, Megan! Food allergies can be so scary! I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a problem with peanuts. 🙁
Oh, Kristine, I’m SO sorry! Cashews were the way we found out about my little guy’s tree nut allergy. It’s so scary to have that happen for the first time! Feel free to email me at any time if you have questions. Great job on the video, it’s really well done.
Thanks, Kelly! I will definitely email if I have questions. You are so thoughtful. 🙂
Oh my goodness that’s so scary! Good thing you tried them at home first, that’s awful. I’m lucky my kids don’t have any allergies (that we know of) but I can certainly imagine how scary it would be if one of them reacted to something. Glad she’s okay! These energy bites do look amazing though, for those of us that can eat cashews! 🙂
Thank you, Stacey! This was our first experience with food allergies with our kids. I think you’d love these energy bites!
I totally know how you feel! My little lady is allergic to cinnamon and when we found out, it was basically the single most scary moment of her little life. At least now you know! Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t it so scary when our little ones have a reaction like that? I’m so glad your little girl is ok. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
these sound super yummy … any chance you would know how to substitute OUT the oats ?? I’m non-grain these days … what might work as a good substitue? thanks in advance. !
Oats are a key ingredient in this recipe, and I haven’t tested these bites with substitutions. You would have to do some experimenting, perhaps with coconut flour.
What if I don’t have a food processor? Is there another way to mash it up?
If you don’t have a food processor, you can use cashew butter instead of processing the cashews. I’d start with 1/2 cup (to replace the 3/4 cup of cashews that you would process). Then mix everything together by hand in a bowl.
If I don’t have a food processor, can I mash it up some other way?
Sorry I didn’t think I had posted my other comment. Thank you!
I made these and they’re totally delicious. Reminded me of an oatmeal raisin cookie, but with craisins instead. Yummy!
I’m so glad you liked these, Sharice! Thank you for taking the time to comment to let me know. 🙂
Hi Kristine, I used fresh chopped cranberries. The bites are super delicious! With the cranberry juice all infused mmm thank you for this easy peasy recipe.
Yum, that sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed these!
These have become my go to snack when I just need a little something or something sweet. I LOVE them, thanks so much for the recipe. I’m going to try the apple recipe next!
I love these, too, Carol! I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying them! Lately I’ve been making them with almonds instead of cashews. 🙂
Very easy to make very yummy very healthy and there are big hit will make again?
I’m glad you liked them, Susie!
Just made these exactly as recipe given. These were super easy and taste GREAT! At first I was wondering about using already made cashew butter because of the 7 minutes of processing, but now I’m glad I didn’t – I can see they would have been too liquidified. Love the sweet and salty with the sea salt! Sorry about your daughter, glad she is okay.
I love these energy bites, I can eat them with no guilt. I have also tried them using half cashews and half almonds with almond extract and also dried blueberries in place of cranberries. The almonds give them a little more crunch.
I like to make these with almonds, too, now that we know my daughter is allergic to cashews. Your substitutions sound delicious!
Do you have a food value chart for the No Bake Salted Cashew Protein Bites?
I just updated the post to add nutrition information. Enjoy!
These were really good, as soon as I saw the recipe I knew I just has to make them. Of course being familiar with energy bites I made my own additions and substitution (at least two) I did substitute 1 cup cashews for 3/4 cup cashews and 1/4 cup almonds and the cranberries for what I had on hand, dried cherries. All in all a very versatile and delicious recipe.
Hi! I made these and they were SO GOOD! I was wondering if I could include a link to this recipe on one of my blog posts for my favorite healthy snack recipes. I just wanted to ask your permission before doing anything. Thank you. 🙂
Hi! I made these and they were SO GOOD! I was wondering if I could include a link to this recipe on one of my blog posts (desserts4thebetter.wordpress.com) for my favorite healthy snack recipes. I just wanted to ask your permission before doing anything. Thank you. ?
I’m glad you enjoyed them! Yes, you can include a link as long as you don’t reprint the recipe. Thanks for asking!