Low Cal Peanut Butter Cookie Bites

So I can’t at ALL take credit for this “recipe”.  I started it based on Kristin’s no bake cookie post yesterday, and incorporated the idea of the oat flour from Averie.  I’m sure Katie has made something similar too (with chocolate, of course).  Either way, these mini bites of heaven taste like peanut butter cookie dough with less fat and sugar.

In my mini magic bullet cup, I combined oat flour and dates, then blended away until the mixture started to get thick and clump together.

When attempting to add the peanut butter, I made a wonderful discovery.

So maybe I added a bit less than 1/4 cup of peanut butter – but I had big plans (read: breakfast) for the remaining bits stuck on the side and bottom of the jar.  Who knew I’d ever get so excited for an empty peanut butter jar?! 

I also added some sugar free maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a bit of water.  This was not in the Iowa Girl Eats recipe, but she used ground almonds which I’m assuming would have helped moisten the mixture.  I had to scrape down the side several times to make sure it was well combined.

I can’t decide if I like them more as little round bites…

Or more traditional looking “cookies”.

My tummy didn’t discriminate.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

1/2 cup oat flour (ground from regular quick oats)

6 dates (approximately 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup peanut butter (or a bit less! 😉 I used organic no stir creamy)

2 Tbsp sugar free maple syrup (you can substitute honey, agave, etc)

1.5 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp water (optional)

In a blender/food processor/magic bullet, combine oat flour and dates until you get a uniform mixture that begins to clump together.  Add in peanut butter, syrup, and vanilla – blend several times, scraping down sides to incorporate ingredients evenly.  If the mixture seems too thick, add the water.  Roll into balls (approximately 1 tsp), flatten if desired, and keep refrigerated.  Makes approximately 18 balls.

Approximate nutrition (per ball/bite): 60 calories, 9 g carbs, 2 g fat, 1 g protein

I’m thinking these would be amazing with chocolate chips (duh), or some vanilla protein powder (Katie’s the protein cookie queen) (in place of some of the flour).

In unrelated news, my shellac manicure will not be lasting three weeks.  There’s only 1 chip (on my pointer finger), but the polish is starting to separate from my nails at the corners.  I’ve been so good about not picking the polish off (since I heard it will destroy my nails), but I think I’ll be soaking it off this weekend.  It was only chip free for 6 days.  Bummer!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

PS – Don’t forget to grab your free yogurt coupon from Activia Selects!  I will be reviewing mine next week.

With so many of these “cookie dough” recipes around, what’s your favorite flavor?  Any that you’d like to see a recipe for?