This copycat heavenly hunks recipe will quickly become your new favorite healthy snack! These chewy, oaty bites of goodness are like no bake cookies meets granola bar meets energy bite! They come together in one bowl, in under 10 minutes, and are vegan, gluten-free, & refined sugar-free.
I first tried Heavenly Hunks when I found them at my local Costco. Then, I started seeing them everywhere! Everyone was raving about them on social media, and for good reason. They little oatmeal energy bites are pretty dang heavenly and they make a great grab-and-go snack.
I wanted to create my own version at home to be able to add some extra protein to them. I also sweetened my version with just maple syrup or honey. All you need are a few wholesome ingredients and a few minutes to make them! The oatmeal chocolate chip flavor always caught my eye, so grab your favorite chocolate and let’s make some hunky treats 😉
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Oatmeal bites make a great kid and toddler friendly snack.
- These taste like a mix between a freezer cookie, meets granola bar, meets energy bite! They’re chewy, oaty, and perfectly sweet!
- They are so easy to make, coming together in one bowl in under 10 minutes.
- These energy bites are versatile, so you can switch up the flavors!
- Great for meal prep!
- These oatmeal bites are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and can be made nut-free.
How to make copycat heavenly hunk oatmeal bites
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Small square baking pan (I used a 6×6)
Ingredients & substitutions
- Oatmeal: Old fashioned rolled oats or quick oats will work!
- Protein powder: I use 1/4 of protein powder in this recipe. It just adds a little bit of protein to help balance things out! I highly recommend Macro Mike. I used their cookie dough protein and it made these extra delicious! You can use my code “amb-dani” for a discount!
- Coconut oil: Avocado oil will also work.
- Maple syrup or honey
- Cashew butter: Almond butter & peanut butter also work! Keep in mind peanut butter will add a stronger peanut butter flavor to the recipe. Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- Chocolate chips: I like to use Hu Kitchen chocolate chips. They’re no sugar-added and made with quality ingredients! You can use my code “Danishealthyeats“.
- Pantry staples: Vanilla extract, sea salt
Steps to make copycat heavenly hunks
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients besides the chocolate chips, until well combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Press the mixture into a lined 6×6 baking dish (or loaf pan!), being sure to press it down firmly. Place the pan in the freezer for at least an hour or two.
- Cut the mixture into smaller squares/bite sized pieces. Then add to an air-tight container and store in the freezer.
Heavenly hunks flavor variations
- Birthday cake: Add 1/4 tsp almond extract & sprinkles!
- Carrot cake: Add 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1 tsp cinnamon, & 1/4 tsp nutmeg.
- Peanut butter chocolate chip: Swap the cashew butter for peanut butter.
- Snickerdoodle: Use cashew butter or almond butter & add 1 tbsp coconut sugar & 1/2 tbsp cinnamon.
Tips
- I think these are best straight from the freezer, but you can let them sit out at room-temp for 5 minutes before enjoying for a softer bite.
- Storing heavenly hunks: These store great in an air-tight container in the freezer for a couple months!
- If you don’t want squares, you can also use a small cookie scoop and scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place them in the freezer for 1-2 hours to firm up, before removing them from the pan and storing in a container in the freezer!
More healthy snack recipes to try
- No bake cinnamon rolls
- Peanut butter cheesecake stuffed dates
- Easy frozen yogurt bites
- Healthy almond joys
- No bake cosmic protein brownies
- Oatmeal carrot cake truffles/bites
- Healthy homemade Dilly Bars
Copycat Heavenly Hunks Recipe
Copycat heavenly hunks are chewy, oaty bites of goodness. These little bites come together in one bowl, in under 10 minutes, and make the perfect healthy snack!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats *can sub 1 1/2-1 3/4 cups quick oats
- 2 tbsp nut or seed butter, of choice
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted *or avocado oil
- 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup maple syrup *Can add an extra tbsp if you like sweeter treats
- 3 tbsp plant-based protein powder *See notes about other kinds
- 1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract & good pinch of sea salt
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients besides the chocolate chips, until well combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Press the mixture into a lined 6×6 baking dish (or loaf pan!), being sure to press it down firmly. Place the pan in the freezer for at least an hour or two.
- When the mixture is firm, let it sit out at room temp for 5-10 minutes before cutting them into smaller pieces. This will help prevent the bars from cracking and falling apart.
- After you've cut them, place them in an air-tight container and store in the freezer.
Notes
- Protein powder: I have NOT tried whey or collagen. These absorb differently than plant-based protein powders, so I can’t say how they will affect the texture. I used plant-based pea protein by Macro Mike. You can use my code “amb-dani” for a discount!. If you want to omit the protein, i’d recommend trying to substitute oat flour.
- I think these are best straight from the freezer, but you can let them sit out at room-temp for 5 minutes before enjoying for a softer bite.
- Storing heavenly hunks: These store great in an air-tight container in the freezer for a couple months!
- If you don’t want squares, you can also use a small cookie scoop and scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place them in the freezer for 1-2 hours to firm up, before removing them from the pan and storing in a container in the freezer!
