If you love thin mint girl scout cookies, you’ll love the taste of these thin mint healthy energy bites. A bit of nostalgia all wrapped up with a healthy dose of energy!
I was never a girl scout, but man did I love a good thin mint cookie….straight from the freezer! Who was my mom fooling putting them in the freezer? I could easily polish off a whole sleeve…and just loved the minty aftertaste. Or was it the chocolate flavor that lingered? Either way, thin mints are food nostalgia on steroids for me.
Now that I look at food as a way to nourish and fuel me, it doesn’t mean I don’t still indulge in tastes that soothe my cravings. I just have to be a bit creative to take care of both. Thin mint healthy energy bites are the perfect mix of nutritious and delicious with a side of sentimentality thrown in.
I quit drinking coffee years ago when I discovered it was one of the culprits of my IBD. Truthfully, it was such a hard habit to kick, I’m not sure I’d ever go back. I love the health benefits of green tea and when I need little caffeine pick me up I opt for a matcha.
Hubby wants a fancy coffee machine for our new kitchen—odd, since neither of us drink coffee….but I’m always down for a matcha or chai latte. I’m thinking a new milk frother may be all we need.
Ah, but I digress, I want to tout the many health benefits of matcha (which is one of the ingredients of these thin mint energy bites). Matcha is a type of green tea made by taking young tea leaves and grinding them into a bright green powder. The powder is then whisked with hot water—different from regular green tea, where the leaves are infused in water.
Some health benefits of Matcha
- High in antioxidants, including cancer fighting EGCG
- Protects liver health
- Detoxifies effectively and naturally
- Boosts brain function
- Boosts metabolism and burns calories
- Rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins
- Enhances mood
- Calms the mind and relaxes the body.
Healthy Energy Bites
These thin mint healthy energy bites are loaded with nutrition in ways that help stabilize energy so it’s more constant than spiked. Oatmeal is a gluten-free source of fiber and antioxidants. Nut butter gives protein (and you could sub sunflower butter if allergies are an issue), to help slow down absorption and keep your hunger at bay longer. There’s plenty more fiber and in the flax to help keep digestion and elimination regular, plus more protein, healthy fats and essential fatty acids. When you’re on a mission to make all that you eat count for something, these are the perfect little bites that add up to a whole lot.
When I go to the gym super early in the morning, I often don’t have the time for a proper breakfast, but I don’t like to go on a totally empty stomach…especially if I’m going to do some weight training. Sometimes I’ll take a half a banana, or, if my freezer is well stocked, maybe a bliss ball or a small trail mix bar. These thin mint healthy energy bites are already becoming my new favorite go to. Before the gym, after the gym, as an afternoon snack, as a grab and go breakfast treat…..you get the idea, it’s a good option all the time….because who doesn’t need an energy boost once in awhile?
In other (exciting and good) news, the cabinets and appliances are going into my kitchen THIS WEEK!!! Yes, the finish line is in sight! In the meantime, I continue to appreciate the beautiful kitchens of generous friends who share. Make sure to check out my Instagram stories for all the action and look for a post soon with the before and after story.
📖 Recipe
Thin Mint Healthy Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 small banana
- ⅓ cup nut butter creamy
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon mint extract
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves*
- 2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 2 teaspoons matcha powder
- ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chunks or 1 ½ 3oz bars rough chopped
Instructions
- Grind everything BUT chocolate in food processor until a dough forms. If dough is too sticky to work with, add additional flax 1 Tablespoon at a time. Then, pulse the chocolate into the mixture.
- Roll dough into small balls (I usually make mine a bit smaller than a ping-pong ball), and then dust with ground nuts, seeds or topping of choice.
- Store in air tight container in the fridge for a week or up to three months (if they last that long) in the freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.
Carmy
I love thin mints – I can eat a whole box of them in one go! I’m so excited for this healthy energy bite version since it means I can feel a little less guilty about devouring all of them haha. Would you recommend substituting honey for maple syrup? I have almost everything in my pantry except for maple syrup.
Gloria
Hubby and I are seriously making healthy eating a GOOD HABIT. These sound delicious and would be perfect for that snack impulse. Also, we could pack these for our hikes too. Love the flavour combinaiton…always a winner.
Sarah
First of all- YES, thin mints straight from the freezer were like.. the best thing ever! And also, have you tried chocolate mint?! (The plant.) Omg it tastes like thin mints! But no calories! And I just bought some matcha, so this looks perfect– YUM.
Debra Klein
I haven’t tried the chocolate mint….but I really love fresh spearmint tea…I may have to seek out a chocolate mint plant, could be my new nighttime jam!
Jennifer Bigler
You had me at thin mint, but then the benefits just got better and better. I am a busy mom and these are exactly what I need to keep me from getting hangry and making bad choices throughout the day.
Debra Klein
You said it well….having healthy snacks is key to not getting hangry!
Lisa
I’m a super-early gym person too — and I need a quick bite before running out the door. Usually I just split a banana with my husband, but I know he’d appreciate these healthy, minty bites. I’ve heard a lot of good things about matcha — but have never actually found matcha powder at my grocery store. Where do you buy yours?
Debra Klein
These are so perfect for pre-gym. Hubby will definitely appreciate them. I usually buy my matcha online, but you can get some at many super markets as well as coffee/tea shops.
Dana
I love making my own energy snacks! The flavors here are totally awesome. I love the idea of mint and matcha!
Debra Klein
The mint is so refreshing and the matcha adds to the energy boost! Enjoy.
Tracy Koslicki
YES! Thin mints in the freezer! Oh man doesn’t it seem like the packages are getting smaller and smaller? We make our own copycat thin mints, but they’re a bit of work. I LOVE how easy these look with all of the thin mint deliciousness reward! I know what I’m making next time to fill the craving!!
Debra Klein
So glad it’s not just me on that smaller packaging thought!! Like you said, these are super easy and what a great treat!
Amanda
I hear you on the coffee and IBD. I have Crohn’s and caffeinated coffee has been entirely off my list for almost 20 years. I can enjoy the occasional cup of decaf, but not often. I do love matcha powder, though! As a former (many, many years ago) Girl Scout, I think these Thin Mint Bites will be a great snack, and flavor trip down memory lane!
Marisa Franca
I reallly need to make up a batch of these. Sometimes I just don’t take the time for lunch and I need a pick-me-up. I love coffee and I’ve become sensitive to caffine. So in the morning I drink tea and although I like green tea to me it lacks taste for my 1st morning drink. I bought some matcha powder but I haven’t known what to do with it. Your recipe for Think Mind Bites sounds great.