Gluten-free energy bites are great for runners! These 9 energy snack bite recipes provide natural energy to fuel you for a run or even sustain you after! Runners and all active folk out there need to be properly fueled in order to maintain endurance and perform well. It can be tough to get all the right nutrients and calories you need, but don’t worry, these 9 gluten free energy bites recipes are full of healthy gluten free carbs and natural sugars. And they are TASTY!
Long long ago I started a gluten-free energy bites business. Okay, it was 2008, but in internet world that’s LONG! You can read my story about why I started this business here, but to sum it up…
My husband was a lean, mean triathlon training machine. I had recently been prescribed a gluten free diet. And there were no quality gluten free snacks or FUEL that we could eat before, after, or during training. The bars would either melt, taste like chalk, or be packed full of ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. Ya, not good.
So I started making him (and myself) healthy snack bites and then more kids and athletes started requesting custom made bites for food allergies, intolerances, etc. Which leads me to NOW. Still making them, just locally only (for now).
And because I cannot ship to everyone (yet), I decided to make a few ebooks and create recipes for my healthy bites. It’s only fair, right? But with each bite recipe comes a purpose.
Which gluten-free energy bites are best used for what activity and when?
I get this question a lot! So today I thought I’d share my favorite ENERGY Healthy Bites recipes that are great for endurance athletes (like runners). I also recruited 6 other gluten free snack bite recipes from some pretty amazing food bloggers.
Each recipe is packed with healthy nutrients, natural sugars, gluten free carbs, and quality ingredients! Perfect snacks for pre run, during long runs, or even after!
Let’s get started, shall we?
Cinnamon Spice Plantain Energy Bites
These grain free bites are actually paleo friendly! They have a dried banana chip and plantain flour base that serve as your carbs. The cinnamon and other spices really help balance out the flavor and add in anti-inflammatory properties! Sweetened with honey and molasses —> YUM!
Matcha Lucky Bites!
I know what you’re thinking, green bites? But yes, these bites will bring you lots of luck and nourishment. Made with green matcha powder and ground almonds plus vanilla mint! Matcha is great ingredient for runners because it contains L-Theanine. L-Theanine can help with the production of dopamine and serotonin and therefore help balance sleep/wake cycles, naturally. Oh and these two chemicals can also improve mood and concentration. That definitely helps when your are in training or needing that mental focus to get through the run.
Banana bread Bites!
I love using dried banana, honey, almond butter, coconut flour! Such power combo for runners. Full of omegas, protein, potassium, and natural sugars/carbs. These would be great fuel 30 minutes to an hour before a run or even after a run for a quick recovery snack! Just take out that bourbon. Tee hee!
Note –> You can make all of these gluten-free energy bites recipes nut free by subbing out the nut butters and nuts for sunflower seeds, and just use coconut flour or protein powder. PERFECTO!
Speaking of… here’s a great nut free energy bites recipe to try!
Cranberry Sunflower Seed Bites, from Katie.
Love the look of these! And bonus because it has a little extra protein!
Let’s continue with the cranberry love.
Taylor’s Cranberry Orange Energy bites – Paleo friendly.
She uses dates and cranberries at the natural carbs/sugar. These would be great mid run fuel!
Switching up our fruit now, let’s talk apples! Apples are great source of carbs and a flavonoid called quercetin. Quercetin is pretty packed with antioxidants, and these antioxidants fight against free radicals. The free radicals that happen during workouts, running, stress, etc. Needless to say, apples can really HEAL the runner’s body.
Here are two apple flavored snack bites you must try!
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Energy bites, from Brianne
Love how simple these are and nut free, dairy free, gluten free.
Apple Almond Energy Bites, from Melissa
Another simple ingredient snack bite recipe, with hemp hearts for healthy fats!
These last two gluten-free energy bites recipes are great for runners, because they contain power chocolate and/or cocoa powder.
Yes, you heard me. Runners need chocolate! Haha. Actually dark chocolate and cocoa powder are considered a superfood due to their powerful antioxidant properties. Plus, cocoa can help with gut flora. Remember these chocolate gut loving bites?
So without further ado. Chocolate bites!
No Bake Almond Joy Bites, from Liz
Love that she added in salt, more minerals we need as runners!
Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Bites, from Gina
What a powerhouse flavor and packed with nutrients! These gluten-free energy bites would actually be great an hour or so before a long run with a cup of coffee, yes?
I may not be training for any runs these days, but I will for sure be making these gluten-free energy bites! Because, let’s face it, life is one big marathon anyway!
Okay I’m ending with that Corny Cotter comment.
[Tweet “9 #glutenfree energy bites that are great FUEL for runners and athletes! #fitfluential #runchat”]
What’s your favorite energy bite combo? What do you use it for?
Cheers!
I love making these a day before my tough mudder races. My whole team loves eating these and they are a great energy booster during the races. I am like the mom of the team now. I keep my whole team fed with energy.
that’s awesome! You must be the sherpa of the group, yes?
I need more of your bites in my life. We need to make that happen, and I’ll make you some gluten free granola.
I must confess. My bites have already disappeared.
I think one of my favorite energy bite combos, is cashew butter, cranberries, and dark chocolate chips! So yummy in trail mix and energy bites!
I bet these would be good for CrossFitters, too!
you know it! Crossfitters and running so hand in hand anyway!
I have a crazy adventure friend who is always after gluten free energy snacks. He;s going to LOVE me when I send this to him!
oh yay! let me know if he tries any!
Please send them all to me now! 🙂
Good thing I have a big bag of apples that I picked up from TJ’s for $4.99. I had no idea that apples were so good for runners…You learn something new everyday! Thanks Crazy Cotter!
I think I might have to devote my entire weekend to eating only energy bites, because they all look INSANE. Thanks for including me lady! xoxo!
So many tasty looking bites here! The apple almond ones sound amazing, it’s like my afternoon snack made into bite-form!
So much goodness in one post! Energy bites are pretty much my favourite snack EVER, and I almost always have a batch on hand to snack on… even if I’m not running 😉 I’m not sure about favourite combo, but it usually has to involve chocolate in some form!
I love energy bites! There’s so many ways to be creative. I love mine with peanut butter, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and honey!
Are they still healthy if I eat all the bites? They all look so good!
I can never get enough balls. I think I’ll make a bunch today for Vegas and me. Friday feels like a good day for balls. #twss
AWESOME roundup. I have been looking for something that doesn’t use oats. Can’t wait to dig into these recipes!
Haha! Life is one big marathon! Love your humor friend!
I’ve been fortunate to try a variety of your bites and lady – they so rock! I am partial to bananas and nuts – in bite form even more so than in bread form! Awesome roundup!
So like I told you, I made bites for the first time yesterday! OMG! That’s it….there is no going back to store-bought protein bars!
Definitely the Almond Joy bites! I could eat an Almond Joy bar everyday… but the bite is a nice compromise 🙂
I really miss the bites you made me! They were nothing like I have ever tasted before – but I have no clue what the recipe was. Ha!
I love all sorts of bites!! Typically any that have little pieces of fruit or coconut are my faves 🙂
I want to make them all! Starting with the cranberry sunflower seed bites.
I def got my eye on the banana nut muffin chia bites! Banana nut muffins are my favorite!
What an awesome collection of gluten free energy bites! Lovely share!
The plantain bites have me excited! Thanks for the great round up. 🙂
My fav combo is usually dates, cocoa and PB, sometimes coconut mixed in too. I often eat them as an after dinner treat with tea.
Maybe you should send me a sample of each before I pick a fav?! 😉 Happy Friday!
How perfect with marathon training right around the corner for many people (me included!) i will definitely be checking these out!
yum! These all sound delicious, and your business is a great idea and such a nice service. Pinned!
I am so excited to see this round-up and there are several I want to try. Thank you for including my Sunflower Seed Protein Balls. Pinning!
I want to eat all of these before I do the Great Scottish Run in October!
gosh your bites always look SO good!!! i want all of them all the time!! i’m pretty sure i could live off them..
Definitely not a runner but I’m game for all these- Especially all the bites!
well me too, unless it’s sprinting to my car. LOL! can you make campfire bites next? How genius would that be? s’mores!!
I want all of these all of the time, not just for running 🙂
In my mind, gingerbread should be year round. Love it. Also, these days, doing anything for longer than about 6 months is a feat. I think we’ve just switched to dog years without knowing it.
Great list Lindsay! Sharing with the RC community 🙂
now we just need a sample of all, yes? haha
even though i am not running lately, i could certainly eat some of these from there 🙂 sharing on my fb
haha me too! but there are so many people that do run, so we can make and eat and share with all! yes?