PaleoCinnamon Spice Plantain Protein bites are made with warm winter spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ground anise. These grain free no bake protein bites are paleo and vegan friendly, too!
What makes a recipe successful? I actually think about that a lot when cooking and/or recipe creating. And you know what? To me, it’s about 3 things.
- Does this recipe benefit someone NUTRITIONALLY?
- Does this recipe make someone WANT to cook/ bake or just feel INSPIRED in the kitchen?
- Does this recipe make you want more (meaning taste)!?
Which is why I created healthy no bake bites in the first place. To be able to fuel myself, my family, and others with nutritionally dense gluten free snacks. And to inspire others to make them for their kids, their loved ones, themselves. They are usually pretty easy to make, simple directions, always gluten free, and oh so tasty!
This month’s flavor has that same purpose and function, but in an extra special way. It’s nourishing for these winter months.
I created this healthy bites flavor using my favorite winter spices. It’s basically cinnamon and spice but we will call them Winter Spice plantain bites. Sound good?
Cinnamon, Clove, Ground Anise – > all healing spices with anti-inflammatory properties. a Which means you can keep that immune system working like a charm!
I also made them grain free (with plantain flour) and added in molasses (for that sweet flavor and a boost in iron).
Time to make some cinnamon spice plantain protein bites!
Here’s the recipe:
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Grain Free Cinnamon and Spice Plantain Bites
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 33-36 1x
Description
Grain Free Cinnamon and spice Healthy protein Bites these ares so great for snacks on the go, pre or post workout, and for kids! and we love the combo of cinnamon and other winter/fall spices. You can use them ANY time of year!
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut or almond flour
- 1/2 cup plantain flour or ground plantain chips. you can also use protein powder instead if you don’t have plantain flour
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 –1/2 cup nut butter of choice
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cloves (ground)
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground anise –> optional. you can use nutmeg instead
- 1/2 tsp butter or vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tbsp molasses
Instructions
- First, grind up your plantain chips.
- Then just mix up dry ingredients and add in nut butter, extract, and, molasses, and honey.
- Mix well, then roll into balls/bites.
- Freeze right away then use Vanilla Protein Powder or use coconut flour/sugar to roll bites in after frozen. Store in fridge or freezer to maintain freshness. Makes around 33-36 bites, give or take.
- NOTE –> if your batter is dry, you might need to add more honey and/or nut butter to keep batter from being to dry.
Notes
recipe by Lindsay at Cotter Crunch
And now comes the “successful” recipe part. I want you all to be able to make these yourself or try them yourself, so I am giving away a batch of Healthy Bites, a $100 gift card to whole foods (thanks to #pathToFit Garmin/Whole Foods) so that you can go buy the ingredients yourself, plus other healthy items and groceries. I’m also going to throw in my Healthy Bites ebook, just for kicks. Sound good?
Thanks for always supporting!
Cheers,
LC
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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As crazy as I go for plantains I’ve never used the flour! They look so, so yummy, and of course super healthy 🙂
Ground anise sounds cozy. I’m pretty familiar with the other two spices. Yummy stuff!!!!
these look yummy! I would love if you included the nutritional facts with your recipes too! Need to make a trip to Whole Foods!
I love that you used plantain flour in this. I eat plantains every morning for breakfast with my eggs. I love them bout have never tried the flour. Pinned!
The new spice I will try this year = cardamom. I never bake with it.
I love plantains–especially plantain chips and tostadas, oooo and maduros. I’m pretty comfortable with anise flavors–I like fennel, mostly cooked–but I haven’t gotten my hands too dirty with star anise yet. I’d like to try out more tumeric applications this year
This year I want to try za’atar, I’ve heard great things but haven’t incorporated it into my cooking!
I have never used plaintain flour before, this is terrific!
My new to me spice is baharat. I adore Middle Eastern flavours and I am excited to give this spice mix a whirl. It’s a fun mix of things that will add a lot of depth to a dish, I think.
This looks so good! I would love to incorporate cloves into my baking this winter!
I just love all of your recipes that you share!!! Keep sharing and inspiring others to eat clean and get healthy.
I rare use all-spice so I want to try to use that more!
I love all the winter spices AND I love how you made your own plantain flour here! Such a great idea!
What spice will I try this year? That’s a hard one since I’ve pretty much tried them all…except LAVENDER! Can never find that one!
I want to try cooking with curry. I’ve had dishes with it but never made anything with it myself.
Plaintain bites?! You’re genius–these look and sound SO GOOD–I want for breakfast.
cant wait to try these friend! Love plantains & in a healthy bite YUMM!!
These look amazing! I’ve never bought anise for home use…I may have to venture out!
These look so tasty! I’ve been reading about tumeric and would like to try that out soon!
these sound delicious. I must try star anise this year… sounds intriguing!
I was given a small tin of Hungarian Paprika for Christmas that I can’t wait to try!
Wow! Plantain flour. Really curious to try this out. I’d like to try a savory adaptation of healthy bites using plantain flour, maybe with some sort of chutney for dipping.
Plantain! I ALWAYS forget about them, must go and buy.
Cinnamon, Clove, Ground Anise – this combo is actually a spicemix for a traditional Swiss Pear&Nut Bread. so SO good!
Maybe more cardamom? I don’t know, I need some new spice ideas
Star Anise looks interesting.
I want to try Saffron, actually have it in the pantry just have to find the right recipe!
oh i love that spice! enjoy jeff
I can attest to your bites being phenomenally delicious! I loved the sampling I got! As for these – I just got some Anise and cannot wait to try this out myself – Anise and cardamom are my spices of the moment 🙂
And Girl – this giveaway absolutely ROCKS! Thank You!!!
oh yay! i knew you’d appreciate these!
I was just telling my new running partner about how you always create these amazing bites with very specific ingredients for specific nutritional reasons. I always love hearing the method behind the madness. I will say, anise scares me a bit b/c of the licorice flavor of it. I do like trying most new spices though!
actually, i had several co workers try these and they didn’t like licorice but they loved these!
new spice? hmm… not new, but i want to experiment more with curry powder!
Definitely fennel! A buddy made fennel crusted potatoes the other night and I was hooked.
Whoa, these look amazing. I love plantains! I am thinking I need to try Anise, Cardamom, and maybe Garam Masala this year.
I’m trying to use turmeric. I bought a jar last year but still haven’t used it!
I’m going to try ginger as I hear it’s good for digestion!
These look delicious! I keep meaning to give plantains a try, but it often falls off my radar. I want to make these though! Thanks for the recipe.
These look amazing! Hmm, new spice… I’ll have to ponder that one.
Yum!!! These look so good and i am adding them to my menu for next week!!
These sound, as always, amazing! Hmmm….on the spices, that’s tough! I have to admit, I have no anise in my cupboards, so maybe that’s the one!
I’d like to spice up my smoothies with cinnamon this year!
I want to try garam masala!
I’d like to use nutmeg more. I always go for the cinnamon and neglect nutmeg!! I’d love to win some yummy healthy bites. Plantains rule.
Oh yum! I’d have to wait until February to eat these, but they are a MUST-MAKE!
Beautiful pictures as always. I love just boiling anise and cinnamon, makes the house smell amazing! I happy to have a plantain in the fridge as we speak!
What a creative combo!! I want to start using fresh nutmeg over dried. I have one-but never take the time to grind it.
Actually, the best thing to do is grate it on a rasp as you need it. Freshly grated nutmeg is super easy and beats out pre-ground stuff any day!
i love the flavor and aroma of garam masala and I want to use more this year. I’m thinking roasted root vegetables as well as some cookies!
I would LOVE to try plantain flour. I bet it is awesome for baking and would be great in cookie, waffles, or pancakes!
it’s the best!!
I disappear for a week and when I come back everyone has fancy new sites! I love your new look almost as much as I love the sound of this recipe, I haven’t had plantains in forever and mixing them with all these spices sounds like a great way to get some back in my belly 🙂
haha i beautified for YOU
LOVE The new blog look and these look simply delicious!! 🙂
i think i’ll have to try anise this year
These are wonderful! Where do you get plantain flour?
you can buy a few different kinds on amazon. I’m hooked!
Love!
New spice… hmm not sure I can think of any but I am sure there are some I haven’t tried so next time I head to the store I will stop by the spice section and pick something up I have never tried before!! Already added to my shopping list for the week!
hmmm new spice, well I have been meaning to use fresh vanilla!
Definitely making these! I have never tried anise before so now I’m going to be trying ground anise for the first time using your recipe!
That is a good question! BTW I like your idea of adding anise to the traditional combo, I must try that asap. I’ve tried many spices, as I like being adventurous with cooking, one combo I haven’t tried yet is black cardamon! I’d like to try your recipe, I’ve been making treats like this, and almond flour (from Bob’s Red Mill) works great. Also, I recently tried adding a touch of molasses to my stir fry sauce and was pleased, I like to try adding it to bites!!!
I don’t know about a new spice – I pretty much use them all BUT I totally forgot molasses is a good source of iron! Will be adding that in.
I have never used plantain flour it sounds interesting! I would like to incorporate a lot more spices in my cooking this year especially for my daughters I think it’s important to try new things!
I love anise. It’s really popular in Slovakia, where my father’s family is from, and it reminds me of my childhood.
I did not know that you can get plantain flour! One of these days – i’m going to win some of those healthy bites of yours – meanwhile, i’ll just have to follow your recipes – which are always fabulous! 🙂
Holy moly these look amazing. Can’t wait to try making them! Love you and your balls 🙂
hmmm… maybe cardamom? i need to branch out!
These look delicious! I always love making my own homemade snacks as opposed to buying bars. I’ve actually never had plantains though! Which everyone always thinks it’s weird since my family is from South America lol. Perhaps I’ll have to try this soon!
I don’t cook much with cardamom…that should be the new spice I try this year! These look delicious 🙂
I’m going to try using more fennel. I love the smell and I love trying new flavors!
More Ginger!!!!
I love the new look and feel of your site! I don’t think I had really checked it out until today. I really want to try and use plantains more, everytime I try I think I do something wrong because I end up making something not good or getting frustrated and just stopping and scraping it. This’ll be the year of the plantain! =)
how are you cooking it? I think it’s best to try them very ripe and soft first. then sautee in butter or coconut butter
Ironically I just decided to pick up some adobo at the store. LOL. Not sure if that counts, I’ve always avoided it.
I think I need more cilantro too (cilnato lime chile shrimp hello!)
now i have an hankering for shrimp and cilantro!
I just want you to know that I’ve been eating that cranberry shrimp cocktail for days now. I keep buying more shrimp! LOL. I just cant get enough, it’s so different and refreshing and bright. I have no idea how you could have thought of that. Brilliant
I feel like I’m wintering in the islands, just returned from a run and now I’m going to eat my Winter Plantain Healthy Bites. Yummy! I am a spice lover- I may have tried everyone under the sun– I do love cardamon, and haven’t used it for awhile, I might dive back into that one.
10 weeks until I can have any balls. Grrrr…
Curry…I am loving it and throwing into soups and on top of everything that I am cooking…I cannot get enough. XOXO
Funny you ask about the spices! I was just emailing Missy about my spice addiction and told her I just ordered MORE because I’m a fiend without any self-control or restraint!
Did you know that JALAPENO POWDER is a thing?!!? I know. I ordered some. I also ordered kaffir lime leaves because apparently Thai is SO much better with the real thing. We’ll see….
Also, I guess banana powder exists too, but I haven’t found it. Yet. I have had pumpkin flour though, and it is fantastic.
Lauren, these sound seriously delish. I’ve got to find some plantain flour! I wonder if I can coax the same flavors out of using fresh plantains? I just might try!! Love these winter spices, they are my fav! 🙂 Pinning!
What a fabulous healthy alternative to truffles! 🙂
CUMIN! I just discovered it recently… and i am obsessed.. i have been putting it on everything!! 🙂
CUMIN! I just discovered it recently… and i am obsessed.. i have been putting it on everything!! :):)
I need to try Rosemary! I keep coming across it!!
Allspice!
Amazing giveaway! Call me naive, but I’ve never tried plantains. I’ve never been compelled to in the past but I LOVE cinnamon so now I want to give these a try! My spice for 2015.. that’s a tough one, but seeing as I have TONS of Chinese 5 Spice sitting in my cupboard, I’m anticipating lots of Asian-inspired creations!
oh my gosh, you need to!! like stat!
You know I need to give you two snaps and a twirl for anything which involves the banana family. Heeeey.
I also adore your focus on nutritionally sound. I for one appreciate it.
Never heard of anise.
Cool.
i’ve been very curious to start cooking with za’atar! new year’s goal? 🙂
These look SO good! I am not sure what spice I will try. Maybe I will experiment with cinnamon more in 2015!?
These sound so tasty I will add a little Cardamom as well. Thank you.
Cinnamon is a tasty spice!
I need to break out the Chinese Five Spice more.. I have no idea what to do with it!
They look gorgeous…Beautiful pictures buddy!
Cinnamon is one of my FAVORITE spices! As far as what new spice I will try this year…ummm. I have no idea. I’m so bad bad in the cooking department 😛
I’d love to cook better for my family, this would be a great win for us! Thank you
Cardamom! I have some whole pods in the spice cabinets in search of the perfect recipe.
I want to use nutmeg more!
Great recipe and amazingggg giveaway- I hope I win!
I am not sure if there is a spice I haven’t tried but I definitely don’t use star anise very often so I will go with that one!
Molasses. I need to try that.
I have a huge container of nutmeg from Christmas baking, so I would love to find more ways to use it!
I’m definitely adding more ginger to my foods this year!
I would say Ginger
NUTMEG AND GINGER…
NUTMEG AND GINGER!!
After reading so much about the health benefits of turmeric, I definitely want to start using it more in my cooking. I also plan to try cooking some Indian dishes at home using garam masala.
I’m off to make your bites now! I’d like to more Ancho Chile powder and smoked paprika this year…both impart such great flavor and kick.
I already love and use cinnamon but now that I keep hearing about the many health benefits, I’m seeing it in a new light. I would like to find more ways to use it. I’ve never tried it in a savory dish and I would love to try adding it to my coffee grounds before brewing.
These look delicious!! Can’t wait to try them out!
You have inspired me to include plantains into my diet; these look so incredibly tasty.
My favorite seasoning is Everything seasoning from FlavorGod.
I’m going to try some 5-spice in my diet this year.
I would love to try Turmeric. Heard a lot about it and really have been wanting to try some new recipes using it.
I plan on trying turmeric and ginger!
I want to start using cinnamon in more savory dishes. My sister made a pork roast the other night with oregano & cinnamon. (and a pineapple salsa) It knocked me OUT.
cumin. I read about it in so many recipes but have never actually used it.
My favorite spices are probably cumin, smoked paprika for savory dishes and ginger and nutmeg for sweet dishes. I’ve been meaning to try cardamom– thanks for the encouragement to try something new!
Ginger!
I am growing a herb garden this spring so One spice I haven’t used is thyme.
I am going to try using chinese 5 spice
What an AWESOME giveaway!!! I would like to give anise a try. I don’t see that in many recipes.
I want to try cardamom!
Maybe I’ll try to use more cilantro.
Maybe I’ll try to use more cilantro!!
I have to get better about trying new spices… I think turmeric is next on my to-try list!
I want to try all spice
I’m a bit of a spice junkie. As in I have way more spices than any person needs hahah. I just finally got my hands on za’atar, but haven’t really used it so that’s one I want to cook with some more!
I may try the anise after seeing it in your recipe. I don’t think I have ever tried it. Link to pin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/413205334536754479/
I’m a cinnamon junkie so I want to try variations of cinnamon because they have so many different types from all over the world! I can’t wait!
I’m going to try cooking with Galangal Root.
I would try cardamon
I love the addition of the molasses! Definitely want to try these!
I have never cooked with cumin so I’d like to try some recipes with that.
These look really good! I think I’ll have to do them for Super Bowl Sunday.
i’m gonna give turmeric a try!
turmeric is my new spice! I put it in smoothies, on veggies, in marinades and sprinkled on oatmeal.
These look excellent (as always!)!
I want to try turmeric.
I need some suggestions. I’ve heard turmeric is great for you.
I want to try turmeric for its health benefits but I’m not sure how!
Do you think I could use coconut butter for the nut butter? I need this to meet Autoimmune Paleo restrictions. These sounds so yummy. 🙂
Depends on the sweetener. Are you using maple syrup or honey?
I can use either. Which would you recommend if using the coconut butter?
I am excited to to try this recipe and have a a few clients that will will also will also like this!
wonderful. Keep me posted Melissa!