Panda Bites

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I was going to call this recipe “Panda Balls,” but figured that was a little tacky.  So instead, let’s call them Panda Bites

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I’ve been rolling the idea of Panda Bites around in my mind for a few days.  It’s a super simple recipe – just three ingredients! – an would be a great pre- or post-workout snack.   Now, the key to this recipe is Panda Puffs cereal, but I think other crunchy cereals (or maybe even raw oats, like these Vegan Date Squares?) would work.    However, if you haven’t tried Panda Puffs, get thee to a grocery store ASAP – it’s good!

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Panda Bites

 

Ingredients (yields 14 bites):

 

  • 15 medium-sized pitted dates
  • 1 cup Panda Puffs cereal
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seed nut butter (or other nut butter)

 

Directions:

 

  • Combine dates and cereal in food processor for 10 seconds.  Don’t over mix!
  • Add nut butter and combine for another 20 seconds.  Mixture should be crumbly, not smooth.

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  • Scoop out 1 tablespoon balls and roll tightly in between your hands.
  • Place in sealable dish and refrigerate until ready to eat.  If you’d like them to last longer, freeze ‘em!

 

I had four for breakfast, with lots of fruit. 

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Does anyone else feel like Fall is creepin’ on up?  It’s still hot during the day but it’s getting so cool in the mornings and evenings.  I love it!

{ 61 comments }

 

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) August 16, 2011, 9:33 am

    I definitely feel Fall sneaking in. Our mornings are nice and cool lately- perfect for runs! I wish I could bottle this weather right now and keep it for most of the year. It’s perfect.

    • PR_Cal August 16, 2011, 12:29 pm

      It IS perfect year-round weather! I wish that too.

  • Samantha August 16, 2011, 9:33 am

    Mmm, these look delicious! And perfect timing — I have to go grocery shopping tonight! I know what I’m picking up…

  • Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count August 16, 2011, 9:35 am

    I wish it was cool here (Florida)! It is still 80+ degrees at night! My AC is broken right now…so it is absolutely miserable. Send some cool weather our way!

    P.S. Those Panda “bites” look amazing!

  • Kamaile August 16, 2011, 9:35 am

    I’ve never has panda puffs but will look for these at the store. Um no it’s still 90 degrees at night here in Dallas…hot days and hot nights for another month at least! 🙂

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen August 16, 2011, 9:40 am

    “bites” was definitely the better word choice here 😉
    I might have to try these to use up the sunflower butter that I’m just not digging on it’s own. Maybe it won’t be as bad mixed in something?

  • Khushboo August 16, 2011, 9:41 am

    Panda balls might not have been as appealing 😉

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me August 16, 2011, 9:47 am

    Yum these look tasty. I laughed at Panda Balls.

    Fall is definitely creeping up and I am lovin it!!

  • Meaghan (My Spoonful Of Inspiration) August 16, 2011, 9:49 am

    At first glance, I thought you had meatballs for breakfast! 🙂 I laughed a the name when I saw them. Look delish!

  • Baking N Books August 16, 2011, 9:53 am

    Ugh – I love fall…but everyone is talking about it. I still want summer! 🙁

    Those Panda Bites – what a great idea!! I buy a Maple Sunrise cereal that has little balls in it like the panda bites. I’m going to try these – thanks 🙂

  • Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs August 16, 2011, 9:53 am

    Those look so yummy! I LOVE Panda Puff cereal 🙂

  • Amanda August 16, 2011, 9:53 am

    Fall is on its way! I’ve had my heat on in the car on my way to work yesterday and today!!

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) August 16, 2011, 9:54 am

    I might just stick to calling them Panda Balls in my head because it makes me laugh!

    I’m loving the coolness in the AM and PM, too- amazing!

  • kalli August 16, 2011, 9:54 am

    fall is coming because school is on the way! ugh…. 😉
    i make a similiar ball with just two ingredients. dates and pecans-they are to die for.

  • Chelsea August 16, 2011, 9:57 am

    I looove the cool evening nights 🙂 It makes my night runs so much easier!

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat August 16, 2011, 9:58 am

    Loving these cool nights and the ball craze! 🙂

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats August 16, 2011, 10:01 am

    I immediately sent that recipe to my friend, I knew it was something she’d love!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat August 16, 2011, 10:07 am

    LOL yes I just said the same thing on Kath’s blog! It is definitely beginning to feel fally, but I’m totally not done with summer! I love fall because it means it’s time for pumpkin and butternut squash, but ideally, I’d be satisfied with summer weather year-round. I think I could also eat these panda bites year round and never get sick of them either! 😉 Have a great day Caitlin!

  • cathy August 16, 2011, 10:09 am

    great idea, caitlin! i love panda puffs. they’re right up there with puffins.
    here in southern ontario, i’ve noticed just this past week that the heat and humidity are gone from the early morning hours…i miss it, though! at least we still are getting lots of sunshine and quite hot days!

  • Selena August 16, 2011, 10:13 am

    Make that get to Trader Joes. They are around $2/box there and $5/box at the grocery store here.

    My kids love those things and the Gorilla Munch too. I actually think they’re pretty good too…

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) August 16, 2011, 10:17 am

    Heehee- balls! I love Panda Puffs, but Leaping Lemurs are my favorite!

  • Amanda August 16, 2011, 10:30 am

    You should have called them panda balls because it would have made my day……… they do look tasty though! Sounds like a similar consistency to a Lara ba with the dates and nut butter : D

    • Caitlin August 16, 2011, 12:38 pm

      Yup! They were very larabar ish.

  • Katie August 16, 2011, 10:35 am

    I’m definitely starting to get an itch for fall.

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun August 16, 2011, 10:44 am

    I am ready for fall. If only it didn’t mean an inevitable arrival of winter. And I got Panda Puffs once for M…I think she had one handful and I had the rest. LOL

  • Caitlin @ The Caitie Experiment August 16, 2011, 10:48 am

    It’s been really cold, rainy and windy here in Boston for the past few days — it was with a great mix of anticipation and sorrow that I shrugged in to my jean jacket on the way to work this morning! On the flip side, the bf and I snatched up two of the BEST reasons to look forward to fall when we spotted them on the shelves last night: Sam Adams Octoberfest and Harpoon Pumpkin beer! I’m convinced it will help cure the summertime blues 😉

  • Amy Thomas August 16, 2011, 10:48 am

    Fall is creeping in in Cincy as well. Cool mornings, but warm days. The evenings are great as well. Sad that summer is over! But I’m excited about all the things fall brings — caramel apples, hot chocolate, chili, football, campfires, smores . . .

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife August 16, 2011, 10:50 am

    mmmm that sounds delicious!

    I like trying new recipes too, especially if it involves a nut butter. Heh 🙂

  • Kelly August 16, 2011, 10:52 am

    I definitely don’t feel fall. I am in Texas and we are having the worst heat wave in over 10 years. It hits 100 degrees easily by 10:00m and then soars to between 104-107 throughout the day. We don’t hit 99 until usually around 8:00pm. It is sick. We are going on over 60 straight days of over 100 degree temperatures and almost 90 days without measurable rainfall. It is really really bad. Last night there was a fire a few neighborhoods over from me in which 7 house were completey destroyed. It is just so sad.

    • Caitlin August 16, 2011, 12:37 pm

      that is terrible! **Sending rain vibes**

  • Tricia August 16, 2011, 10:59 am

    Eeee! Fall is my favorite 🙂

  • Jen August 16, 2011, 11:02 am

    Ah, I love Panda Puffs! Awesome idea. And yes, fall is creeping up! I’m excited! Fall and winter are my favorite seasons.

  • mi-an d. August 16, 2011, 11:05 am

    i still have to get me some panda puffs!! :)) but these look good! i don’t want summer to end! i’m in cali so we don’t really have a winter but more like fall…i still like it but nothin like summer!

  • Penny August 16, 2011, 11:06 am

    Very simple, creative recipe. Love it. Going to give it a try.

    I don’t think there is anything wrong with “Panda Balls”. 🙂 it’s fun to have fun. 🙂

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over August 16, 2011, 11:12 am

    I can’t wait for autumn! My favourite time of the year 🙂

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) August 16, 2011, 11:19 am

    Definitely sneaking up, but I don’t mind! Still have a few months before the leaves start to fall and all is lost!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed August 16, 2011, 11:32 am

    It definitely feels like fall here in PA today! I love fall and the cooler temps, but I still have a beach vacation coming up, so I’m not quite ready yet!

  • Mary August 16, 2011, 11:39 am

    Yes! and i’m SO excited about the weather change in NC!

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ August 16, 2011, 11:47 am

    It’s even cold here in pa during the day this week! It was 65 at 10 am this morning! To me that is totally fall not summer! I don’t mind though! There is something wonderful about fall and I am kind of excited fir it to be here! Maybe school? I miss my kids and their shenanigans at school haha. Panda balls (yes I like that name!) sound awede!! Wegmans started making a generic version called peanut butter POWs and I crush them up and put them in chocolate oikos or ice cream quite frequently. It’s pretty awesome 🙂

    • Caitlin August 16, 2011, 12:36 pm

      Oh yum w/ chocolate oikos!

  • Mike Lieberman August 16, 2011, 11:49 am

    Nice and simple. Can likely substitute out the cereal for some raw or roasted nuts and seeds. Too bad dates just went out of season here in LA. Will def have to try this.

  • Amber K August 16, 2011, 12:24 pm

    Considering summer never came in Oregon, I don’t think I’m quite ready for fall. Although I definitely like that we didn’t have to buy an air conditioner!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin August 16, 2011, 12:36 pm

    It’s still super hot during the day, but I love that the nights and mornings are getting cooler. It makes it so much easier to sleep at night! 😛

  • Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats August 16, 2011, 12:45 pm

    Panda Puffs=little self control in this household. Have you ever tried the Leapin’ Lemurs? They are so good! 🙂

    • Caitlin August 16, 2011, 1:13 pm

      Have you tried Gorilla Munch? They are all good!

  • Jill August 16, 2011, 12:46 pm

    Yum! I am always looking for new “ball” recipes. They are such a great snack any time of the day. Thanks for sharing!

  • Ami@dashofcurry.com August 16, 2011, 1:16 pm

    Those balls (giggle) are a great way to use up leftover cereal! I usually get sick of a cereal half-way through the box but don’t want to buy another one until it’s all gone. Now I know what to do with it to use the box faster!

  • Brittany August 16, 2011, 2:51 pm

    These look so good, I’m always looking for good pre-workout snacks. I can’t wait for fall!

  • Tropical Eats August 16, 2011, 9:18 pm

    crackedddd up reading Panda Balls this morning at work.

    you da bomb.

    so excited for fall!!!

  • Emily @ Comfortable Home Life August 16, 2011, 9:54 pm

    I AM SO EXCITED FOR FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My head just exploded with excitement for 1. fall 2. Panda B’s (because I want to call them balls but you insisted on bites 🙂

  • ashley @ ashley's adventures in alaska August 16, 2011, 11:05 pm

    Fall isn’t creeping up on Alaska… it’s full on running at us. Summer is coming to a close, which is evident in the shorter days (I actually see darkness now!) the silver salmon showing up in streams nearby, the fireweed blooming, and the baby eagles learning to fly and baby moose walking confidently around town. In a few weeks, we’ll begin having our first frosts of the year.

  • Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine August 17, 2011, 3:15 am

    I’ve never had Panda Puffs, but I think the box is ridiculously cute! Every time I see it in the store, I can’t help but let out a stereotypical, girly “Awwwwwhhh.”

    Typical, I know 🙂

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) August 24, 2011, 12:17 am

    Panda bites look good!

  • Lydia (@InhabitTheBeauty) August 24, 2011, 12:33 pm

    Do you buy dates in the produce section of a grocery store? Isn’t it awful that I have no idea where dates might be located!

    • Caitlin August 24, 2011, 12:35 pm

      It’s not awful 🙂 You can get them near the raisins or sometimes they have fresher dates in the produce section.

  • Sam August 25, 2011, 7:11 am

    Cool idea! I actually picked up my first box yesterday and I love them! Like organic corn pops. This looks like a fun way to use them, and I have all the ingredients!

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