Have you heard of Aussie Bites? They're sort of a cross between a mini muffin and a cookie. With a serious dose of granola bar thrown into the mix. They're a bit sweet, a tad salty, a little crunchy, and oh-so very delicious.
They boast a nice, healthy dose of Omega-3s and fiber, and they also make an incredible grab-and-go breakfast or healthy vegan snack. Basically, they rock.
I've only ever seen them on the shelves at Costco, but after becoming a bit addicted to the store-bought version, I set out to make my own. I checked the list of ingredients: Rolled oats. Butter. Flaxseeds. Coconut. Dried apricots. Raisins, honey, sunflower seeds... I could do this.
I wanted my version to be as healthy as possible, so I swapped the butter for coconut oil. And to keep them vegan, I opted for maple syrup instead of honey.
It took a handful of tries to get these right, but the recipe I settled upon has been a hit among my official taste panel (that would be, um, my toddler, my husband, my sister, my friend, and myself).
This recipe results in about four dozen Aussie bites, so if that's a bit much at one time, just freeze the extras.
Seal them in a zipper bag, put 'em in the freezer, and then pull a couple out and set them on the counter while you're starting your morning coffee. They'll be pretty well thawed and ready to go after just a few minutes.
Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups oat flour*
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ⅓ cup flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup dried apricots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray the cups of a mini-muffin pan with non-stick spray or rub with a little coconut oil**.
- Heat the coconut oil and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until coconut oil has melted. Set aside.
- To the bowl of an 8-cup or larger food processor, add oat flour, oats, and sunflower seeds. Pulse a couple of times until the seeds and oats begin to break up. Add the coconut, flaxseed meal, baking powder, and salt. Pulse to mix.
- Add the raisins and dried apricots and pulse until the apricots are approximately the size of peas.
- Pour the melted coconut oil and maple syrup over the dry ingredients, then pulse just until combined. Transfer to a large bowl and stir well to make sure all ingredients are well-combined. If any of the apricots and raisins stick together in clumps, use your fingers to separate and distribute them throughout the mix.
- Scoop by the heaping tablespoonful into the cups of the mini muffin pan (I use a cookie scoop). With your fingers, press each gently but firmly to pack and flatten.
- Bake for about 12 minutes until set and edges are golden.
- Remove from oven, allowing to cool for about 10 minutes. Use a butter knife to help pop each bite out of its respective tin; carefully remove from tin and place on a wire rack until completely cool and set. They may be fragile until completely cooled.
- Keep at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or freeze in a zipper bag.
Notes
** This recipe yields about 48, and I only have a 24-cup mini-muffin pan, so I bake in two separate batches with no issues. I have also made this recipe using a 4-cup mini food processor instead of a large food processor. I just pulse the items that need chopping or pulverizing as I go, mixing ingredients together in one large bowl.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on January 23, 2014.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
What?! How have I not heard of Aussir bars before? I studied in Australia for a while and never came across these, but I think it's high time I made them!
Kare Troughton says
I'm really not sure if they're authentically Australian - probably not! I've only seen them here in the U.S., and Costco at that. 😉
Ricki says
Wow, do these ever sound amazing! And so easy to put together. Love the apricots. And, of course, I LOVE anything Australian! 😀
Kare Troughton says
Thanks, Ricki! They really are pretty awesome! So convenient to just snap up a couple from the freezer on those fast-paced grab-and-go mornings.
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
How fun are these?! Love that their loaded with so many fun and healthy add-ins!
Kare Troughton says
Fun and they're made in mini muffin tins, so they're naturally cute, too, right?! Ignoring the lumps and bumps of course. 😉
Teresa says
If I wanted to replace the shredded coconut with something else, what would you recommend?
Kare Troughton says
I haven't tried making these without the shredded coconut, but I think they will be just fine without it. I would probably increase the flaxseed meal a bit to help make up for the loss in texture. If you try it, please let us know how they turn out!
Liz says
"Well, the two-year-old munched a bit on hers and then murmured something about Red Car and Mater (her latest obsession is watching Disney’s “Cars mooobie!”); but I’m pretty sure that was code for “I find these vegan Aussie bites to be particularly delectable. Well done!”"
It sounded more like "OMG, Mom, these are SO good they may just make me forget about Red Car and Mater. They might be my next obsession. . ." LOL But, well, you'd know better than me. 😉
Despite having two regular-szied muffin tins, I only ever make my sweet stuff in my mini tins. They're, yes, supercute, and it's built in PORTION CONTROL. 🙂
Kare Troughton says
Hee hee Liz! That's such a great idea to put more than just muffins (or Aussie Bites) in mini tins! Love it. Totally borrowing that idea.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
These Aussie bites look awesome! I love how tiny they are...so much easier for the portion control.
Holly says
Costco moved the location of these gems on me one shopping trip and I had to hunt them down! Now even better to make them at home.
Kare Troughton says
Costco likes to mess with people's heads like that! Or just stop carrying something cold turkey, that's the worst. And then just when you've wrapped your head around the fact that, say, you're not going to be able to get your giant bag of Bob's Red Mill steel-cut oats there anymore, they bring 'em back! Jerks. 😉
Meg @ Beard and Bonnet says
Whoa! I just had an OMG moment when I saw these. I have never had an Aussie bite and now I kind of feel like I have been missing out. Thank you so much for sharing these, I think my taste testing panel would like these too! (My husband, tween daughter, toddler son, and myself)
Kare Troughton says
I was so surprised when I offered one to my two-year-old and said, "do you want a ... um ... a granola muffin?" she looked at it, looked at me, and said, "Aussie bite!" I guess she made enough batches with me to know. 🙂 They're definitely kid-friendly, at least in this house.
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green says
Well it just so happens that mini muffins and cookies are two of my favorite things! Perfect hybrid ;). These look so yummy! And nutritious!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I've never heard of Aussie bites but these would make a perfect snack!
dishing up the dirt says
I don't think my life has been complete until these little bites of heaven. Pinned and making ASAP!
Kare Troughton says
They would be perfect little grab-and-go energy bites for when you're out working all day! 🙂
Robyn B | Modern Day Missus says
Wow, I'm an Aussie and I've never heard of Aussie bites, but they look gooooood! Yum!
Kare Troughton says
I'm thinking they're an American thing. I wish I knew why they were called that, but I have no idea!
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
Ooo these look fabulous! I've never heard of Aussie bites. I am making something similar in my upcoming blog posts, though I will admit my little seed/nut bars are not as healthy! 😉
Ann B. says
OMG are these good! I'm having a hard time not eating all of the raw dough before it's baked! I didn't have enough oats, so used some wheat bran that I had on hand for some of the oat flour. I also added some chia seeds and some pepitas or pumpkin seeds. The taste with the coconut and maple syrup is awesome! So many flavors and textures. I can't wait to eat the finished product (which is baking right now). I had 2 mini muffin tins (24 total), but I still have almost half of my batter left, so will make bigger muffins next. 🙂
Kare Troughton says
Ha, I had the same problem. 🙂 Love your variations - hope you loved them!
Lilli says
Very weird that they're called "Aussie Bites" because we don't have them or anything like them in Australia.
Joanne says
Given how often my mom shops at Costco I am deeply surprised that she hasn't brought these home yet! Oh well. At least now I can make them at home! I love how much nutrition is packed into them!
Letty Flatt says
I pinned this to make later. And I just happen to have 48 mini muffin cups in my cupboard. (I buy them at yard sales when I see them.)
Kare Troughton says
That is so smart to keep an eye out for them at yard sales or thrift shops! I need to add that to my list. They're so handy for so many things.
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate says
You cannot go wrong with granola bites, I love the idea of doing them in mini muffin tins!
Emma says
These look perfect! I've never heard of Aussie bites either but these look like a fancied up version of what we call flapjacks here in England. They were one of my favourite childhood treats 🙂
Kare Troughton says
Okay, I must learn more about English flapjacks. 🙂 Very intrigued!
Kira - HealthAble Old Soul says
I just learned what Aussie Bites are! I am so glad to find something that has great benefits that tastes like a treat! I am defiantly looking into these!
Kare Troughton says
They're a fun alternative to muffins or granola for sure. 🙂 And - yes - at least if they're addictive, they're a *healthy* addiction! 😉
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
I've never heard of Aussie Bites before, but now I'd like to try them (or more specifically, this version of them!) ASAP! The recipe has been bookmarked 🙂
Kare Troughton says
I hope you love them!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Aussie bites? Never heard of them, but they look and sound delicious. I'm addicted to granola bars, so I can see myself easily becoming addicted to these. Love!
Kare Troughton says
They're a great alternative to granola bars - but, yes, very addicting!
Yasmeen | Wandering Spice says
Cute idea! I think the Australian inspiration from these would have come from Anzac biscuits, a beloved and traditional cookie (from WW1) made from rolled oats, golden syrup, coconut etc. So the flavors are similar! Love your vegan version 🙂
Kare Troughton says
That makes sense! Now I'm really wanting to try making Anzac biscuits. 🙂
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
LOL! I love your translation of toddler talk! I remember doing that when my kiddos were little! It's so fun! 🙂
I've never heard of Aussie Bites, and now I know that there was a huge void in my life! These look amazing - you've done well!! I love when I find something delicious and then can recreate it at home. It doesn't happen too often, but when it does … YAY!!!
Kare Troughton says
Hee hee - and they say the craziest things sometimes, so sometimes no translation is necessary because the entertainment value is already at a maximum! 😉 Yes - it's so nice to be able to recreate something at home. And, yes, the best part is that you can customize the heck out of them to make them your own!
trysten says
Did you use raw sunflower seeds?
Kare Troughton says
I use roasted unsalted sunflower seeds, but I think raw would be fine. Good question! I just edited the recipe to clarify. Thanks!