Who here hasn’t snagged those addictive Aussie bites from Costco, right? They’re like the ultimate win-win: delicious enough to please the pickiest eaters and packed with nutritious ingredients that make moms feel like superheroes. Well, guess what? You can whip up your very own batch of these tasty treats right at home. Perfect for those crazy mornings, a sweet little surprise in lunchboxes, or just the right pick-me-up with your afternoon tea or coffee. The best part? They’re super simple to make, no chef’s hat required. So, let’s dive into making these delightful bites that are about to give your usual Costco run a run for its money.
If you love munching on healthy snacks – that don’t necessarily taste healthy – you’ve got to make our muffins and homemade granola!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy and ready in just about 30 minutes.
- Packed with whole grains, seeds, and dried fruits for a nutrient boost.
- Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a wholesome dessert option.
- Freezer-friendly so you can make a big batch and freeze for later use.
Aussie Bites Recipe
Aussie Bites have a chewy and slightly crispy texture, thanks to the combination of oats, quinoa, and dried fruits. They are slightly sweet from the combination of honey, coconut, and apricots. The bites are satisfying and filling, making them a great on-the-go snack option for both adults and children and a great breakfast.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Rolled Oats: Provide a hearty base and fiber. Quick oats can be used in a pinch, though the texture will differ slightly. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- Dried Apricots and Raisins: Offer natural sweetness and chewiness. Feel free to substitute with any dried fruit like cranberries or dates, but don’t simply omit.
- Seeds and Nuts: Flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds add crunch and nutritional value. Swap out or add any seeds or nuts you prefer.
- Canola Oil: Chosen for its mild flavor and versatility in the original store-bought Aussie bites. For substitutions, melted coconut oil, melted butter, vegetable oil, or avocado oil can be used
- Quinoa: Adds a unique texture and protein. Both cooked and uncooked quinoa work, with cooked quinoa giving a softer texture.
- Honey and Vanilla Extract: Sweeten the bites naturally and add flavor depth. Maple syrup can be used as a plant-based alternative to honey.
Can I make Aussie Bites Without a Food Processor?
If you don’t have a food processor, you can mix the dry ingredients by hand and finely chop the dried fruits and nuts. The texture will be chunkier but just as delicious.
Muffin Pan Options
Mini Muffin Pans:
- Ideal Size: Perfect for authentic, bite-sized treats.
- Fill Level: Fill cups nearly to the top, as they don’t rise much.
- Baking Time: Typically 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
Standard Muffin Pans:
- Larger Treats: Results in bigger Aussie bites, great for a snack or breakfast.
- Fill Level: Fill each cup about halfway to ensure even baking.
- Baking Time: Around 12-15 minutes, may need a bit longer due to size. Use golden brown color and clean toothpick test as doneness indicators.
General Tips:
- Non-stick Pans: Grease well if pans aren’t non-stick to prevent sticking.
- Cooling: Let bites cool in the pan before moving to a wire rack to help them set.
- Freezing: Both sizes freeze well. Freeze individually on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container.
Troubleshooting
- If your bites are too crumbly, add a bit more melted butter or honey to the mixture.
- For bites that are too moist, add a small amount of additional oat flour or rolled oats.
Tips From the Chef
- Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until just combined to keep some texture.
- Allow the bites to cool completely in the pan to set properly before removing.
When are Aussie Bites Ready?
- Color: Look for a golden brown hue on the edges and top.
- Texture: The outside should be slightly crisp, while the inside remains soft.
- Firmness: They should hold together well but still have a slight give when pressed.
Storage Instructions
Store Aussie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag or container; they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a few seconds before enjoying.
More Healthy Snack Recipes
Blueberry Smoothie
5 mins
Easy Authentic Hummus
10 mins
Best Bran Muffins Ever
30 mins
Authentic Guacamole
15 mins
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
My friend and I made a quadruple batch of these this morning and they are delicious! Thanks for a great healthy recipe!
I've tried this recipe twice. The flavor is there, but I can't get them to come out of the pan in one piece, they fall apart. Am I under cooking then? Anyone encounter this & have any advice?
After they cooled for 10 min. In the pan on the wire rack, I flipped the pan over onto the rack and hit the bottoms of the cups with a metal spoon (you can actually hear the difference when they release), and they came right out. Don't touch till they're completely cool and they won't crumble either!
And…… Be sure to grind the cup of oats to a “flour”, very fine! I didn’t on my last batch ( in a hurry!) and mine fell apart… First time ever! Other than that, yep, gotta cool em , then pop them out … Yum!,
These are the closest thing to the real deal, previous post is right! We were so sad when Costco stopped carrying them. Tried another recipe, thought it was the right one but it didn't even taste anything like yours and didn't have chia or quinoa! We use a half cup of raisins and they are just amazing! Thank you!!
Aw thanks! I'm so sorry your Costco stopped carrying them. That's a travesty!
My nearby Costco still carries them.
Costco has brought them back. I had them today and went in search of a recipe! Thankyou
I've read other recipes that use coconut oil. Have you tried subbing it for the canola and or the butter? Wondering how it would fare??? I'll make it as is, but wonder for the future! thanks for doing the legwork for me 🙂
You can definitely substitute coconut oil. I've done it with success. It does alter the flavor.
Have you used coconut oil in place of butter OR oil…. or both???
I’ve tried both.
I tried coconut oil in place of the canola oil. Turned out great!!
I am not sure what I did wrong, but mine rose well over the edge of my mini pan as well as are very crumbled. They taste like I want them to, but the big issue was the falling apart. Will try again and fill with a little less "batter". I did use the mini scoop which has been the right size for my mini pan before.
i had the same problem. followed recipe exactly. they melted over the top of the mini muffin holes, and even though i allowed them to cool thoroughly, they just fell apart. so i will have to eat this like a snack granola. so sad.
It sounds like the right proportions of ingredients weren’t added. I have provided two different videos that show you the texture you should achieve.
I think I’m the video she says 1/4 cup of baking soda but recipe states 1/4 tsp….??
Sometimes I say things wrong. Always refer to the written recipe.
Don’t ever use a quarter cup of baking soda in a recipe! 🙂
I have been on a quest for the perfect aussie bite recipe and have tried several that, while tasty, were not really like Costco's version. I decided to give yours a try since it was a little different (less oats, plus the addition of quinoa and canola oil). So far, your recipe is the closest to the mark! Costco's are a bit more buttery, but this recipe is delicious also. I'm done with my search and this is now my go-to recipe for these tasty morsels. Thank you for sharing!
Well you just made my day! Thank you! I tried really hard to replicate them as closely as possible so this is a huge compliment.
You just made a follower out of me because of this recipe!! I have done the same thing at Costco!
Phew! Glad someone else does that too! The trick is to have as little interaction as possible. Grabbing while there is a crowd is a golden opportunity.
@susan you can get flax seeds from most grocery stores down the baking aisle or in bulk foods.
These babies are packed full of goodness!
Wow, perfect afternoon pick-me-up, loaded with nutrition. They look great too! I have chia seeds but will need to source the flax seeds. I've not run into these at Costco. Will be on the lookout on the next shopping spree.
Costco is where I buy my ground flax seed (as specified in the recipe)
Flax seed is at Costco where the vitamins and health products are located near the pharmacy.
I don't think I've ever tried these before, but I love the sound of them!!!