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
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Easy Authentic Hummus
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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.
Made the Aussie Bites last night and they are exactly like the originals I buy at Costco! My daughter texted me from work today and said she _must_ get the recipe from me – that has never happened!
Just awesome!!
Thank you! Thank you!! My family loves Aussie Bites, and they are pricey. We talked about making them somehow, but figured it’s far too difficult for anyone to do. I made my first batch and WOW! They’re great!! Your effort was sooo worth it!
BEST Aussie Bite recipe!!!! Easy to make.. has become a staple in my house!
Your Aussie Bites are awesome but not exact copycat because your recipe calls for GROUND flax seed but when I eat the originals, I definitely feel and taste WHOLE flax seeds. Same tasty ingredients just not as grainy with whole flax seed. I also add peanut butter, but kind of difficult to figure correct oil balance .I also tried dehydrated PB. Tasty good.
Thanks for the recipe! This mostly worked for me but it NEEDS salt (at least if using unsalted butter) to match the original flavor. Based on the original’s nutrition info I add 1/2 to 1 tsp. I also halve the sugar and chia seeds and increase the fruit.
These are delicious! A little sweet for me, but my husband will love these! Next time I’ll probably cook the Quinoa first so it’s less crunchy. Still really great though and will be baking weekly!
Rachael, thank you for all that you do. There are times when I read some of the reviews and I get some good spins on the recipe and then there are times that people can be rude. I look forward to your recipes. I make slight adaptations to most recipes but I look forward to your emails and you inspire my menu each week. So lets talk about the bites! I never ever ate these tasty little treats before so I have nothing to compare it to. I thought they were excellent! I changed out some of the sugars and fats but kept most of the recipe intact. I love your videos as well. KUDDOS!!
PLEASE share how you swapped up sugars. I’m hoping for as close to sugar-free as possible. 🙂
This is my “go to “recipe. I have made a few minor changes since I baked them the first time, just to suit my taste better. 1. I don’t use any sugar. I find the honey is enough, 2. I add 2 Tbsp of chopped dates so that gives it some extra moistness and sweetness . 3. I add 2 Tbsp hemp seeds 4. I used melted coconut oil instead of canola oil. 5. I add 1 egg to help it hold together better. If it still seems too dry I will also add a Tbsp or 2 of water if needed to help it hold together, and stay moist. I love them. Delicious. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Im goin to use this recipe for a class project. Do u happen to have the nutrition value for the changes you made?
Thank you Nancy! I used your tips and it turned out perfectly!! The only thing I did differently than y’all was made them into bars and forgot the egg. Next time I will add the egg as it was a bit more crumbly. Used a 9×11 for a double batch and cooked for 20 minutes until it was golden around the edges. 🙂
This looks like a tasty recipe, and it has some healthy ingredients, but it doesn’t have much protein. I don’t know how that could be remedied in this recipe. Also, every time I cook quinoa, the bag says to rinse it or else it will be bitter. If using uncooked quinoa here, do you suggest rinsing?
I think the recipe is intended to replicate the Costco ‘Aussie Bite’, not be a protein bite. They are pretty expensive at Costco so I appreciate this knock-off recipe!