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.
I am so glad to have the same snack to look forward to without the “too sweet” taste of the original product! I omitted the white sugar and used melted coconut oil instead of the canola and butter. Next time I might try 1/2 butter. The apricots were the only expensive ingredient – but still the cost for 24 was under CAN $5. I think I might also stir in a portion of the seed ingredients at the end to give a crunchier texture after pulsing the rest. Thank you so much!
I wanted to find a sugar-free, healthy snack because I have given up sugar completely.
I read some of the comments and made these using cooked quinoa. I also added 1/2 C of vanilla protein powder and some craisins along with all the other dried fruit. I did not add the canola oil and used the 1/4 C butter only for oil. They were DELICIOUS! I took a few to my neighbor and she wants more! lol! I let them cool completely before removing them from the silicone muffin pan, because they are fragile when warm.
I always make the recipe as per instructions the first time. Omitting the sugar will be my next batch. Thank you for the suggestion and substitutes.
I volunteer with a group of moms that go to a local university and hand out homemade treats one morning a week. One of the students requested some protein-based treats. I tested out this recipe tonight (just a half-batch) with a small modification to bump up the protein. Since others said that the Aussie bites were pretty sweet, instead of the sugar, I substituted protein powder (in my half-recipe version, I put 1/4 cup, but for the full-recipe, it would be 1/2 cup). I also subbed apple sauce for the butter to cut the fat a little but everything else was true to the original recipe. I was very happy with how they turned out. It bumped up the protein per bite to 3g each so a win all the way around! Thanks for the good recipe!
I made this recipe. i used ground chia seeds and did not use sunflower seeds because i didn’t have them. They turned out so good. They are delicious even before you bake them. My husband and I both liked them. This will probably be a weekly recipe for us. I will try different fruits but i really don’t know how you could improve on this. YUM!!!!
Delish! I had a little trouble with them being too crumbly. They wouldn’t hold their shape. BUT I found out by happy accident that if I use quinoa hot out of the pot, they hold together perfectly. Also pecans work as well as sunflower seeds.
Very easy to make and delicious!
These taste even better than the originals – according to my husband who is a big fan. However, despite packing the mixture down, it has overflowed onto my oven and then the bites deflate again once removed. I then pack them in to the pans again and bake a little longer plus clean up oven mess. Happened each of the three times I made this recipe.
Taste great. My were crumbly. Any advice
I heated the honey so it was liquid, used a small cookie scoop to fill mini muffin tins, that had been sprayed with cooking oil, patted them down with wet fingers ( water)
added 1/4 tsp salt for 1 times the recipe. Def cool in the pan. Maybe your first cup of oatmeal wasn’t ground enough? These were amazing will be making them again. 5 stars
Before you reach the actual recipe, this information is provided:
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.
These came out delicious! I have diverticulitis, so I ground all the seeds in a coffee grinder. And substituted dried cherries for the raisins. Worked great!
I made these last night to take on an active day with a six year old. We both enjoyed them very much – he asked that I give his mom the recipe. I omitted the granulated sugar, sweetened with maple syrup in place of honey, added some almond flour, hemp seeds, a little salt and topped them with a tiny bit of coarse salt. Thank you for the delicious treat!