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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Best Bran Muffins Ever
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Authentic Guacamole
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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.
We love your Aussie BItes! However, they are crumbly – hard to get out of the pan. I accidentally added 1/4 c chia seeds. Could that be the problem?
Yes, that could be the problem. The ratio of dry ingredients to wet is very important. They shouldn't be crumbly.
How can I make them without a food processor? Any suggestions?
My processor broke, so I blend, 3/4 cup at a time for my weak blender, the oats, sunflower seeds and fruit and dump in a bowl and stir together. This recipe is delicious and adaptable to whatever fruits, seeds or sweetner I have on hand! Brilliant!
With anyone having the falling apart issue, soak your chia seeds in water for 10 minutes (chia seeds can leech water from your body so you're suppose to soak them anyway) and it makes a chia egg! It helps bind it together 😀
Rachel, the Costco ingredients include Oat Flour, but your recipe has NO flour is that right?
I have you making your own oat flour in step 2.
Have you tried anything to substitute the the sugar with??
I'd love to omit it completely.
Have you tried anything to substitute the sugar?? Would love to be able to omit completely.
I have not. This recipe is intended to be as close to the store-bought item as possible. I know there are other recipes out there that have made "healthier" versions.
I used coconut sugar in place of the sugar. I also skipped the raisins and doubled the dried apricots. They tasted GREAT and are perfectly sweet. Next time I am going to process my oats longer and probably add some plantain flour as a binder so they have more of the original aussie bite texture.
I figured it out! I printed the recipe a long time ago….it said cooked quinoa instead of uncooked. That was what was messing everything up. I got it now! Thank you
Ya, the original recipe was cooked which worked, but then one day I tested uncooked and it was even better so I changed it. It also makes it tons easier to not have to cook the quinoa up for it.
Hi Rachel, amazing recipe -Thank you, how much uncooked Quinoa do you add ?
I still use 1/4 cup of uncooked.
I have made these many times and they turned out great every times. Remember to let them them cool before removing from the pan.
This recipe is AWESOME! They did fall apart a bit, but I was not patient enough to let them cool completely…..will try harder next time! I added some fresh lemon zest and highly recommend that addition!! What great snacks for my kids' lunches and at sports events! Thank you!
Thanks so much for this recipe. Not only does my family love it, but I took it to my holistic dentist office as a gift for all the wonderful people there. They LOVED them. I quadrupled this recipe, Halved the sugar, used only 1 c coconut oil, forgot the butter, left out the quinoa and added1/2 c water. It was amazing even with these adaptions and so healthy. They are going to be a staple from now on….
Michele
Do you think you could skip the sugar in this recipe and have them turn out ok? I'm fine with them being less sweet, I just want to make sure the texture would still be the same.
I have made them once and was thinking I could stand them a little less sweet myself, and don't remember the ones from costco being quite that sweet either.
The fruit adds quite a bit of sweetness itself, especially if you really mince it in. I was going to try reducing the granulated sugar by 1/2 or leaving it out the next time I try. I think as long as we don't mess with the honey or oil they should still hold together well.
I agree. Way to sweet. But recipe is great otherwise.