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.
If using uncooked quinoa instead of cooked, do you still use 1 cup, or does the amount change? Thank you!
Use 1/4 cup of either cooked or uncooked quinoa.
I’m confused. Your original recipe says 1/4 cup of cooked quinoa though I see from comments that now you recommend uncooked quinoa – easier.. So why did your comment of 6/24/16 to Audrey say use a heaping cup of cooked quinoa when original recipe says 1/4 cup cooked quinoa?
Oh probably just because I was responding to comments on the go from my phone while running my kids around 🙂 You can use 1/4 cup of cooked or uncooked quinoa. I’ve tested the recipe with both and either ends up fine.
SUGAR FREE VERSION: These are great! Thank you so much for the recipe! I was able to make a sugar free version and and it held up really really well – AND my kids loved it! Just one batch is toooooo little for our family, they get gobbled up. Here are the modifications we made:
– instead of apricots, used 7 large madjool dates
– omitted sugar
– did not have quinoa so omitted it
– instead of canola oil used coconut oil
The dates took care of the sweetness and also helped keep everything together. These were SO good. Thanks again for the wonderful recipe 🙂 🙂
Yum! How you figured this recipe out I’ll never know. I even convinced my family to eat “hippie” foods like chia seeds and quinoa with these bad boys! I followed the recipe except for subbing coconut oil for canola and dried cranberries for raisins. They were very delicious, very buttery tasting!
Hi, thank you for posting this recipe, I am very excited to try it. I was wondering whether I should use 1 cup of oat flour or less (if I wanted to use pre-made flour instead of putting oats into the processor in step two).
Yes, use 1 cup.
I was searching for a duplicate recipe for the Aussie Bites at Costco and discovered your blog and this recipe. I made them today and they are AMAZING! Thank you!
Thanks for taking the time to come back and comment! I’m so glad you liked them!
Just made these today and they are absolutely delish! Followed the recipe exactly! Thank you for sharing this! Can’t wait to make them again!
I made these today and they are outstanding. Thank you so much for developing and sharing this recipe. For reference, I replaced the canola oil and butter with coconut oil and the texture and taste were spot on.
Can I ask how much coconut oil you used? Thank you
The recipe I'm seeing says cooked quinoa but the comments say uncooked. Which is correct?
The recipe was updated when I discovered you can do uncooked. Both work, but uncooked is a lot easier.
Hello, I am really excited to try these, I love the ones at Costco I was just wondering when you say store in an air tight container for 4 to 5 days does that mean they are only good for 4 to 5 days? Or you have to wait 4 to 5 days to eat them?
It means that they stay good for about 5 days. You can eat them right away! 🙂
These were great! I made a "veganized" version – I used coconut sugar, soy-free Earth Balance, and coconut oil. I replaced the raisins with dates since its what I had on hand. I think next time they could use a dash of salt to elevate the flavor, but otherwise I loved making (and eating) these gluten free treats!