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.
I am so anxious to try these! Do I really have to buy mini muffin tins? How do you think they’ll come out if I use regular muffin tins, just not fill them too much?
I mean, it’ll definitely work. It may need more baking time though.
Just tasted Aussies for the first time recently and it was love at first bite. I am so excited to try this recipe. I am in full agreement about weights vs. Measures. Much more accurate. That said, do you have the corresponding weights for the measurements? Thanks for all your work to bring us this recipe!
I don’t on this recipe. Sorry!
Tried these today and they were so good! I used coconut oil because my son can’t bring any snacks to school that have dairy in them (due to a classmate’s allergy). Even with the substitution, they taste very similar to Costco’s Aussie bites! Thanks!
I love using coconut products in baking since it’s so healthy, but I can’t get past the flavor/texture of coconut flakes. Will it be a problem if I leave them out??
You can easily leave them out. It shouldn’t affect the final product.
Hi folks, has anyone tried adding different flavours, cinnamon, lemon etc. Just wondering as I don’t think I put enough vanilla into the mix. Apart from that I’ve now got to buy another muffin tin as one batch just isn’t enough!
Sounds like it would be great! If you give it a try, be sure to come back and let me know!
Do you need to put in the sugar? I would love to try and make them but I don’t like the idea of the sugar in them.
Well, I never recommend altering recipes too much in baking because the result will be very different than my original recipe. If you read through the comments there are others who have experimented with sugar replacement options so that may help you out. Or there are dozens of healthier aussie bite recipes out there. This one is intended to be an exact replication of the store bought variety which do contain sugar.
So just to clarify, should the quinoa be cooked or uncooked? The recipe says cooked, but in the comments you mention you don’t cook it anymore? Really excited to try this recipe!
It can be either. Like I said, I tried it without cooking and liked the result just fine so I altered the recipe. If you have cooked quinoa lying around then use it. If not, you can skip the hassle of cooking some just for the recipe. I’m always trying to make things easier.
Any idea how they would turn out without the flax? We have so many allergies in my house aND that’s the only one I am not sure of in this recipe…
I think you should be fine leaving out the flax. The recipe is very forgiving.
Thanks Rachel. I will probably just turn this batch into crumbs and use it as a topping for an apple crisp.
I bet it will be terrific.
Karen
Perfect flavor, but fell completely apart. Couldn’t get them out of the pan. Maybe next time I will add an egg to bind every thing together. Would have been five stars if they had held together.
That usually happens when there isn’t enough of the sticky ingredients. Cups are such terrible measurements for things like dried apricots and raisins. Adding more of those next time will probably solve your issue.