Save on energy and time by whipping up some healthy and ready-to-go energy bites. Healthy ingredients such as dried fruit, nuts and oats are all packed into a ball of protein, perfect for a snack.

Try substituting ingredients such as carob chips for chocolate chips, or agave for honey, to experiment with alternative flavors and combinations. You may need a trip to a natural foods store or specialty grocery for ingredients such as the chia and hemp seeds or the coconut butter.

These bites are quick and easy to make, and great on warm days as there’s no baking involved. Store them refrigerated in an airtight container, or freeze them up to four months.

BASIC ENERGY BITE

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 1 cup peanut butter (or try other nut butter, such as almond or cashew)
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Roll into 1-inch balls. Makes 18.

Approximate nutritional information, per bite: 160 calories, 11 g total fat, 3 g saturated fat, no cholesterol, 60 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 5 g protein.

MOCHA BITES

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 1 cup pitted dates (about 12)
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons ground coffee
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

In a food processor, blend dates into a paste.

In a medium bowl, combine date paste, oats, chocolate chips, coffee and chia seeds. Mix by hand until well blended. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes.

Roll into 1-inch balls. Makes 10.

Approximate nutritional information, per bite: 120 calories, 3 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, no cholesterol or sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 13 g sugar, 2 g protein

COCONUT-NUT BITES

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup raisins (or dried cherries), soaked in hot water 5 minutes
• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, plus another 1/4 cup for rolling (optional)
• 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, or to taste
• 1 -1/2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon coconut butter (see note)

Combine all three nuts in a food processor and pulse a few times until finely chopped.

Add remaining ingredients and process until mixture comes together and starts to stick, about 1 minute. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls then roll in additional coconut flakes, if using.

Eat them as is or transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate about an hour to firm up. Wrap individually for easy snacking. Makes 9.

NOTE: In place of coconut butter, use coconut flakes with a little honey as the binder and sweetener.

Approximate nutritional information, per bite: 160 calories, 13 g total fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, no cholesterol, 20 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 3 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.