Get ready for the Peach Bowl with these recipes

Eat peaches plain, cooked, dried or preserved — so long as you’re cheering for the Panthers while you munch on them.

Ahead of the Dec. 30 Pitt vs. Michigan State Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Assistant Athletic Director for Performance Nutrition Auburn Weisensale shared two of her favorite recipes.

Peach Smoothie

Adapted from epicurious

1 1/2 cups apple juice

1 ripe peach, peeled, pitted and chopped (about 3/4 cup)

1/2 ripe banana, peeled and chopped

1 tablespoon vanilla yogurt

5 ice cubes

1-2 teaspoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Makes about 3 cups.  

Peach Pie Energy Bites  

Adapted from Recipe Runner

1 1/4 cups freeze-dried peaches

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 scoop NSF Certified for Sport protein powder (optional)

1/4 cup almond butter

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-3 tablespoons water

Instructions: 

1. Grind freeze-dried peaches until they become a powder-like.
2. Reserve a small amount of the peach powder to roll finished energy bites in. 
3. Add almonds to remaining powder and blend until finely ground. 
4. Add all remaining ingredients except the water. 
5. Blend and add small amounts of the water for moisture as needed. 
6. When mixture becomes a sticky dough, scoop 2 teaspoons at a time onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. 
7. Roll each scoop into balls, then into remaining peach powder.
8. Enjoy!
9. Store in refrigerator in airtight container.

For more peachy pre-game ideas, such as grilled peach and burrata salad and peach cobbler, head to Pitt’s social media channels.