No Bake Cranberry Energy Bites with Coconut make the perfect healthy grab & go snack. Best of all, easy to make with just 7 ingredients with video! Gluten free, dairy free & refined sugar free. Plus Video!
January means bring on all the healthy snack options.
Healthy snacks like energy bites and granola bars are my absolute favorite things we make on our Sunday meal prep days.
We make a few batches of energy bites every week and a few of our favorites include:
- 5 Ingredient Energy Bites
- Almond Joy Energy Bites
- Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites
- Apricot Energy Bites
- Banana Nut Energy Bites
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Coconut Energy Bites
- No Bake Lemon Coconut Energy Bites
- Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Energy Bites
- Turtle Pecan Energy Bites
Best of all, they’re completely no bake and perfect for before or after a workout.
INGREDIENTS FOR NO BAKE CRANBERRY COCONUT ENERGY BITES:
One thing I really like about no bake energy bites? They are made with simple pantry ingredients that you can swap out according to what you have on hand.
- peanut buttter, almond buttter OR your favorite nut or seed butter
- liquid honey, brown rice syrup, agave syrup or date paste
- pure vanilla extract
- finely shredded coconut
- old fashioned oats, use gluten free if necessary
- dried cranberries
Optional:
- chopped nuts or seeds
- chocolate chips
Be sure to check your labels if you have any food allergies or sensitivities and use gluten free or nut free ingredients as needed.
HOW TO MAKE NO BAKE CRANBERRY ENERGY BITES:
- In a large bowl, mix together heated nut/seed butter and honey until smooth.
- Stir in shredded coconut, oats, and mix until well combined. Add optional add-ins if desired. Fold in cranberries.
- Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1″ – 1.5″ balls. Or, if the dough doesn’t stick together place dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to forming dough balls so it’s easier to handle. Press additional cranberries evenly around the dough, if desired.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
ARE GLUTEN FREE CRANBERRY ENERGY BITES FREEZER FRIENDLY?
Absolutely. These cranberry almond energy bites are the perfect make ahead recipe. You can make them on your meal prep Sunday, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
We like to make a double batch and place them on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to set. Then we store them in freezer-friendly zip-top bags.
Then you just grab one or two in the morning or any time you need a quick pick-me-up.
ARE NO BAKE CRANBERRY ENERGY BALLS HEALTHY?
Energy bites are a great healthier treat option when enjoyed in moderation on a balanced diet. They are made with wholesome ingredients and packed with fiber and protein but sweet enough to satisfy that sweet dessert craving.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST NO BAKE CRANBERRY ENERGY BITES:
- wet hands slightly before rolling into balls to avoid sticking
- use gluten free oats or quinoa flakes if you are allergic to oats
- add a touch of liquid sweetener if you prefer a sweeter treat
- the peanut butter / almond butter can be swapped out for any nut or seed butter you like – peanut butter, sunbutter, cashew butter or pumpkin seed butter would work as well
- shredded coconut can be left out if you’re not a fan – just use extra oats, almond flour, oat flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill), ground flax or protein powder instead
- swap out the cranberries for nuts, chopped chocolate or cocao nibs
- 1 medium very ripe banana about scant 1/2 cup
- 1/4 cup natural almond butter OR peanut butter or your favorite nut or seed butter cashew, sunflower or pumpkin seed butter (heated slightly until liquidy
- 1/4 cup raw liquid honey can also use maple syrup, brown rice syrup, agave syrup or date paste
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground flaxseed optional
- 1/3 cup finely shredded coconut - I used unsweetened leave out and use additional ground flax seed, oat flour or protein powder instead of coconut if you are not a fan and adjust the amount of sweetener
- 1-1/2 cups quick oats use gluten free if necessary
- 3/4 rolled oats use gluten free if necessary
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or dried fruit of your choice
- chopped nuts or seeds
- chocolate chips
- In a large bowl, mash the banana with a fork. Stir in heated nut/seed butter and honey and mix until smooth.
- Add shredded coconut, oats and mix until well combined. Add optional add-ins if desired. Fold in cranberries.
- Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. Or, if the dough doesn't stick together place dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to forming dough balls so it's easier to handle. Press additional cranberries evenly around the dough, if desired.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
Recipe Video
**You can form these into cookies or granola bars by flattening the dough in an 8x8 square pan if you prefer not to roll them out.
Store in an airtight container for up to one week in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. months. Allow to sit out for 10 minutes from the freezer before serving.
Amy Jean -
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for this delicious treat! I used apple sauce & a few pecans. I decided, as you mentioned to flatten in an 8×8 pan, refrigerated. However, I decided to bake it for 15/20 min. It made it a bit more crunchy & held together fine. It still was moist!
Thanks again!
Tee -
great great great ?Thanks you
Sarah B -
Delicious! We make these once a week and they are always a hit! Thanks for sharing!
Frimmy -
These look great except I loathe banana! Any alternatives I could use?
Kelly -
Hi Frimmy, you can replace the banana with 1/4 – 1/3 cup honey, maple syrup, mashed dates or maybe even applesauce. Good luck, hope that helps!:)
Frimmy -
I made them with the maple syrup. They are really good. Almost truffle like in their richness! Thanks for this recipe!
Kelly -
So happy to hear that, Frimmy! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know!:)
Kelly
Megan Lawson -
These sound amazing! I have to try! Yum!