5 Ingredient Energy Bites – No Bake made with simple pantry ingredients that you can customize. A healthy & tasty snack on the go with your favorite nut or seed butter and gluten free oats! Plus a step-by-step recipe video to follow along!
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With back to school season upon us, quick and heatthy snacks are always on rotation around here. Granola bars, breakfast cookies and energy balls are a tasty solution for a quick boost of nutrition.
We make a few batches of No Bake Energy Bites every week and a few of our favorites include:
- Almond Joy Energy Bites
- Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites
- Apricot Energy Bites
- Banana Nut Energy Bites
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Coconut Energy Bites
- Cranberry Energy Bites
- No Bake Lemon Coconut Energy Bites
- Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Energy Bites
- Turtle Pecan Energy Bites
These healthy 5 Ingredient Energy Bites with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips are gluten free, loaded with protein, fiber and clock in at just 94 calories.
The best part is, you can easily make them ahead of time and pack them for on the go. Plus, this recipe is made in just one bowl and makes a large batch so you can meal prep and have them ready for whenever you need it.
5 Ingredient Energy Bites also make the perfect little pick-me up for before or after a workout and are just enough to satisfy that sweet tooth craving.
INGREDIENTS FOR 5 INGREDIENT 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.
- old fashioned oats (use gluten free if necessary)
- shredded coconut (I used unsweetened but you can use any you have on hand) – or use ground flax seed, oat flour or protein powder instead
- peanut butter (swap with for your favorite nut or seed butter – almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter)
- honey (can also swap with maple syrup, brown rice syrup, agave or date paste instead)
- 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 5 INGREDIENT ENERGY BITES:
In a large bowl, you’re going to combine:
- old-fashioned oats (use gluten free if necessary)
- shredded coconut (I used unsweetened but you can use any you have on hand) – or use ground flax seed, oat flour or protein powder instead
- peanut butter (swap with for your favorite nut or seed butter – almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter)
- honey (can also swap with maple syrup, brown rice syrup, agave or date paste instead)
- chocolate chunks / chips (you can use chopped fruit or nuts instead)
ARE 5 INGREDIENT ENERGY BITES HEALTHY?
Yes, homemade energy bites are much healthier than the store bought granola bars that have a million ingredients. As long as you don’t eat the entire batch in one sitting. Energy bites make a great snack if you’re trying to cut back on processed ingredients.
ARE ENERGY BITES FREEZER FRIENDLY?
Absolutely. These healthy 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.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST 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
ARE 5 INGREDIENT ENERGY BALLS SUGAR FREE?
These energy bites are refined sugar free but if you are looking for a snack without any added sweetener, you can use banana instead like I did in the Cranberry Energy Bites and feel free to swap out the chocolate for nuts instead.
Or for a lower carb option, try experimenting with liquid monk fruit or stevia for a sugar free option.
DO YOU BAKE ENERGY BITES IN THE OVEN?
These particular protein balls are completely NO BAKE so you can leave the hot oven off during the hot summer months. They make a delicious and healthy snack for after school, a post workout or in lunchboxes.
Make a double batch for meal prep Sunday and you can enjoy them straight from the fridge throughout the week when we need a quick pick me up.
Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal with Chocolate
5 Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites make the perfect grab and go snacks for on the go with easy to find pantry ingredients.
- 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter almond, cashew butter OR sunflower / pumpkin seed butter work as well(heated slightly until liquid-y)
- 1/4 cup liquid honey brown rice syrup, agave syrup or date paste will work as well
- 1/4 cup grated coconut swap with ground flax seed, oat flour or protein powder instead if you are not a fan of coconut - you might have to adjust the amount of sweetener to your taste
- 2 cups oats - [1 cup rolled oats and 1 cup quick oats] use gluten free if necessary
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks* plus more for studding, if desired
- pinch salt optional but highly recommended for offsetting the sweetness
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds or ground chia seeds
- 1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
- *raisins or dried fruit cranberries instead of or half with chocolate chips
- In a large bowl, mix together heated nut butter and honey until smooth.
- Stir in shredded coconut, oats, and salt and mix until well combined. Add optional add-ins if desired. Fold in chocolate chunks/chips.
- Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If the dough doesn't stick together add 1/2 tablespoon water (or melted coconut oil) at a time until dough comes together or place dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to forming dough balls so it's easier to handle. Press additional chocolate chips 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.
Did you try this recipe?
