Energy Bites – No Bake 12 Ways – switch up your snack lineup with these easy energy ball recipes for healthy on-the go snacks. Best of all, these protein bites are simple to customize and make ahead for school or work lunchboxes. Refined sugar free, gluten free and nut free options. Plus recipe video!
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Energy bites and granola bars are one of our favorite healthy snack recipes to make.
They not only taste like dessert, I love that you can customize them with ingredients you have on hand.
We usually make a big batch of No Bake Energy Bites on meal prep Sunday to last us throughout the week. I mean, you really can’t go wrong with how quick and easy they come together.
Plus, these recipes require no cooking or baking and provide a tasty solution for a quick boost of nutrition.
A few of our favorite energy bite recipes include:
- 5 Ingredient Energy Bites
- Almond Joy Energy Bites
- Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites
- Apricot Energy Bites – recipe below
- Banana Nut Energy Bites – recipe below
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites – recipe below
- Coconut Energy Bites
- Cranberry Energy Bites
- No Bake Lemon Coconut Energy Bites
- Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Energy Bites
- Turtle Pecan Energy Bites – recipe below
And if you’re looking for some more breakfast options – here are some really popular reader favorites:
This comprehensive tutorial guide for no bake energy bites (energy balls, power balls, protein bites) has been a long time coming.
It combines my favorite energy bites recipes along with some tips in case you guys are looking for more variety in your snack or lunchbox arsenal.
INGREDIENTS REQUIRED FOR MAKING 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. Plus, they’re freezer friendly so you can make them ahead of time for an easy grab and go or after workout snack.
Remember to check the labels if you have any food allergies or sensitivities. Use gluten free or nut free ingredients as needed.
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE ENERGY BITES?
- rolled oats (use gluten free if necessary)
- sticky sweetener like maple syrup, honey, brown rice syrup or organic agave
- natural nut or seed butter (almond, peanut, cashew, sunflower or pumpkin seed butter)
- dried dates or apricots
SO WHAT OTHER INGREDIENTS YOU CAN ADD TO NO BAKE ENERGY BITES?
- pure vanilla extract (recommended for adding flavor)
- ground cinnamon (my favorite)
- Himalayan or sea salt (cuts down on sweetness)
- almond meal or oat flour
- avocado oil or melted coconut oil
- shredded coconut
- protein powder
- ground flax seeds, chia seeds
- chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans etc.)
- pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
- dried fruit (preferably unsweetened or with less sweetener – cranberries, raisins, blueberries, cherries etc.)
- chopped chocolate or chocolate chips (optional)
HELPFUL TIPS & TRICKS FOR MAKING NO BAKE ENERGY BITES
- Pack and roll your energy bites tightly into 1 – 1.5 ” sized balls – (about one – two tablespoons of dough)
- Chilling the dough prior to rolling helps the dough stick together
- Press dough into a square baking pan lined and cut into bars after chilling instead of rolling into balls
- Wet hands slightly to help the dough stick together
- Heat nut butter with 2 teaspoons of avocado or coconut oil to make it more liquidy – this is especially necessary if you are using nut butter near the bottom of the jar
- Different brand of nut butters yield slightly different consistency and results, adjust as needed. I usually like to use organic and / or natural nut / seed butters
- Increase amount of liquid (nut butter / sweetener / oil ) if dough seems too dry
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Swap out shredded coconut for ground flaxseeds, almond meal or oat flour
- Add protein powder, hemp seeds and / or chia seeds for an extra boost of nutrition
- Pulse softened dried dates, prunes or apricots with some water in your
food processor if you don’t want to add any liquid sweeteners
- A pinch of sea salt helps to cut down sweetness and adds flavor
3. Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites
4. Apricot Energy Bites – recipe below
5. Banana Nut – recipe below
6. Carrot Cake – recipe below
7. Coconut Almond Butter Energy Bites – click the link or scroll to the bottom for the recipe listed below
10. Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites – click the link or scroll to the bottom for the recipe below
12. Turtle Pecan – recipe below
No Bake Energy Bites 12 Ways – the perfect easy and healthy snack for on the go! Best of all, no refined sugar and super easy to customize and make ahead for packing into school or work lunchboxes. With gluten free and nut free options. Plus video.
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 3 tablespoons dried unsweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/3 cup natural creamy almond butter slightly heated
- 2 tablespoons liquid honey
- 1 small (1/4 cup) extremely ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups rolled oats gluten free as needed - I use Bob's Red Mill
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup chopped cashews (or walnuts)
- 1/2 cup pitted dried dates
- 1/3 cup dried apricots or raisins
- 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2/3 cup creamy almond butter slightly heated
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup gluten free old fashioned oats
- 12 whole almonds for garnish, optional
- Click this link for Cranberry Energy Bites
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1/2 cup cashew butter
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut divided
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2/3 cup natural creamy almond butter slightly heated
- 1/3 cup liquid honey
- 1 2/3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats gluten free as needed - I use Bob's Red Mill
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup raisins
- Click this link for Pumpkin Energy Bites
- 3/4 dried pitted dates
- 1 cup pecans
- 2 tablespoons almond or cashew butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 12 pecan halves optional for garnish
Place the cashews and almonds in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until combined into a sticky "dough" like consistency.
Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
- In a large bowl, mix together heated nut butter, honey and banana until smooth.
Stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined.
Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If 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.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
Place the apricots, dates and nuts in a food processor until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until combined into a sticky "dough" like consistency.
Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
Place the apricots, cashew butter and 1/4 cup of shredded coconut in a food processor until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients except for the reserved coconut and pulse until combined into a sticky "dough" like consistency.
Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls. Roll into the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded coconut, if desired.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
In a large bowl, mix together the heated nut butter and coconut oil until smooth. Add maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut and oats and mix until well combined.
Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If 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.
Garnish each energy bite by pressing one almond in the center, if desired.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
In a large bowl, mix together heated nut butter and honey until smooth.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined.
Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If 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.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
- Place the dates and pecans in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the pecan halves and pulse until chopped well).
Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls. Press one pecan halve in the middle of each energy bite.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
Did you try this recipe?
Eva @ Eva Bakes -
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