No-Bake Energy Bites
This No-Bake Energy Bites recipe is easy to make, full of feel-good ingredients, and so irresistibly delicious! (Affiliate links included.)
Hip hip for no bake energy bites!
I’ll admit, a few years ago when I first posted this recipe, I had never even heard of no bake energy “bites”. But now, after zillions of pageviews on this post, countless batches of them made in my kitchen, and more new variations of them popping up each day online, I think it’s safe to say that no bake energy bites are now officially a “thing”.
And I hope that they are deliciously here to stay. Because I don’t know about you, but I love these little guys.
Ever since my friend Courtney first introduced me to them on a ski trip in Breckenridge a few years ago, this no bake energy bites recipe has been on regular rotation in my house. And for someone who doesn’t dig recipe repeats or leftovers all that often, that’s saying something. I make a big batch at least once a month, and love popping them as an easy breakfast, a quick snack, a pop of protein before a workout, or even occasionally as a sweet dessert.
I’ve also posted about five different variations of this recipe on the site, from Cranberry Pistachio to Almond Joy to Nutella to Trail Mix energy bites. And I also have all sorts of tips from those who have questions about nutrition and ingredient substitutions. So scroll on down for the recipe, and hopefully we can answer any or your questions too. So that all the world can enjoy All The Energy Bites. :)
No Bake Energy Bites Video (1 Minute!)
I have to say that the original recipe for these No Bake Energy Bites is still my fav. I originally just slightly adapted it from the blog Smashed Peas & Carrots, who came up with the brilliant idea for these all to begin.
The recipe calls for:
- chocolate chips
- toasted coconut
- vanilla extract, store-bought or homemade
- peanut butter
- old fashioned oats
- honey (or agave nectar)
- freshly ground flax seeds
- chia seeds (optional)
To make the no bake energy bites, just stir all of those ingredients together in a large bowl until combined. (Or if you get tired of using a spoon, just use your hands. That’s what I do!)
Once the mixture is combined, pop it in the fridge for 10-20 minutes so that it will harden slightly. This will help make it easier to roll it into balls.
Then once the mixture has cooled slightly, shape it however you please, and refrigerate in an airtight storage container. I like shaping my energy bites into 1-inch balls, but you can make yours smaller or larger. Or if you’d rather, you can press the mixture into a baking dish lined with parchment paper and you make energy bars instead of bites. Whatever sounds good to you!
The best thing about this recipe is that it is super flexible as well. So if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, or if you are just looking for other substitution ideas, feel free to use:
- Different (or no) chocolate: I generally use dark chocolate chips. But you can also substitute in any other kinds of chips (butterscotch, milk chocolate, white chocolate, cinnamon chips, etc.). Or if you are vegan, grab some vegan chocolate chips. Or if you don’t dig chocolate, you can leave this part out all together.
- Different nut butter: If you are allergic to peanuts, feel free to substitute in any other kinds of nut butter, like almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, or others. (For a great tutorial on homemade nut butters, check out this great post from Tasty Yummies.)
- Different sweetener: I really prefer honey in this recipe. But agave also works and is vegan, and some readers have had success with alternative sweeteners too.
In general, if you start experimenting with different ingredients or leave some ingredients out entirely, the balance of the recipe may be a little “off”. So if they get too dry, add a few more of the sticky ingredients like honey and/or peanut butter. If they get too gooey, add in more oats.
The name of the game with this recipe is customization. So feel free to give them a try and keep tweaking them to whatever specific combination tastes and feels good to you. Cheers to more energy bites in our future!
No Bake Energy Bites
These delicious little no bake energy bites are the perfect healthy snack!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
- 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or vegan chocolate chips)
- 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.*
- Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1″ in diameter.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- Makes about 20-25 balls.
*Prep time listed does not include time for the mixture to chill. To speed up the chilling, I recommend spreading the mixture out on a baking sheet, then covering it with plastic wrap and refrigerating.
**We do not currently offer nutrition facts on this site, but if you would like an estimate, I recommend using My Fitness Pal.
***If making these gluten-free, be sure to use certified gluten-free ingredients.
If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #gimmesomeoven. I'd love to see what you cook!
Feel free to check out these other no-bake energy bites recipes too!
- Sweet and Salty Energy Bites
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites
- Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites
- Nutella Energy Bites
- Almond Joy Energy Bites
- Cashew Dark Chocolate Energy Bites
- Trail Mix Energy Bites
So tasty loved them so much! Healthy yet delicious!!!
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Hi! Any idea if these freeze well? Thanks! So excited for a healthy snack recipe! :)
Yes – I portion them out and freeze them, 2 in a snack size baggie. Better to eat when thawed, but they thaw quickly.
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Made 18 decent size balls. Family loves them! Were trying out clean eating and this fits perfectly. YUMMM!!! 😊
Thank you for this recipe! I substitute maple syrup for the honey and it’s also awesome.
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These satisfy the urge for sweet and fills me up so I don’t eat other snacks. I freeze them in individual bites (snack bags) so they are easy to grab. Going to make another batch tonight.
what if we are allergic to nuts?
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Hi. I made this; and input on MyFitnessPal under “mock freshii energii bites.” I estimate them at 165 calories for 25g per ball. Cheers, Josh
Bless you!!👍
How many carbs?
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I’ve been eating these daily for a few years, and I love them! My recipe has the exact same ingredients but slightly different measurements. I make them each Sunday and freeze them 2 at a time in snack sized ziploc bags. It’s perfect for grabbing when I need a snack during the week!
Quite possibly my favorite go to recipe ever! A friend directed me to your specific one and I’m just so happy with it – it’s marked as a favorite on my phone and make it at least once a month. Thank you for sharing it with the world!
I make these all the time …. So damn good!! Very comvenient when you’re on the go and just grab them from the fridge! Love love!
Hi! I was just wondering if leaving out the vanilla extract will totally offset the balance of the bites? (I ran out :/)
I’ve made the bites so many times, but always used vanilla extract.
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Love these!! Thanks for sharing!
Best energy ball I have ever had. Do you know by chance how many calories per ball? Just rough estimate.
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I love these and so does my husband, who is a picky eater! I even demonstrated how to make them at the library (I’m a public librarian), and they were a hit there too :) Just wondering if they would freeze well? This would be something I’d like to make a double or even triple batch of to have them always on hand. Thanks!