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This No-Bake Energy Bites recipe is easy to make, full of feel-good ingredients, and irresistibly delicious!
Friends, have you tried this no bake energy bites recipe? ♡
It’s one of my all-time favorite recipes here on the blog, and one that I’ve personally made about a zillion times since I first published it here eight years ago.
I love these little energy bites because they are easy to make with simply pantry ingredients that I almost always have on hand. They are super easy to mix up and roll into cute little energy balls. (Or if you would like to save time, you can press the mixture into a parchment-covered baking dish, and then cut them into energy bars.) They are the perfect make-ahead recipe to keep on hand for healthy snacking or breakfasts. And most importantly, they are just irresistibly good.
Over the years, thousands of our readers have made and loved this classic energy bites recipe too. So I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try!
No Bake Energy Bites Recipe | 1-Minute Video
No Bake Energy Bites Ingredients:
To make this no bake energy bites recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
Old-fashioned oats: Also called rolled oats — these will serve as the base ingredient for our energy bites.
Shredded coconut: Which I highly recommend toasting — either briefly in the oven or in a sauté pan — before adding to the energy bites. (Just be sure that they have cooled before adding in the chocolate chips, or the chocolate may heat and turn a bit melty.)
Creamy peanut butter: I have used both traditional creamy peanut butter and natural creamy peanut butter in this recipe, and both work!
Ground flaxseed: To add some extra protein, fiber and omega-3s to our energy bites.
Semisweet chocolate chips: I photographed this recipe with standard-sized semisweet chips, but mini semisweet chips mix in easier.
Honey: To add some natural sweetness and also help to bind the energy balls together.
Chia seeds (optional): Feel free to skip the chia seeds, if you do not have any on hand. But I love adding in a tablespoon or so when I do!
How To Make Energy Balls:
To make these energy bites, simply…
Stir everything together. Stir all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
Chill. Cover the mixing bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, or until the mixture is chilled.*
Roll into balls. Roll into mixture into 1-inch balls.
Serve. Then enjoy immediately! Or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
If you have trouble getting the energy balls to hold together, I recommend adding in more peanut butter to make the mixture a bit more sticky. Or if you would rather, you can also just press the mixture into a square baking dish to make flat energy bars instead of round energy balls.
Possible Energy Bites Variations:
There are all sorts of ways that you can customize this energy bites recipe, so feel free to get creative! For example, you are welcome to…
Make energy bars: Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan, chill, and then slice into energy bars (instead of rolling the mixture into energy balls).
Use a different nut or seed butter: Use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or any other nut/seed butters that you prefer in place of peanut butter.
Omit the coconut: I’ve heard from many of you over the years who don’t love coconut. If that’s the case, no prob, just omit the coconut and add in an extra shake of oats instead.
Add spices: If you would like to give these energy bites some extra flavor, feel free to add in a few pinches of ground cinnamon or some pumpkin pie spice.
More Healthy Snack Recipes:
Looking for more healthy snack inspiration? Here are a few of my favorite snack recipes!
Stir everything together. Stir all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
Chill. Cover the mixing bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, or until the mixture is chilled. (This will help the mixture stick together more easily.)
Roll into balls. Roll into mixture into 1-inch balls.
Serve. Then enjoy immediately! Or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Prep Time: The 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 small baking sheet and popping it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes until the mixture is cool.
I made these for my students and they absolutely loved them. I used mini chocolate chips, which made the balls much easier to roll out. (I had made them previously with the regular-sized chips.) I also added some vanilla protein powder for added flavor and nutrition. If 100 15- and 16-year olds love them, you know they are amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
These are amazing..my daughter took some to college and they were gone in minutes. I don’t have to worry about them keeping in the fridge, they rarely make it that long!
Saw this on Pinterest and happened to have everything in my pantry so I mixed up a double batch right away – so glad I doubled it because my husband and I both loved them! I can’t wait to make them again and add/switch out some ingredients for dried fruit, etc. Thanks for this recipe!
This recipie looks great, but I’m allergic to nuts. Would it work with just honey to bind everything together? If not what would you recommend in place of the peanut butter? Thanks
Wow, I only made about a dozen of these balls with this recipe. I guess mine were BIG. Everyone that had them at work said they could eat many more, and one said they were “too small”. LOL. They were fabulous :)
I made these and pulled them out to roll them into the balls and they didn’t even make it that far. When I pulled them out my 3 little ones and husband were around, all of there hands went into the bowl and I was lucky to get acouple of bits. They loved them. My husband asks me to make them everyday for him for at work and the kids love them for after school snacks. Thank you so much!
Hello
I found these energy bites being promoted by college students for healthy eating habits. I tried making them but the mixture came out dry. not moist enough to make them into soft balls. What do I do? How can I make the mixture soft and moist. When I refrigerated the mixture it was hard and dry. Please advice
I substituted flax seeds for chia seeds and used 1/2 the amount of mini chocolate chips — I will never buy a protein bar again! These are delicious!! And the perfect size to pop in my mouth after a workout!
Thanks for the idea!
Made these and they are very good. My husband needs a little protein snack from low sugar. Instead of reg chocolate chips I got mini chocolate and peanut butter chips that came already in a package.
AMAZING!!!! So delicious….I tried to figure out WW points..came up with 3to5 per “bite”…anyone have other counts?? Doesn’t matter too much as I will be making these again for sure!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Just made these today – left out the coconuts ’cause I hate shredded coconut, left out the vanilla extract and substituted some granola mix I already had for the oats. They’re way yummy!!! I’m a college freshman and I loved that I could make them right in my dorm room. Thanks for the recipe! It’s a perfect snack to cure my chocolate cravings while still giving me some healthy whole grains.
It depends on how big you make them. If they’re small they’re around 75. Larger ones are 150. I tend to make mine smaller so I can use them as a snack. For a meal replacement, I’ll eat 2 of the small ones.
Thanks so much for sharing these. I live in a place where people are constantly trying to stay healthy! I know they will just LOVE the know bake part of it!!! they look delicious.
I made these last night. Yummm. I have two fairly picky kids and they loved them! Brought the rest to work and everyone is raving and asking for the recipe. Thank so much for sharing!!
Thanks for the recipe. As a bodybuilder its difficult to find recipes out there with low carbs and high protein and this recipe has both, how ever I added a few extras for protein.
Thanks again
You’ve just made my life a bit easier.
I’ve always taken cliff bars and what not on my snowboarding trips, but these are way easier to eat, since they are bite size and taste way better. Next time I might use smooth peanut butter (I used crunchy, and I think 1/2 cup of crunchy was too little). Thanks for sharing! Superb!
Ali,
I have just made a life style change with my eating. I weigh in at my highest on May 9, 2012. I couldn’t believe it. I have lost a little over 50 lbs, I find out on Thursday when I weigh in. I am trying to find health snacks for me and my family and my sweet little grand daughter because I don’t want her to struggle with the issues of weight all her life like I have. I would love any recipes you would like to suggest.
thank you so much
Mary Mo —
Congrats to you on your weight loss! You should be very proud of that accomplishment!!
I have made these with dates as well. I through some dates in the food processor. Make a paste. Then add almond or peanut butter, coconut, flax seeds, walnuts, dried cherries, dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder. What ever yummy ingredients you like!
A scoop of protein powder makes these great after sport bites!
These were fantabulous! I just posted these bites to my blog with a link back to you. https://bit.ly/XUEfCq if you want to check it out. I’m going to try the pumpkin bites next! You have great recipes :) ~Tiffany
Hi just a note to let you know i have tryied your no-bake energy bits and they are so good… I can wait to do a new batch this time i am putting chuncks of dark chocolat and dried cranberries….
I did. I would just take out one or two when I wanted a sweet treat. Keep in a freezer safe baggie or container. I didn’t have a problem with them being to hard either. :)
I made these for my students and they absolutely loved them. I used mini chocolate chips, which made the balls much easier to roll out. (I had made them previously with the regular-sized chips.) I also added some vanilla protein powder for added flavor and nutrition. If 100 15- and 16-year olds love them, you know they are amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
Have you tried to freeze these?
can you freeze these?
Better than a no bake cookie, and healthy! Whhaaat? They are fabulous!
I made these today, they were incredible. Definitely a great recipe!
These are amazing..my daughter took some to college and they were gone in minutes. I don’t have to worry about them keeping in the fridge, they rarely make it that long!
Saw this on Pinterest and happened to have everything in my pantry so I mixed up a double batch right away – so glad I doubled it because my husband and I both loved them! I can’t wait to make them again and add/switch out some ingredients for dried fruit, etc. Thanks for this recipe!
I used crushed Special K instead of coconut and added a tablespoon of Nutella. Very good!!
what is the calories,fat,protein,ect. does anyone know …..thanks
This recipie looks great, but I’m allergic to nuts. Would it work with just honey to bind everything together? If not what would you recommend in place of the peanut butter? Thanks
Wow, I only made about a dozen of these balls with this recipe. I guess mine were BIG. Everyone that had them at work said they could eat many more, and one said they were “too small”. LOL. They were fabulous :)
For any Weight Watcher people, here is the Points+
WWP+= 3 per ball if you make 23-25
WWP+= 4 per ball if you make 20
I bet you could also supplement the chocolate chips with dried cranberries for the sweet factor.
So Good! I will definitely be trying out the extra tips next time! Love these! Thank You! :)
I made these and pulled them out to roll them into the balls and they didn’t even make it that far. When I pulled them out my 3 little ones and husband were around, all of there hands went into the bowl and I was lucky to get acouple of bits. They loved them. My husband asks me to make them everyday for him for at work and the kids love them for after school snacks. Thank you so much!
omg i can not WAIT to make these! i have ALL the ingredients in my kitchen right this moment so that makes it even more perfect!! yay!!! thank you!
Thank you very much for this recipe!! I just made these and they are SO good and good for you! :)
Hello
I found these energy bites being promoted by college students for healthy eating habits. I tried making them but the mixture came out dry. not moist enough to make them into soft balls. What do I do? How can I make the mixture soft and moist. When I refrigerated the mixture it was hard and dry. Please advice
Made these today and they were great! Will definitely be doing more.
Silly question….do you think these balls would freeze well?
Sam, I’ve made three batches to try to answer your question. No they will not freeze. They don’t stay in the freezer long enough. :)
What’s the serving size for calorie counters?
I substituted flax seeds for chia seeds and used 1/2 the amount of mini chocolate chips — I will never buy a protein bar again! These are delicious!! And the perfect size to pop in my mouth after a workout!
Thanks for the idea!
Tried these, love em!!
These are great! I like that i could add ‘whatever’ to it! Thanks for sharing
Made these and they are very good. My husband needs a little protein snack from low sugar. Instead of reg chocolate chips I got mini chocolate and peanut butter chips that came already in a package.
AMAZING!!!! So delicious….I tried to figure out WW points..came up with 3to5 per “bite”…anyone have other counts?? Doesn’t matter too much as I will be making these again for sure!!!! Thanks for sharing!
thanks for sharing:) made these yesterday very yummy!
Just made these today – left out the coconuts ’cause I hate shredded coconut, left out the vanilla extract and substituted some granola mix I already had for the oats. They’re way yummy!!! I’m a college freshman and I loved that I could make them right in my dorm room. Thanks for the recipe! It’s a perfect snack to cure my chocolate cravings while still giving me some healthy whole grains.
I left out the chocolate chips and used crunchy peanut butter!! Heaven!!! So good, they are dangerous!
Just made these, and they are so good! I added dark chocolate chips and 2 Tbsp cocoa powder. Perfect Snack!
These are terrific! I didn’t have enough coconut so I added some toasted pecans. VERY delicious!!! I will be making these again.
any idea how many calories these are?
It depends on how big you make them. If they’re small they’re around 75. Larger ones are 150. I tend to make mine smaller so I can use them as a snack. For a meal replacement, I’ll eat 2 of the small ones.
These are AMAZNG! So delicious..my husband just asked me to make these again:)
Can anyone give me a suggestion on something i could replace the coconut flakes with?? Thanks!
These look really good…does anyone know the calorie content of one of these?
Reply to self…just saw post#138 with the Nutritional Value…thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing these. I live in a place where people are constantly trying to stay healthy! I know they will just LOVE the know bake part of it!!! they look delicious.
I made these last night. Yummm. I have two fairly picky kids and they loved them! Brought the rest to work and everyone is raving and asking for the recipe. Thank so much for sharing!!
Hi! Are tthey supposed to be sofy after they r rolled up??
such a fan of your E bites!! so excited to try with pumpkin!! xo
Hi
Thanks for the recipe. As a bodybuilder its difficult to find recipes out there with low carbs and high protein and this recipe has both, how ever I added a few extras for protein.
Thanks again
You’ve just made my life a bit easier.
Added chopped peanuts and Rice Krispies to replace the wheat germ. Loved it. I would like to know the nutritional value. Anyone got it?
I was wondering if these would stay good at room temperature because I am thinking about stuff to send to my brother who is currently in Afghanistan.
I added millet for crunch, and it is also a source of iron.
Did you add the millet raw or cooked?
can i use quick oats?
I’ve always taken cliff bars and what not on my snowboarding trips, but these are way easier to eat, since they are bite size and taste way better. Next time I might use smooth peanut butter (I used crunchy, and I think 1/2 cup of crunchy was too little). Thanks for sharing! Superb!
Ali,
I have just made a life style change with my eating. I weigh in at my highest on May 9, 2012. I couldn’t believe it. I have lost a little over 50 lbs, I find out on Thursday when I weigh in. I am trying to find health snacks for me and my family and my sweet little grand daughter because I don’t want her to struggle with the issues of weight all her life like I have. I would love any recipes you would like to suggest.
thank you so much
Congrats to you on your weight loss! You should be very proud of that accomplishment!!
I have made these with dates as well. I through some dates in the food processor. Make a paste. Then add almond or peanut butter, coconut, flax seeds, walnuts, dried cherries, dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder. What ever yummy ingredients you like!
A scoop of protein powder makes these great after sport bites!
These were fantabulous! I just posted these bites to my blog with a link back to you. https://bit.ly/XUEfCq if you want to check it out. I’m going to try the pumpkin bites next! You have great recipes :) ~Tiffany
Hi just a note to let you know i have tryied your no-bake energy bits and they are so good… I can wait to do a new batch this time i am putting chuncks of dark chocolat and dried cranberries….
Ali, Can you freeze your no bake energy bites?
I did. I would just take out one or two when I wanted a sweet treat. Keep in a freezer safe baggie or container. I didn’t have a problem with them being to hard either. :)