These no bake energy bites are easy and the perfect snack! Made with only five ingredients and no baking required, these help keep everyone feeling full between meal.
My kids are big big fans of fruit. We go through a bag of apples, two bags of grapes, and two containers of strawberries in the blink of an eye. They also love to munch on crackers and fresh veggies. Really, as far as kids go, I have some pretty healthy eaters.
I also know that to keep them fuller longer, we have to squeeze some protein in there, and that is why I love these energy bites. They are simple to make, and I can attest to how the crush hunger. The other day I went for a run, so I was extra hungry, but it was still two hours until dinner. I had one of these no bake energy balls, and I was totally satisfied until dinner time.
My boys 4, 4, and 7 love them! I make them on Sunday and it starts their Monday off on a good note. It makes me feel like a rock star mom. Thank you for an easy recipe that my kids love!
Why This Energy Bites Recipe is Perfect
- Only five ingredients: These are only five ingredients, and you can easily keep all of them on hand.
- You can make these allergen free: These are naturally gluten-free (though you always want to double check your ingredients). They can be made nut free by swapping out the peanut butter for the replacement listed in the recipe card. Finally, if you use dairy free chocolate chips or swap them out for one our suggestions, they are dairy-free.
- These make a perfect snack: These are so easy to keep on hand, and they really do make a great snack.
How to Make Energy Bites
These come together in a snap! This is a brief overview of the recipe. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, be sure to find the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Mix everything together well with a large spoon, spatula, or clean hands.
- Form the mixture into one inch balls. You can see my recommendation for scooper below.
- Store them in an air tight container. These can be kept at room temperature for up to two weeks.
One Tablespoon Scoop
Ingredients in No Bake Energy Bites
As I mentioned, these are only five ingredients, so these oatmeal energy bites are perfect for busy parents.
- Quick Cooking Oats: The difference between quick cooking oats and rolled oats is the size. Quick cooking are smaller and so they work a little better for this recipe. You can take old fashioned oats and run them through your food processor for this recipe.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: If you have a nut allergy in your house, I’ve had readers have good results using Wow Butter as a replacement for peanut butter.
- Honey: Agave or maple syrup are great options to use in this recipe. Just use the same amount as is called for the honey.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: These are fantastic in this recipe, but I also have some healthier options listed below.
- Vanilla Extract
Variations on this Energy Ball Recipe
- Swap the chocolate chips out for something a little healthier. Some great options would dried cranberries or sunflower seeds.
- Add in some chia seeds or flax seeds. Both seeds add a lot of nutritional value. You can pull out 1/4 cup of the oats and put in 1/4 cup of chia seeds, flax seeds, or ground flax seeds.
- Swap the peanut butter for something else. Some great options would be almond butter or sunflower seed butter. As mentioned below if you have someone with a nut allergy in your house, Wow Butter works great here as an alternative to nut butter.
Storing and Freezing
Store these at room temperature in an air tight container for up to two weeks.
These also freeze really well. I recommend freezing them in a single layer for a few hours and then transferring them to an air tight container. They can be stored in the freezer for three months, and they will thaw very quickly once pulled out of the freezer.
Other Healthy Snack Ideas
- We love these Homemade Granola Bars.
- These Pickled Eggs are my favorite high protein snack.
- I’m obsessed with this recipe for Hummus.
If you make this amazing No Bake Energy Bite recipe or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Five Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats see note 1 (222.5 grams)
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter see note 2(202.5 grams)
- 1/4 cup honey see note 3 (84 grams)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips see note 4 (88.5 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined.
- Form into one inch balls. I like using a cookie scoop to form them into balls. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks or in the freezer for three months.
Notes
- If you only have old fashioned oats, you can run them through a food processor to break them down to the size of quick cooking oats.
- If you have someone in your house with a nut allergy, I have had readers have great success using Wow Butter here.
- Agave and maple syrup are also great options here.
- For a healthier option you can replace the chocolate chips with dried fruit like chopped dates, cranberries or raisins. Nuts and seeds are also a great idea. Sunflower seeds are the perfect size for energy bites.
Bethany says
This recipe has quickly become a family favorite. I just made a double batch today.
I chose to add dried cranberries as well for a little extra something.
Oooo, I love the idea of the cranberries! Thanks Bethany!
Sarah W says
Thoughts on using almond butter in lieu of peanut butter??
I would have to try it before I could say for sure, but I think it would be fine!
ashonti says
can you use maple syrup?
I haven’t tried maple syrup, but I think it will work fine!
Sharon Wood says
I made these Five Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites yesterday, they went like ‘hotcakes.’ I made a double batch thinking that they’ll last a few days, I was so wrong. I didn’t have quite all the ingredients so I subbed quick for rolled, mini chocolate chips for a few chocolate covered pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and regular chips.
The good thing about this recipe is diabetics can have 3 a day to meet dietary standards.
Thanks, Lisa
So happy to hear this!
Hannah says
I eyeballed my measurements and they weren’t staying together so I added in almond flour until I could form balls. Just a tip if you hate measuring lol!
Sarah W says
Oh my word!! Where have these been all my life? I made these today for the first time and I’m obsessed! Such a quick, relatively healthy snack! Thank you!
Mary says
I love this recipe. I add flax seeds to mine, and sometimes coconut. I keep mine in the freezer at home and at work. I love eating them cold.
Meika says
Could you use granola and cut oats to half?
I wouldn’t recommend that for this recipe. Granola is a lot drier than oats, and I’m worried they wouldn’t hold together.
Lucy Sanspariel says
like doing a easy and fast little thing with the kids age 10 an 4 for our snacks. ty
Melody Mackey says
Can you freeze these? If so how long are they good for?
These would freeze great! I would recommend flash freezing them in a single layer for an hour and then transferring them to an air tight container for up to 5 months.