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.
Mary Ann says
Why don’t these stick together? I did the recipe as stated.
I don’t ever have trouble with these sticking together with the ratios listed. But! If you are having trouble, I would try just adding a little more honey and a little more peanut butter.
Mary Ann says
These did not turn out well for me. Too dry and didn’t hold together much. Would not make again.
I’m so sorry that these didn’t work out for you. I know you mentioned that you would not make them again, but it sounds like the issue was just slightly off ratios. Next time you could add a pinch more peanut butter and a pinch more honey to pull them together.
Tera-Lee says
They were too dry for me also so I just altered them a little. I added extra stuff too like coconut, flaxseed and chia seed so I also added more peanut butter, more honey and coconut oil
Yup, with those added dry ingredients, it would need more to hold it together.
Sonja says
These were delicious I substituted almond butter and almond extract Added chopped walnuts and a pinch of salt. Will make again.
I’m so glad to hear you liked these!
Kelly Ewart says
The no bake energy bars how many calories do they have in them
Hi Kelly! You can find nutritional information on my recipes at the bottom of the recipe card by clicking the little down arrow. These have 137 calories per energy bite if you make them the same size as is indicated in the recipe.
Judy Griffith says
Could you use granola in place of oatmeal
I really like granola better
I would really need to test to figure out a way to make that work. Granola pieces are much much bigger than regular oats, so I think it would be difficult to roll them into balls.
Wendy Frederick says
Mine come out a little different each time I make them do I adjust accordingly. Usually add more honey and/or peanutbutter. Out if all the recipes of these on here, we like these the best. Always make a double batch and freeze them. Thanks for the great recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoy these!
Sara says
They were a crumbly mess. Doubled the amount of peanut butter and vanilla and they turned out much better. I would have added more honey too but I ran out. They tasted great!
Hi Sara, I’m pretty surprised to hear this! These measurements work out great for me every time. I can totally appreciate maybe needing a teaspoon or two more of peanut butter, but double tells me something else was off.
Lanie Mae says
Made them as the recipe, and they were delish! I did see where people were saying they were dry or crumbly, I found that “squishing” into a ball rather than rolling worked great. Will be making again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed these!
Sadie says
Great snack! I make these weekly!
I’m so glad you like them!