Energy Bites

Energy Bites – Easy, protein-packed granola balls that make the perfect snack or breakfast on-the-go (no baking required!).

We have a few different flavor variations — try these Chocolate Energy Bites, Oatmeal Energy Balls, or these Protein Breakfast Cookies next.

Energy Bites

Energy Bites are perfect for an on-the-go breakfast, quick snack, pre- or post-workout fuel, road trip treat, hiking fuel, or late-night snack. Or….all of the above!  You might find these pretty addicting and crave them all the time.

This is definitely not a bad thing since these are made with great nutritious ingredients! And because of the natural sweeteners, healthy fats, and overall protein content, Energy Bites can keep you satiated and quell some sugar cravings.

Ingredients

• Oat Flour: Simply blend some oats up until they’re fine like flour. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free oats.
• Creamy Peanut Butter:Feel free to use your favorite creamy peanut butter. If you go for natural peanut butter and it seems too runny, just mix in a little extra oat flour to ensure the energy balls hold together nicely.
• Honey: The best natural sweetener. If you feel like your mix is too dry add in a little more honey.
• Vanilla Extract: Makes everything taste better.
• Salt: Adjust the amount based on whether your peanut butter is salted.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: Use for a great chewy texture. You can use extra old-fashioned oats to make the oat flour!
• Coconut Flakes & Chocolate Chips: Totally optional but you can toast the coconut for added flavor. Feel free to swap or skip them. Try using mini M&Ms instead of chocolate chips for a fun twist like in these Energy Bars.

How to make these treats

One of the great things about this recipe is its simplicity. No baking or stove-top required!

1. Combine peanut butter, honey, salt, and vanilla (see” quick tip” below).
2. Mix until smooth.
3. Add oat flour (blended regular oats), coconut, chocolate chips, and old-fashioned oats.
4. Mix until combined, and then roll into balls and enjoy these tasty Energy Bites!

 Variation Ideas

Energy Bites are very adaptable. As long as you can get a consistency that holds together as a granola ball, you’ll be golden.

• Swap out peanut butter for different nut butter if you have allergies. Other nut butters can be drier than peanut butter — you’ll know you need more if the mixture is crumbly and not coming together nicely. Add additional nut butter slowly; use 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
• Switch sweeteners. Instead of honey, try maple syrup or agave nectar instead. To make these Energy Bites vegan, you’ll want to use agave or maple syrup.
• Change up the chocolate. Use coarsely chopped dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet miniature chocolate chips for more nutritious energy bites.
• Alternatively, replace the chocolate chips with a different mix-in (think finely nuts, chopped craisins, toffee chips, or extra coconut).
• Replace the oat flour with flaxseed or wheat germ.

Energy Bite Tips

• Since there can be great variations in specific ingredients (especially peanut butter), you may need to add a bit more oats or a bit more peanut butter/honey to the mixture.
  • If the mixture is too wet and sticky (and not rolling nicely into a ball), add a few more oats and re-mix everything. If the mixture is too dry (and crumbling), add more peanut butter and/or honey and re-mix everything until you can easily roll the balls.
• Allow time for the oats to absorb the liquid. If these Energy Bites seem too moist, let them sit for a few minutes; they will continue to firm up as the oats and oat flour absorb the honey and peanut butter.

Energy Bites FAQs

More Wholesome Snack Recipes

• Gluten-Free Zucchini Muffins without refined sugars
• Healthy Breakfast Cookies no baking required
• Homemade Protein Bars almond-coconut flavored
• Overnight Oats four different recipes!
• Lemon Blueberry Bread made with Greek yogurt

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5 from 4 votes

Energy Bites*

By Chelsea Lords

Energy Bites – Easy, protein-packed granola balls that make the perfect snack or breakfast on-the-go (no baking required!).

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Chilling Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 23 -24 large energy bites

Ingredients  

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• ▢ 1/2 cup (56g) oat flour (blend up regular oats until they reach a flour consistency)
• ▢ 1/2 cup (125g) creamy peanut butter (we use Skippy)
• ▢ 1/3 cup (106g) honey
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt Note 1
• ▢ 1 cup (101g) old-fashioned oats, (do not use quick or steel-cut oats)
• ▢ 2/3 cup (41g) toasted coconut flakes
• ▢ 1/2 cup (90g) miniature chocolate chips

Instructions 

• BLEND UP OATS: In a regular food processor or blender, add in some old-fashioned oats and pulse until the mixture resembles flour. Measure to get 1/2 cup and you'll have oat flour! 
• WET INGREDIENTS: In a large bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until smooth.
• DRY INGREDIENTS: Right on top of the wet ingredients, add in the oat flour, old-fashioned oats, toasted coconut flakes, and miniature chocolate chips. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a touch more peanut butter and/or honey. If it is too moist, add more oats and re-stir.
• ROLL: Once ingredients are chilled, roll and compress the mixture into even-sized balls. Once rolled, refrigerate to fully firm up (~15 minutes) and then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or freeze (see next step).
• FREEZE: To freeze, space the energy balls on a lined plate or tray in the freezer. Once firm (about 1-2 hours), transfer to an airtight bag or freezer container. They'll last up to 6 months in the freezer. To thaw: Simply pull one out and let it stand for about 15-30 minutes. You could also pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. When these bites are completely frozen through they are very hard to eat, but don't feel like you need to completely thaw them before eating -- we enjoy them still a bit frozen, they're delicious that way!

Video

Recipe Notes

*To ensure these Energy Bites are gluten-free, confirm your oats are certified gluten-free and all other ingredients were produced in a gluten-free facility.

Note 1: Depending on the peanut butter used, you may want to adjust the amount of salt used. If you're using peanut butter with no salt added, you may want to add a touch more salt to the mixture. On the flip side, if you're using salted peanut butter or are sensitive to salt, don't add additional salt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.5g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 23.5mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 4.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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