How To Make ENERGY BITES

These easy Energy Bites make the perfect healthy snack, made with whole grain oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and coconut. Make a big batch to have them on hand for any occasion!

We are ALL about healthy snacks that the whole family loves! Don’t miss our other favorites including: homemade applesauce, skinny banana bread, carrot muffins, and no-bake granola bars.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THESE ENERGY BALLS:

No Bake. This easy recipe takes about five minutes to throw together and you don’t even have to turn on the oven!
Store for weeks: They last in the fridge for 2 weeks, making them the perfect snack before a workout or for a busy morning when you don’t have time to make breakfast and forget to eat (story of my life)!
Adaptable: Have fun substituting your favorite ingredients! I’ll often include chopped almonds or substitute raisins or Craisins for the chocolate chips. I recently used butterscotch chips in place of chocolate and those were delicious too! The options are endless. You can also substitute a different type of nut butter in place of the peanut butter. If you have a child with nut allergies you could use sunflower butter.

INGREDIENTS IN ENERGY BITES:

Oats: This energy ball recipe is made with both rolled oats and steel cut oats, which add a fun crunch and an extra dose of healthy grains full of fiber and protein.
Coconut. Any kind, sweetened or unsweetened.
Crispy Rice cereal. Rice Krispies or an off brand work well.
Flax seeds: The flax seeds are a great source of omega-3, protein and fiber,
Peanut Butter: or your other favorite nutter butter!
Chocolate Chips. Because everything tastes better with a handful of chocolate chips.
Honey. This is (along with peanut butter) is the major binding ingredient. Add more honey if your energy balls seem dry or crumbly.
Vanilla

HOW TO MAKE ENERGY BITES:

1. Combine all ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients really well.

2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before forming into balls. (If the mixture isn’t holding together well enough you can add a little more nut butter or honey to help it bind).

3. Form energy balls. I like to use a cookie scooper to make 1-2 inch uniform balls and gently roll them with my hands. Spray your hands lightly with cooking spray for easier rolling.

2. Serve, refrigerate, or freeze. See more freezing directions below.

MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS:

To make ahead: Energy bites are a great make ahead snack. Make them weeks or months ahead of time and refrigerator or freeze. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks depending on freshness of your ingredients.

To freeze: Place energy balls into a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

ADAPTATIONS:

Add dried fruit: dates, raisins, anything you like.
Higher protein: If you’re looking for extra high protein energy bites, add 1 scoop of protein powder (any flavor) and about 1 tbs. more honey to ensure they aren’t dry or crumbly.
Add nuts: Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
Without flaxseed: Substitute the 1 cup of flaxseed with an extra 1/2 cup oats or cereal.

Ingredients

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
▢1 cup steel cut oats
▢1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
▢1 cup crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies or crushed rice chex)
▢1 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
▢1 cup ground flaxseed
▢2/3 cup chocolate chips
▢3/4 cup honey
▢2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before forming into 1-2 inch balls. (If the mixture isn't holding together well enough you can add a little more nut butter or honey to help it bind). Keep refrigerated for an easy snack on the go.
Feel free to include other "add-ins" like chopped almonds, raisins, etc

Notes

Make ahead Instructions: Make and roll the mixture into balls and store covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, depending on freshness of your ingredients.

Freezing Instructions: Make and instructed and store energy balls in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or at room temperature.

Variations:

Add dried fruit: dates, raisins, anything you like.
Higher protein: If you're looking for extra high protein energy bites, add 1 scoop of protein powder (any flavor) and about 1 tbs. more honey to ensure they aren't dry or crumbly.
Add nuts: Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
Without flaxseed: Substitute the 1 cup of flaxseed with an extra 1/2 cup oats or cereal.

Nutrition