They look like cookie dough, taste better than a granola bar, and are incredibly simple to make. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, these No Bake Energy Bites are actually quite healthy too. Just don't tell my kids.
As I get older, every year I enjoy the fresh start that a New Year brings more and more. Building new routines, making good habits, embracing the possibility of what the year might hold. With that comes a bit of an itch for change. Small changes to keep us from getting in a rut.
Around the house, I moved some plants around, decluttered old clothes and toys, and freshened things up a bit. In our finances, I’ve been implementing a new budgeting plan to help make the very most of what we have, while minimizing stress. In our menu, I’ve been trying to be more mindful about planning new homemade snacks into our weekly menu in addition to our meals.
I have two toddlers who have voracious appetites and one in particular who has quite a sweet tooth these days post-holiday. These No-Bake Energy Bites are basically granola bar meets cookie dough and are infinitely adaptable to suit your tastes and what ingredients you have on hand. I’m including 4 varieties here, but using the basic ratios of this recipe, you could certainly adapt these really easily. Plus they’re ready in just minutes! Store them in the freezer and you’ve always got a quick, easy snack ready to grab at a moment’s notice.
The fact that they’re only sweetened naturally with maple syrup or honey, and adding in chia seeds and/or flax seeds places these No Bake Energy Bites firmly into the healthy snack category while still tasting like a cookie. Also, they’re very easily made gluten free, just be sure to check the labels of your ingredients carefully, particularly the oats. I’ve been buying my gluten free oats at Trader Joe’s recently, but they’re readily available in many stores and online. Although, if you’re at Trader Joe’s, stock up on nuts and a jar of cookie butter and you’ve probably already got the other ingredients in the pantry. Time to fire up the food processor and treat yourself!
PrintNo-Bake Energy Bites (4 Versions!)
Coconut Chocolate Chip, Maple Cinnamon Pecan, Nutella Hazelnut, and White Chocolate Cherry Almond. One method, Four amazing versions. All ready within minutes. These No Bake Energy Bites are going to be a new favorite snack in no time! Easily made gluten-free, adaptable to any taste or ingredient preferences, and a great source of fiber. Best of all, they're delicious!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Additional Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 balls 1x
- Category: Appetizers and Snacks
- Diet: GlutenFreeDiet
Ingredients
No-Bake Coconut Chocolate Chip Energy Bites
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey, more as needed
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
No-Bake Maple Cinnamon Pecan Energy Bites
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup, more as needed
- ¼ cup Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup cinnamon chips
- ¼ cup dry toasted pecans
No-Bake Cherry Almond Energy Bites
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup, more as needed
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
- ½ cup toasted sliced almonds
- ½ cup dried Montmorency cherries
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
No-Bake Hazelnut Nutella Energy Bites
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup honey, more as needed
- ¼ cup Nutella
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup toasted hazelnuts
Instructions
Pulse oats and coconut in a food processor until texture resembles coarse cornmeal. Add remaining ingredients and pulse again until thoroughly combined. Test the consistency by rolling into a ball. If mixture seems too dry, add a bit more honey or maple syrup and pulse again.
Shape into balls and arrange on a tray. Freeze 20 minutes until solid. Transfer to an airtight container. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 3 months.
Notes
This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free oats. Be sure to check the labels of all of your ingredients to ensure proper safety.
Keywords: snacks, healthy treat, quick snack, energy balls, energy bites,
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy these cookie dough balls (as my girls call them) as much as we do!
Sanya
Question, what would you recommend to replace the trader Joe's cookie butter? We don't have a trader Joe's here.
Mandy
Any nut butter would work great. Peanut butter, almond butter, totally up to you. Jif recently came out with a maple spread that's pretty tasty too!