No Bake Energy Bites

Published April 28, 2014. Updated April 11, 2019

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These No Bake Energy Balls have quickly become a reader favorite and a family favorite! They are so easy to make, they’re mostly healthy, and they are oh so delicious.

No Bake Energy Bites stacked in a white bowl

Healthy No Bake Energy Balls

Here’s a snack that passes as healthy but tastes good enough that it could replace your dessert! So who wouldn’t love these no bake protein balls?

Not to mention these no bake energy bites are quick and easy — and they require no cooking or baking of course (as long as you buy pre-toasted coconut, that is).

I could easily finish off the whole batch of energy bites myself. They are so addictive and they really do taste like a treat.

They remind me of something like a granola bar, or even peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough (can’t beat that!). They make for a filling snack or they are great for an on-the-go breakfast for those rushed mornings.

I love that they contain protein and fiber so they curb those afternoon munchies (you know around 4:00 when it’s like, is it dinner time yet?).

I also love that they are a great snack for my kids that’s made with healthy ingredients that they really do love, I’m not begging them to eat them — rather, they beg me to make these all the time!

Try them soon, once you do you’ll want to live on these no bake energy balls!

A close up of No Bake Energy Bites

No Bake Energy Ball Ingredients

  • Peanut butter
  • Honey
  • Vanilla extract
  • Old fashioned oats
  • Toasted shredded coconut
  • Ground golden flaxseed meal
  • Chocolate chips

How to Make Energy Balls

  • In a mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract.
  • Add the oats, coconut, flaxseed meal and chocolate chips and stir.
  • Chill the mixture for 30 minutes, or until it’s firmer.
  • Roll into bite-sized balls, then store in the fridge.

A close up of No Bake Energy Bites in a white bowl with a couple scattered beside it

Can I Use Instant Oats Instead of Old-Fashioned?

I think instant or steel cut oats would change the texture of these energy bites too much. Stick with old-fashioned oats for the best texture!

Is There a Flaxseed Meal Substitute I Can Use?

If you don’t have flaxseed meal on hand, I’d try using more oats instead. I’ve also had readers report success with sesame seeds or whole flaxseeds, though.

Can I Use Maple Syrup Instead of Honey?

Maple syrup would likely make the energy ball mixture a little looser. You could probably use maple syrup here, but you may need to add additional flaxseed meal to thicken the mixture enough to roll.

Tips for the Best Energy Balls

  • Don’t try to form the mixture into balls until you’ve let them chill. You need the honey and peanut butter to solidify slightly before you can easily roll them!
  • Unsweetened coconut can be used instead of sweetened, if desired. Just make sure to buy shredded coconut and not coconut flakes.
  • Keep these energy balls in the refrigerator, as they lose their shape if left on the counter.

An overhead shot of No Bake Energy Bites in a white bowl

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4.87 from 15 votes

No Bake Energy Balls

These No Bake Energy Balls have quickly become a family favorite! They are so easy to make, they're made with nutritious ingredients (and chocolate for good measure), and they are oh so delicious!!
Servings: 20 servings
Prep10 minutes
Ready in: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract. 
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir until evenly coated.
  • Transfer mixture to refrigerator or freezer and chill until mixture has firmed up a bit, about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from refrigerator and shape into 1-inch balls. 
  • Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Unsweetened coconut can be used instead of sweetened, if desired. Just make sure to buy shredded coconut and not coconut flakes.
  • Recipe Source: adapted from Smashed Peas and Carrots
Nutrition Facts
No Bake Energy Balls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 130 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 42mg2%
Potassium 102mg3%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 10IU0%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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205 Comments

  • Rachel

    Thanks for this recipe! My sister-in-law shared it with me and I have the mixture setting up in the fridge right now. I already tasted it and can’t wait to munch on the finished product! Yay! I have been needing a healthy yet sweet and fulfilling snack throughout the day. I’m pregnant with my 3rd child right now and my older two are 3 and 1 1/2. I need all the healthy energy I can get! ;)

  • Katie Smith

    I like the idea of these, but at 125 calories EACH (along with lots of sodium and sugar), yikes! I can think of healthier options that are larger portions and have just as many (or fewer) calories. I like the idea of them curbing hunger, but they might not be worth it. I made them before I figured out the nutrition facts, so I’ll still give them a try. I have a lot of excess peanut butter that needs to be used up! Haha.

  • Heatherlynn

    I’ve made something similar to this and used half enjoy life rice milk chocolate chips and half butterscotch chips! Yumm!!! Can’t wait to try this recipe. :)

    • Gina

      I decided to do some poking around–I used the myfitnesspal.com recipe nutrition calculator. There were lots of conversions back and forth (i.e. It asks to enter number of servings of an ingredient rather than quantity–for instance, the 1/2c PB is entered as 8 servings). I also searched their food database using the brands I keep in my own pantry, which will vary slightly for different people. In the end, estimating the recipe makes 20 balls, each is about 112 calories. They pack a punch! …if someone else tries this, would love to know if they got a wildly different figure.

    • Katie Smith

      125 when I added it to MyFitnessPal. I didn’t use any “low fat” types of ingredients, though.

  • Gina

    These are absolutely delicious! …Any idea what the rough calorie count is in each one?

  • Miranda

    I just made these tonight and they are awesome! So hard not to eat the whole batch in one sitting. I did however have a problem with shaping the batter into balls. At first, I had sticky messy hands and could not shape them. I decided to add a little bit more honey and then wet my hands. “Damp hands” is the way to go!

  • Lisa

    I had some wheat germ with cinnamon and milled flaxseed instead of plain flaxseed. Very tasty!

  • christina

    THESE ARE NOT GOOD!….. well they taste awesome but if you have no will power like me you will eat more than you should. I have reduced myself to mixing the ingredients in a small bowl instead of making the full recipe!