January 12, 2024
Review RecipeEnergy Balls
Table of Contents
These no-bake energy balls are quick and easy homemade snacks. These bite-sized snacks are made by combining yummy ingredients like oatmeal, creamy peanut butter, flaxseed, and shredded coconut to create little energy bites full of flavor.
Energy Bites Ingredients
These energy bites have a hearty texture from rolled oats, a tropical twist from shredded coconut, and a nutty complexity from ground flax seeds and sliced almonds. Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips add pockets of sweetness and richness.
To make these energy balls, you’ll need:
- ¾ cup of creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup of honey
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅔ cup of shredded coconut
- ½ cup of ground flax seeds
- ½ cup of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup of sliced almonds
Substitutions And Additions
OATS: You can use old-fashioned oats or quick oats for your bites.
PEANUT BUTTER: For extra crunch, try using crunchy peanut butter in place of creamy peanut butter.
You can also opt for various nut butter, such as almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter.
CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Any type of chocolate chips will work. Since the balls are pretty small, mini chocolate chips tend to work best.
You can use white chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate. Mini M&M’s are also a great option.
NUTS: You can replace the sliced almonds with any type of chopped nut. Pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or cashews would all be great in these.
SEEDS: For an extra burst of protein, chia seeds are a great addition to your energy bites. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are also nice crunchy choices.
PROTEIN POWDER: If you are looking for a boost of protein, you can add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the mix as well.
COCOA POWDER: I love adding cocoa powder to my energy bites since I’m a bit of a chocoholic!
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Since these energy bites freeze so well, they are the perfect recipe to make a double batch and freeze the second batch for later.
How To Make This Energy Bites Recipe
These energy bites are so easy to make. All you need to do is combine the ingredients and form the mixture into balls. Let’s dive in!
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, add peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
STEP TWO: Add old-fashioned oats, shredded coconut, ground flaxseed, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and sliced almonds.
Stir well to combine wet and dry ingredients.
PRO TIP:
If you find your dough is a bit dry, you can add a bit more honey or peanut butter.
STEP THREE: Cover the mixing bowl and place it in the refrigerator for one to two hours.
STEP FOUR: After the mixture has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and roll it into 1-inch balls.
PRO TIP:
A cookie scoop would be a great tool to help make your energy bites a uniform size.
Troubleshooting An Energy Bites Recipe
Troubleshooting a recipe for energy bites often involves addressing issues related to texture, taste, and binding.
Remember, the key to perfecting energy balls is often in the balance of wet and dry ingredients, and a little tweaking can make a big difference.
Here are some common problems and potential solutions:
Too Dry or Crumbly
If your energy balls are too dry and falling apart, it might be due to a lack of sticky ingredients. You can try adding more binding agents like honey or peanut butter.
Refrigerating the mixture for about 30 minutes before shaping can also help.
In addition, be careful not to over-process the ingredients if you’re using a food processor.
Too Sticky or Wet
If the mixture is too wet, add dry ingredients like oats, protein powder, or ground flaxseed to absorb the excess moisture.
Chilling the mixture in the refrigerator before rolling can also make it easier to handle.
Needs More Flavor
Enhance the taste by adding spices like cinnamon, vanilla extract, or a pinch of salt. These can significantly elevate the flavor profile.
Incorporating more dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates can also add natural sweetness.
How To Serve Energy Balls
As a Snack: These little energy bites are perfect for a quick snack on the go for mid-morning or afternoon. Pack them up and take them with you for a hike.
With a Lunch: Include them in a snack box with other healthy options like nuts, sliced fruits, and vegetables. This is great for work or school lunches
On a Charcuterie Board: Energy bites can be a unique addition to a charcuterie board, alongside cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
During Outdoor Activities: Energy balls are great for hikes, picnics, or any outdoor activity as they are portable and don’t require refrigeration.
As a Gift: Pack them in a nice box or jar, tie with a ribbon, and give them as a thoughtful, homemade gift.
With a Beverage: These bites go great with a hot cup of tea and coffee. They also pair equally well with cold drinks such as iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or our strawberry sweet tea.
MORE DESSERT RECIPES
Be sure to try our other favorite recipes for quick snacks that also have oatmeal, coconut, and peanut butter.
- Peanut butter no bake cookies are an easy recipe that doesn’t require any baking.
- These oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies are a classic delicious cookie recipe.
Storing These Easy Energy Balls
Now that you’ve whipped up a batch of these delectable energy bites, it’s essential to know how to store them to keep them fresh and ready to satisfy your cravings whenever hunger strikes.
STORING TIPS
- Energy balls can become too hard if stored in the fridge for too long. Let them sit at room temperature for a bit before eating.
- If they’re getting too dry, consider storing them in an airtight container to retain moisture.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re a planner, you’ll be delighted to know that these energy bites can be made ahead of time.
Once you’ve rolled them into bite-sized perfection, simply place them in an airtight container or a resealable bag.
Pop them into the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Making them in advance is perfect for meal prep or ensuring you have a quick, healthy snack on hand whenever you need it.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store these protein balls in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to one week.
IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, place peanut butter energy balls on a wax paper-lined baking sheet in the freezer for one to two hours.
After, move them to an airtight container or Ziploc bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
Why We Love This Recipe
EASY AND QUICK: This recipe is a breeze to make, requiring no baking and just a few simple steps. It’s perfect for busy individuals or families looking for a healthy snack option that can be prepared in no time.
NUTRIENT PACKED: These energy bites are loaded with wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, oats, flax seeds, and almonds.
They provide a boost of energy and are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and protein, making them a nutritious choice for both adults and kids.
CONVENIENT SNACKING: Once prepared, these bites are incredibly convenient for on-the-go snacking.
They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months and thawed out when you need them, making them a perfect snack for your busy life.
They’re portable, making them a fantastic option for school lunches, work breaks, or post-workout refueling.
Frequently Asked Questions
The great thing about energy ball recipes is how flexible they are. You can add lots of different ingredients to your mix based on your personal preference.
Rolled oats are perfectly safe to eat raw, especially when combined with other ingredients. Allowing the mixture to sit before forming into balls will soften the oats.
These peanut butter energy bites are a simple recipe and are packed with protein and nutrients. You can customize your protein bites with so many yummy extras.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Disney Churros
- Coconut Chocolate Balls
- Oatmeal Cake
- Crockpot Chex Mix
- Snickers Salad
- Baileys hot chocolate recipes
Energy Bites
Ingredients
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ⅔ cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup ground flaxseed
- ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
- Add old fashioned oats, shredded coconut, ground flaxseed, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and sliced almonds. Stir to combine.
- Cover bowl and place in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
- After the mixture has chilled remove from the refrigerator and roll into 1 inch balls.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
Video
Notes
- If you find your dough is a bit dry, you can add a bit more honey or peanut butter.
- A cookie scoop would be a great tool to help make your energy bites a uniform size.
- Since these energy bites freeze so well, they are the perfect recipe to make a double batch and freeze that second batch for later.
Nutrition
More Recipes We Love
Pumpkin Flavored Recipes
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix
- Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe
Comments
Gloria says
I like to make a batch of these to enjoy during the week.
Stephanie says
Can I use chia seeds instead of flax?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Stephanie – we haven’t tried that specific ingredient swap but I think it would work fine. Enjoy!