No Bake Energy Bites

This no bake energy bites recipe will have everyone asking for more! Peanut butter, oatmeal and honey make the perfect easy snack.

There’s nothing better than a snack that tastes like a treat: and this recipe covers both. Try these No Bake Energy Bites! They taste like dessert, but they’re a simple combination of peanut butter, oats and honey. Of course, there’s a teeny hint of chocolate thrown in too! Compare them to store-bought energy bites, and there’s no comparison. The homemade version is extraordinarily delicious! Here’s how to make this delicious treat (er, snack).

Ingredients for no bake energy bites

These no bake energy bites take no time to put together and just a handful of ingredients. In fact, you might already have these in your pantry! (Except the mini chocolate chips, though you might already stock those, too.) Here’s what you need:

• Old Fashioned rolled oats
• Cocoa powder
• Mini chocolate chips
• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Creamy peanut butter (no sugar added, or tahini or sunflower butter for nut free)
• Honey (or agave syrup for vegan)
• Cinnamon and salt

Want a variation without cocoa powder or coconut? Go to our Peanut Butter Energy Balls.

How to make energy bites: some tips!

The consistency of the dough in these energy bites varies based on the texture of the peanut butter. It can also vary based on the rolled oats. Here’s what to know:

• Use very creamy peanut butter. We don’t recommend using super thick peanut butter or even almond butter, which can be very thick right out of the jar. Creamy PB is best for this one!
• Start with a little less oats. Follow the recipe below for quantities! If the dough feels stiff, you can proceed. If the dough feels pretty sticky, add the full amount of oats.
• Freeze, then adjust. Freezing the dough helps it set and become firm and rollable. If it’s not stiff enough add more oats; if it’s too crumbly add a hint more peanut butter and honey.

Variations: sunflower butter and tahini

Battling a peanut butter allergy? We know some classrooms and schools may not allow it due to allergies. Here are a few alternatives to peanut butter that work here:

• Sunflower butter: You can try sunflower butter, which is made from sunflower seeds. The flavor isn’t quite like peanut butter in a sandwich, but hidden by the other flavors here it can work.
• Tahini: Tahini is a great substitute for peanut butter, and it would be fantastic in these energy bites.

Cookie scoop is helpful but not required

When we make these no bake energy bites, we like to use a cookie scoop. Why? It makes for perfectly portioned balls. That’s why these pictures look so uniform! A cookie scoop is also great for making perfect cookies (yep!) and other things like Veggie Dippers.

• Use a #40 cookie scoop. This makes 1 1/2-inch balls that are 1 ½ tablespoons.
• Don’t have one? Here’s the #40 cookie scoop we use.

Storage info for energy bites

These energy bites are good right away after you make them: but even better if you refrigerate for about 1 hour to set the texture. After that, they store well! Here’s what to know:

• Homemade energy bites last up to 2 weeks refrigerated. They likely last even longer than that. You could freeze them if you like, but we haven’t tested this.
• Bites last at room temperature in lunches. They become stickier when they’re room temperature, but they should last in brown bag lunches.
• If transporting, you’ll want to wrap them. If you’re bringing them somewhere as a snack, wrap in plastic wrap. They become stickier as they get warmer, so eat as soon as you can.

More energy bars and snacks

Oats, peanut butter and honey make magic when it comes to snacking! Here are a few more tasty snacks you’ll love with this combination:

• Try these peanut butter oatmeal balls or no bake energy balls
• Make bars instead! Try oatmeal bars, peanut butter oatmeal bars or homemade granola bars
• Go for pecan energy bars or cashew energy bars

01

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

02

Homemade Granola Bars

03

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

04

Energy Balls (Peanut Butter Brownie!)

This no bake energy bites recipe is…

Vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, use agave syrup. For nut allergies, use sunbutter or tahini.

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