8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (2024)

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By Melissa

5 from 8 votes

on Jan 04, 2021, Updated Mar 04, 2024

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8 simple no bake oatmeal energy ball recipes that you will love to make and snack on! Full of healthy whole food ingredients and so easy to make. Make a double batch, you won’t regret it!

8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (2)

Table of Contents

  • Oatmeal Energy Bites
  • 8 No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls Recipe

Oatmeal Energy Bites

We LOVE energy balls, and I have been making them pretty much non-stop this year. It’s an easy thing for the kids to grab out of the fridge, they travel great, they are so easy to make, and they taste like a cookie. These are going to become a fast family favorite in your house too – that I guarantee!

These are a great, easy, budget-friendly whole food snack you are going to make again and again. If you feel like your kids are constantly asking for food, you are going to love these. Best. Snack. Ever!

8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (3)
8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (4)

Here’s how you make energy bites:

  1. Add the peanut butter and honey to a small bowl and mix them up.
  2. Add the oats and other “mix-in’s” the recipe card has 8 different “recipes” for you to try and tips on how to try your own combinations!
  3. Mix everything together well.
  4. Let the mixture chill.
  5. Form into balls (about 10 to 12 per recipe).
  6. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for about a week.
  7. We loves these for easy breakfasts, snacks, and additions to lunches. They make the perfect little afternoon or nighttime treat.
8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (5)

Here are my favorite energy bite recipes:

I love that these are well balanced in fat, protein, fiber, and just the right amount of sweet.

  • Sweet and Salty
  • Blueberry Muffin
  • Peanut Butter Cookie
  • Vegan Banana
  • Monster Cookie
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
  • Double Chocolate
  • Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

All of these recipe are included in the recipe card! My personal favorite is the blueberry muffin version (I get small dried wild blueberries from Trader Joe’s) and my kids love the Monster Cookie oatmeal balls (because mini M&M’s…). I can’t wait for you to try them all an pick a favorite too.

8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (6)

Here’s a video on how making oatmeal bites should go!

More healthy snack recipes:

  • 10 Healthy Snacks You Can Prep in Advance
  • 8 Simple Healthy Smoothie Recipes
  • Homemade Granola Bar Recipes
  • 9 Date Energy Bites Recipes Everyone Needs
  • Extra Protein Oatmeal Bites (here’s how to add protein powder or collagen to oatmeal bites!)

8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (7)

5 from 8 votes

8 No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls

By: Melissa Griffiths

8 simple variations to my favorite no bake oatmeal energy ball recipes that you will love to make and snack on! Full of healthy whole food ingredients and so easy to make.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10 balls

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Ingredients

Monster Cookie Energy Bites

  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
  • 1/4 cup mini M&M’s
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Blueberry Muffin Energy Bites

  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/4 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup dried blueberries
  • dash of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites

  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Sweet and Salty Energy Bites

  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/4 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup crushed pretzels
  • 1/4 cup chopped roasted salted almonds
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Peanut Butter Cookie Energy Bites

  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Energy Bites

  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/4 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup toasted coconut
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Double Chocolate Energy Bites

  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Vegan Banana Oatmeal Bites

  • 1 ripe, but not grossly ripe medium banana
  • 1 cup dry oats, (old fashioned, instant, or a mix of the two)
  • 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips, (or something similar), optional

Instructions

For the Energy Bites (first seven sets of ingredients)

  • Add the nut butter and honey and stir to combine well. Add the all of the other ingredients and stir to combine well.

  • Refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes.

  • Use a spoon to scoop about a tablespoon of the cookie ball mixture into your hand. Roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture. This should make about 12 oatmeal energy balls.

  • Store the balls covered in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for much longer.

For the Banana Oatmeal Bites:

  • In a medium bowl, add the peeled banana and mash thoroughly with a fork.

  • Add the dry oats and chocolate chips and stir to combine.

  • Refrigerate until the mixture holds together, about 30 minutes.

  • Use a spoon to scoop about a tablespoon of the cookie ball mixture into your hand. Roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture. This should make about 12 oatmeal energy balls.

  • Store the balls covered in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for much longer.

Video

Notes

Tips and Tricks for Making No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls

  • Rest time is a must. Don’t skip the resting time. This is when the oats will absorb some of the moisture and will help everything stick together.
  • Don’t over measure your oats or add-in’s (don’t use heaping cups). It’ll throw off the ratios and they won’t stick together well.
  • If your oatmeal bites aren’t sticking together well, add something sticky. Different factors like the kind of oatmeal and mix-in’s you add are going to affect the “stickiness” of the energy balls. If they are too dry and won’t stick together after the resting time, your best bet is to add a tablespoon or two of something sticky (like the peanut butter and/or honey).
  • If they are too sticky add a few more tablespoons of oats.
  • If it’s sticking to your hands badly, wet your hands lightly with water! The water helps to be able to work the dough into a ball without sticking.
  • Add what you love. Don’t let my recipes stop you from adding what you think sounds good or what you might have on hand; these are just to get you started. You can also add some “superfoods” to these if you are looking to boost the nutrition (always a good idea, if you ask me). A tablespoon of chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and/or hemp hearts can be added to any and all of these recipes. Play with them! I’m going to make some with dried pineapple and cashew butter soon, because we love the stuff.

Substitutions:

  • When it comes to the oats: Did you know that quick cooking oats are still a whole grain? Unlike other “instant” kind of things, quick cooking oats are simply cut smaller. If you use quick cooking oats (sometimes called 1-minute oats), the texture of the oats will be softer/less chewy. If you use old-fashioned oats, the texture will be chewier. I found that a mix of the two was the best, though using one or the other will work well too.
  • When it comes to the honey: I did not do much recipe testing using anything other than honey. If you would like to experiment, I think that agave or brown rice syrup might be a good place to start, though I didn’t work with either.
  • When it comes to the peanut butter: You can use peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, pecan butter, sunbutter, and just about any other nut butter that you like, though it will change the flavor of the oatmeal energy balls. I like to use almond butter when I don’t want the flavor of the nut butter to be very strong (like peanut butter). It worked great in recipes like the Blueberry Muffin No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls because the flavor is a bit more mellow than peanut butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Monster Cookie Energy Bites, Calories: 136kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 341mg, Potassium: 65mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 22IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Tips and Tricks for Making No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls

  • Rest time is a must. Don’t skip the resting time. This is when the oats will absorb some of the moisture and will help everything stick together.
  • Don’t over measure your oats or add-in’s (don’t use heaping cups). It’ll throw off the ratios and they won’t stick together well.
  • If your oatmeal bites aren’t sticking together well, add something sticky. Different factors like the kind of oatmeal and mix-in’s you add are going to affect the “stickiness” of the energy balls. If they are too dry and won’t stick together after the resting time, your best bet is to add a tablespoon or two of something sticky (like the peanut butter and/or honey).
  • If they are too sticky add a few more tablespoons of oats.
  • If it’s sticking to your hands badly, wet your hands lightly with water! The water helps to be able to work the dough into a ball without sticking.
  • Add what you love. Don’t let my recipes stop you from adding what you think sounds good or what you might have on hand; these are just to get you started. You can also add some “superfoods” to these if you are looking to boost the nutrition (always a good idea, if you ask me). A tablespoon of chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and/or hemp hearts can be added to any and all of these recipes. Play with them! I’m going to make some with dried pineapple and cashew butter soon, because we love the stuff.

Tips on Substitutions:

  • When it comes to the oats: Did you know that quick cooking oats are still a whole grain? Unlike other “instant” kind of things, quick cooking oats are simply cut smaller. If you use quick cooking oats (sometimes called 1-minute oats), the texture of the oats will be softer/less chewy. If you use old-fashioned oats, the texture will be chewier. I found that a mix of the two was the best, though using one or the other will work well too. I love Bob’s Red Mill organic oats for this recipe.
  • When it comes to the honey: I did not do much recipe testing using anything other than honey. If you would like to experiment, I think that agave or brown rice syrup might be a good place to start, though I didn’t work with either.
  • When it comes to the peanut butter: You can use peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, pecan butter, sunbutter, and just about any other nut butter that you like, though it will change the flavor of the oatmeal energy balls. I like to use almond butter when I don’t want the flavor of the nut butter to be very strong (like peanut butter). It worked great in recipes like the Blueberry Muffin No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls because the flavor is a bit more mellow than peanut butter.

Ohhh I can’t wait for you to make these no bake oatmeal bites to enjoy with your family. When you do, I’d love to know which recipe you made and if you made more than one, which was your favorite! Enjoy from my kitchen to yours!

About Melissa

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8 No Bake Energy Ball Recipes You Have to Try! (2024)

FAQs

Are energy balls actually healthy? ›

No bake energy balls are a perfect healthy snack, treat, and breakfast on the go. They are balanced with healthy fats, fiber, and protein. Energy balls for runners, kids, grandma, and anyone between!

How many protein balls can you eat a day? ›

Protein balls make a stellar high protein snack, but they shouldn't replace full meals. As a guideline, two Peanut Butter Cacao Protein Balls make a serving and can be eaten once or twice per day to give you an energy boost without going over the top.

Why are my energy balls not sticking together? ›

If you have trouble getting the energy balls to hold together, I recommend adding in more peanut butter to make the mixture a bit more sticky. Or if you would rather, you can also just press the mixture into a square baking dish to make flat energy bars instead of round energy balls.

How many energy balls should you eat a day? ›

These 4-ingredient protein balls have about 128 calories so you should only eat 2 of these as part of a healthy amount of calories and fat. Keep in mind that you need to consider all the foods consumed in a day and keep it within the acceptable range for your height and weight.

Do energy balls really give you energy? ›

Making your own energy balls is quick and super easy, they act as a great snack when your stomach needs an extra boost. Most energy balls have a combination of protein, carbohydrates, fibre and healthy fats which make them the perfect pick me up throughout the day.

What is inside an energy ball? ›

Inside the Energy Ball is an open circuit. By touching both sensors, the circuit closes and electrons flow through your body or another material such as a paper clip. Materials that activate the Energy Ball are good conductors, meaning they pass electrons easily.

Do energy balls give you energy? ›

No Bake Energy Bites are exactly what they sound like – they are a whole snack made with 6 ingredients all rolled up into a ball to give you plenty of energy as a mid-day snack. They are full of protein, fiber and good fats which will keep you feeling satiated and staying away from processed packaged snacks.

Is peanut butter healthy? ›

Peanut butter is a classic treat for all ages. The right kind, enjoyed in moderation, can be a nutritious part of a healthy diet. Peanut butter provides healthy fats, protein, and fiber. It's also rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, niacin, and magnesium.

Are oats high in protein? ›

Oat protein. Oat is considered to be a potential source of low cost protein with good nutritional value. Oat has a unique protein composition along with high protein content of 11–15 %.

Can I eat protein 3 times a day? ›

Research has found that spreading protein evenly across three meals per day can help adults increase their muscle strength. 6 If you're vegetarian or vegan and still concerned about your protein needs, a dietician can make a meal plan to help you consume a sufficient amount.

What are high protein snacks for sweet teeth? ›

High-protein desserts like cottage cheese ice cream, Greek yogurt bark, and honey-roasted nuts, can help satisfy your sweet tooth while providing your body with a good source of filling protein and other important nutrients. Try out one of these desserts the next time you're craving something sweet.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats? ›

When it comes to the two types you probably already have in your kitchen—rolled oats and quick oats—you can use them in recipes interchangeably. If you need quick oats, but only have rolled oats, just pulse the rolled oats a few times in the blender to get the textural effect your recipe needs.

Are protein bites good for you? ›

By snacking on protein bites instead of sugary sweets, they are the perfect healthy alternative whenever you get hungry throughout the day. Provides An Energy Boost: The protein, healthy fats, and fiber in the nut butter energy balls pack the perfect punch when you need an energy boost to start your day off right.

How healthy are bounce protein balls? ›

Bounce balls are a great snack choice for individuals looking to achieve a healthy balanced diet due to their composition of healthy fats from nuts and seeds, low to medium GI carbohydrates from brown rice and quality protein from whey/pea and brown rice. Bounce products are also a good source of fibre.

Are protein balls healthy? ›

Protein balls (or bliss balls, if you prefer) are great on-the-go snack if you're trying to eat healthily or looking to lose weight. Filled with fiber-rich and protein-packed ingredients like oats, dates and nuts, they'll keep you fuller for longer – plus you don't need protein powder to make them.

How much sugar is in energy balls? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 17
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 9g18%
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