No-Bake Energy Bites

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Looking for a quick and healthy snack? This no-bake energy bites recipe is packed with oats, nuts, and peanut butter, making it perfect for on-the-go breakfasts, lunchboxes, or an afternoon pick-me-up!

oat and nut energy bites on baking sheet

Every once in a while, I go on a health kick and, in dramatic fashion, purge our kitchen of all processed junk food. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for healthy eating isn’t shared by my kids, who come home from school starving, open the pantry, and yell, “Mom! There’s nothing to eat!” Enter these energy bites—they make a perfect on-the-go breakfast, lunchbox stuffer, or afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of coffee.

Made with oats, nuts, and peanut butter, they’re the kind of wholesome snack you can feel good about eating. Even though they’re no-bake, I like to toast the oats and nuts in a skillet before mixing them with the other ingredients. This quick step gives the oats a golden, toasty flavor and enhances the taste of the nuts. Finely chopped dates add natural sweetness and fiber, while their stickiness helps bind everything together.

For more wholesome options made with oats and nuts, be sure to check out my overnight oats, homemade granola, and granola bars—all packed with hearty, nutritious ingredients.

“Wow, these are delicious! Not to mention a great way for me to get a healthy protein energy boost during the day.”

Cynthia

What You’ll Need To Make Energy Bites

Energy bite ingredients including oats, peanut butter, and vanilla.
  • Quick-cooking oats: Provide a hearty base and texture to the bites.
  • Finely chopped pecans, walnuts, and/or almonds: Offer nutty flavor, crunch, and added protein.
  • Ground flaxseed or wheat germ: Boost nutritional value with fiber and healthy fats.
  • Ground cinnamon: Infuses the bites with a bit of warmth.
  • Creamy peanut butter: Acts as a binding agent while adding richness and protein.
  • Chopped dried dates: Bring natural sweetness and chewiness.
  • Honey: Adds sweetness and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor and adds depth.
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut: Provides texture, flavor, and a pretty coating for the bites.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

To begin, place the oats and nuts in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the oats turn slightly golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl and stir in the flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt.

Oats and nuts in a skillet.

Place the pan back on the stove over low heat. Add the peanut butter, dates, honey, vanilla, and water.

Peanut butter, dates, and other ingredients in a skillet.

Stir until evenly combined (you’re not “cooking” the mixture; warming it just makes it easier to combine).

Spatula stirring a peanut butter mixture in a skillet.

Using a rubber spatula, scrape the mixture into the bowl with the oats/nuts.

Peanut butter mixture in a bowl with oats and nuts.

Stir until evenly combined, then refrigerate the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.

Energy bite dough in a bowl.

Place the coconut in a shallow bowl. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls, then roll in the coconut to coat.

Balls of energy bite dough being rolled in coconut.

Place the balls in the refrigerator to set until cold, a few hours (or 45 minutes in the freezer).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can energy bites be made ahead?

Yes, you can definitely make these ahead of time. They store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Can you freeze energy bites?

Absolutely! They freeze nicely for up to 3 months. After they are completely cool, store in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove them from the container and let come to room temperature.

I have a tree nut allergy. What can I replace the nuts with?

You can easily replace the nuts in the energy bites with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Another option is crisp rice cereal (it doesn’t need to be toasted). Also, if you’re making these for someone with a peanut allergy, feel free to substitute a different nut or seed butter for the peanut butter.

oat and nut energy bites on baking sheet

You May Also Like

No-Bake Energy Bites

Looking for a quick and healthy snack? This no-bake energy bites recipe is packed with oats, nuts, and peanut butter, making it perfect for on-the-go breakfasts, lunchboxes, or an afternoon pick-me-up!

Servings: About 40 bites
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 20 Minutes, plus time to chill in the fridge or freezer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats (or old-fashioned oats, pulsed briefly in a food processor or blender to break them up)
  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans
  • ½ cup finely chopped walnuts or almonds
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or wheat germ (okay to substitute more oats or nuts)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Scant ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup finely chopped pitted dried dates, from 6 to 8 large dates
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¾ cup unsweetened finely shredded coconut, for rolling

Instructions

  1. Place the oats and nuts in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the oats turn slightly golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl and stir in the flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt.
  2. Place the pan back on the stove over low heat. Add the peanut butter, dates, honey, vanilla, and water. Stir until evenly combined (you're not "cooking" the mixture; warming it just makes it easier to combine). Using a rubber spatula, scrape the mixture into the bowl with the oats/nuts. Stir until evenly combined. Refrigerate the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
  3. Place the coconut in a shallow bowl. Roll the oat mixture into tablespoon-size balls, then roll in the coconut to coat. Place the balls in the refrigerator, uncovered, to set until cold, a few hours (or about 45 minutes in the freezer). The bites will keep in a covered container for up to a week in the refrigerator.
  4. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The energy bites can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely and store in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove them from the container and let them come to room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Serving size: 1 bite
  • Calories: 87
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Sodium: 31 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

See more recipes:

Comments

  • Wow these are delicious and definitely a keeper! Not to mention a great way for me to get a healthy protein energy boost during the day. Thanks Jenn.

    • — Cynthia Garofalo on July 3, 2023
    • Reply
  • I’ve made these a few times for my family and as a postpartum gift for friends with great feedback! Ground up graham cracker works really well as a coating for anyone who is not a fan of coconut and looking for an alternate 🙂

    • — Sarah on April 30, 2023
    • Reply
  • Made these exactly as recipe called for and they looked just like Jens. They were delicious! A great quick grab and go snack.. I haven’t been disappointed with any Once Upon a Chef recipes. Thank you so much

  • Great labor snacks!

    I made for the first time as a labor snack and they did not disappoint. I did freeze some so I’d not eat the whole thing before the birth and they still worked great!

    • Glad you like them and hope you’re enjoying the new addition to your family! 💗

      • Hi Jenn,
        I looove your recipes. I am hoping this question hasn’t been asked so that you are not repeating yourself!! Is it possible to make this in a food processor? Just maybe altering the fluids a bit so that I’m able to shape the balls?

        • — Sarah on October 6, 2023
        • Reply
        • So glad you like the recipes! I wouldn’t recommend using a food processor here — sorry!

          • — Jenn on October 6, 2023
          • Reply
  • Love all of the recipes on this site! First discovered Once Upon A Chef when making the rice crispy treats with Golden Grahams, which is the best! For these energy bites, would it be ok to directly add the coconut to the mixture rather than rolling the balls in coconut? Thank you for sharing all your great recipes!

    • So glad you like the recipes! I wouldn’t recommend adding the coconut to the mixture as I think it will make the bites dry. Also, the outside of the bites will be pretty sticky without the coconut coating. Sorry!

    • I added the coconut to the mixture and it worked fine. Outsides were not sticky.

      • — Marvin on November 9, 2023
      • Reply
  • Have you (or anyone) made these as bars? Wondering if I could press “dough” into a pyrex, sprinkle coconut on top, refrigerate and then cut into bars? Would save the step of rolling the balls… Thanks!!

    • Hi Melissa, I’ll let other readers weigh in too but although I’ve never made these as bars, I think you you could. I’d press them into an 8 x 8-inch pan and cut them into bars (although I can’t guarantee that they’ll hold together as well as the balls). I’d suggest lining the pan with parchment. I’d love to hear how they work out!

  • absolutely love it!!! soooo delish!! I add a drops of warm water as I was rolling ..just to find right sticky…..Thank You!!!!

    • Can you omit the dates… allergic

      • — Bob on December 5, 2023
      • Reply
      • Hi Bob, I wouldn’t omit them, but you could use any dried fruit (like prunes, apricots, or raisins) in place of the dates. Hope you enjoy!

        • — Jenn on December 5, 2023
        • Reply
  • Another good recipe! Easy to make and eat, delicious, and you can freeze it! My 20-month-old nephew also gave it his seal of approval. Thanks, Jenn!

  • Hi!
    I am looking forward to trying this recipe but wanted to know if i could omit ground flaxeed and substitite additional oats and can i put all ingredients in food processor instead of mixing on stove top?
    Thank you
    Yvonne Thomas

    • Sure, Yvonne, it’s fine to use additional oats in place of the flaxseed but I wouldn’t recommend a food processor here. Hope that helps and that you enjoy!

  • I love these Energy balls for a quick and healthy snack, it is an easy and forgiving recipe. My Energy balls don’t turn into the perfectly round and uniform coconut balls like Jenn’s but I am working on it and the misshapen sausage shapes I produce still taste wonderful. Don’t skip on browning the oats and nuts, I think this step really enhances the flavour. Another winner, thanks Jenn.

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