This No-Bake Protein Energy Bites recipe has become one of our all-time favorite snacks in the family! They are easy-to-make energy bites that taste like a Chocolate Chip oatmeal cookie. Packed with protein and loaded with feel-good ingredients.
This No-Bake Protein Energy balls recipe is the easiest to make and it is so tasty. Who doesn’t love desserts that don’t need baking and are energy boosters? They are super fun to make even the kids will love them. Made with 5 simple pantry staple ingredients and can easily be made without the protein powder too! Perfect as a snack, a quick energy boost in the morning for breakfast on the go, or a fun and healthy dessert. Combining oatmeal, peanut butter, honey, protein powder, and chocolate chips will give you these tasty oatmeal protein balls.
Why you should make it
- Best healthy snack: These energy bites are packed with good-for-you ingredients. From the added protein to healthy fats, and good fiber. What more can we ask for?
- Needs only a handful of ingredients: We bet you already have the ingredients needed for these healthy energy balls. Swap the protein with more oats or some almond flour. No-hassle.
- So tasty: If the kids love these energy bites, then it means they are a winner! Packed with peanut butter and chocolate flavor that will keep your taste buds satisfied.
Ingredients you will need
- Rolled oats: also known as old-fashioned oats, you may also use quick oats if that is all you have on hand.
- Whey Protein: A vanilla flavor works great. Any type of protein powder will work. Casein or plant-based will be fine.
- Natural peanut butter: Don’t like peanut butter? Use any other nut butter.
- Honey: you can swap this with maple syrup or agave. Honey is stickier though, so refer to our notes* section for tips.
- Mini chocolate chips: use dairy-free for vegan-option, or sugar-free.
- Water: This is only needed if your mixture is a bit dry, you may add a bit more honey instead.
How to make protein energy bites
- Place the protein powder, oats, peanut butter, and honey in a large bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water and stir until a stiff dough forms. If the mixture is too dry, add the additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Take tablespoons-sized pieces of dough and roll them into balls. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment.
- Roll the remaining dough into balls.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes, then serve. Store in the refrigerator
Frequently asked questions
The rolled oats you use to make energy bites recipes are ok to be eaten raw. They are not crunchy like it seems and it is completely ok to eat. They sort of soften up when combined with the honey or maple syrup along with the water and peanut butter. The bottom line is oats are safe to be consumed uncooked.
Yes! Energy bites are packed with nutrients and made with good-for-you ingredients like oats and peanut butter. They are high in fiber, high in protein, packed with healthy fats, and healthy carbs. They will give you that energy boost your body needs without leaving a negative impact.
Energy bites are typically not made with any eggs and dairy to worry about it going bad. They can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge in a sealed container.
Energy bites can be enjoyed throughout the day as a snack or dessert. But it is best to eat them in the morning for an energy boost, or as a pre-workout snack before heading to the gym.
Recipe notes and tips
- Keep in mind that honey is thicker and sticker when compared to maple syrup or agave. So if you are going to use any sweetener other than honey, then you may not need to add a bit of water. And if you find that your dough is still a bit sticky, add either more oats or more protein powder.
- If you do not have rolled oats, then use quick oats. When making any changes to the recipe, you may need to adjust it somehow to compensate for the change. If the dough is sticky, you will need to add some more quick oats. Just add a little bit at a time.
- Any protein powder will work. Don’t want to add protein? Swap it with some ground flax seed, some almond meal, or almond flour.
- Consider adding 1 tablespoon of chia seeds.
- The peanut butter can be swapped with any nut butter you have on hand. It doesn’t have to be peanut butter.
Storing energy bites
- These energy bites are best served chilled. You may store them in a sealed container on your kitchen counter for a day, and then you may transfer them to the fridge for up to 14 days.
- You may freeze for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw in the fridge the night before.
More energy Bites rEcipes
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
- Cookies and Cream Energy Bites
- No-Bake Monster Cookies Energy Bites
- Double Chocolate Chips Dates Energy Bites
- Birthday Cake Protein Bites
- Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bites
Dessert Recipes you may like
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Greek Yogurt Chia Pudding
- Keto Pecan Brittle
- Banana Protein Donuts
- Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip
- Healthy Cowboy Cookies
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No-Bake Protein Energy Bites
Equipment
- Bowl
- measuring cups
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Rolled oats
- 2 Scoops Whey Protein Vanilla flavor works great
- ½ Cup Natural peanut butter
- ¼ Cup Honey
- 1/3 Cup Mini chocolate chips
- 2-3 Tbsp Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place the protein powder, oats, peanut butter, and honey in a large bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water and stir until a stiff dough forms. If the mixture is too dry, add the additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Take tablespoons sized pieces of dough and roll into balls. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment.
- Roll the remaining dough into balls.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes, then serve. Store in the refrigerator
Video
Notes
- 1 Protein Ball per serving
- Nutritional facts: Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
- Allow cooling in the fridge for 20-30 mins
Marnie Emes says
Can I make ahead and freeze? Then take them out the night before a sporting activity?
Rena Awada says
I haven’t tested it. But I believe it should work
Alecia says
I need help, my balls are dropping the chocolate chips out of them! It tastes good! But they won’t stay in the balls when I form them. The chipits look very shiny I am guessing from the adams peanut butter.
I am in Canada and these are the ingredients I used. Presidents choice organics quick oats (they look fine compared to normal whole oats). Adams peanut butter, BeeMaid raw honey, and regular chocolate chipits, and vital proteins collagen peptides I put three tablespoons of water in the mixture and it’s more wet than dry. So I thought I would add more adams peanut butter and it didn’t work.
Did I do something wrong?
Rena Awada says
You may have to add more peanut butter. I wonder whats causing that to happen
Poppy says
Sounds like too dry and not tacky enough for sure! I just made them and used Banana protein, Dark cocoa powder and 5 nut butter from Costco and very nice!
Alecia says
Do you use raw honey or regular honey? And do you use dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips?
Rena Awada says
both honeys work just fine. Most of the times i use semi-sweet chocolate chips because my kids arent too fond of dark but you can definitely use dark chocolate chips
Alecia says
Thank you! I have one more question, can you freeze them in foodsaver bags and if yes how long will they last in a freezer?
Rena Awada says
Yes you can
Susana says
Can I substitute allulose for the honey? Also, is it ok if the only protein powder I have is not whey? Should I use one of the recommended substitutes instead? I love your page, by the way! So many great ideas and everything I’ve tried has been a hit with the fam. Thanks for keeping us healthy 🙂
Rena says
allulose is fine. Any sticky liquid to help with binding. And yes any protein powder works
Melanie says
How come there is more carbs in as protein in nutrition value?
Susan says
These were good! I put the mix into an 8×8″ pan, pressed smooth with a little sprinkling of finely shredded coconut. Cut them into squares instead of he balls.
Rena says
How creative! I love it
Andrea says
Are these kid friendly?
Rena says
Yes. My kids love them and we make them all the time.
Karla says
Hello! Can I use vegan protein?
Rena says
Yes Vegan protein works just fine.
Louise-Andrée says
EASY, HEALTHY and DELICIOUS ! It will become part of our healthy snacks favorite recipes !!!
I used almond butter instead of peanut butter.
Do you think I could use maple syrup instead of honey ?
Rena says
You can yes!
Marie says
Are those macros per one ball?
Rena says
Yes.
Ray Marks says
This recipe tastes amazing! I used 1/4 cup of soy protein, almond butter instead of peanut butter, small vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips, and I would say I have a new sweet treat to fix…weekly. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try more recipes you have listed.
Rena says
Amazing substitutes. Thanks for the feedback
Sadaf says
Hey is it okay to use chocolate flavor protein powder and how long can we store them ?
Rena says
Yes. Any protein will work. Store in a sealed container in fridge for up to 7 days
Jennje says
If I don’t like peanut butter what should I replace with?
Rena says
You can use any nut butter.
Melany Carbonell says
What can I substitute the protein with?
Rena says
Hi. You can add either oat flour, coconut flour, or almond flour
ELEANORA TURNER says
can you use unflavored whey
Rena says
Yes you can
Ingrid says
Rena,
Just made these and wow! They are great.
I would like to know if they have to be refrigerated? I ask because all of the ingredients except the chips are room temp.
Thanks.
Rena says
Hi. That’s awesome. They don’t need to be refrigerated. But they preserve better and last longer if you store in an airtight container and store in the fridge. But it’s not necessary.
Vanitha says
Hi Rena,
How you store them and what’s the shelf life?
Rena says
Hi. Store them in a sealed container in the fridge. shelf life is 5-7 days in the fridge. They don’t necessarily go bad after that but will not taste as fresh.
Jen Gale says
Can I use another nut butter other than peanut butter? I’m allergic
Rena says
Yes. Any nut butter will work
Jhj says
Could you tell me the size of the “scoop” of whey protein that you are using in your recipes:
No-Bake Protein Energy Bar and
Protein Peanut Butter Cups?
They look yummy, can’t wait to try them!
Thank you
Rena Awada says
I measured it once and it was pretty close to 1/4 cup
Sadaf says
Can i replace honey with maple syrup?
Rena says
Yes.
Pietro says
Ok so i made this and my guess is… my paladar is not familiar with “peanut butter” hahaha, anyways, had a good instagram photo lol
Rena says
Tag or DM us to see the photo!
Sadaf says
Hey can i add few sunflower seeds ?
Rena says
Hi. You sure can
Hansa says
Hi i cannot eat peanut butter. Dyu have an alternative to peanut butter
Rena says
Hi, You can try any other nut butter.
Aj says
How much are 2 scoops of protein powder?
Rena says
Hi there. I measured the scoop I was using and 2 scoops were almost 1 cup I would say measure 1/4 (3 times)