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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.
You may also love my brownie protein bites or my oatmeal cookie dough bites.
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 five simple pantry staple ingredients, it 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 added protein to healthy fats and good fiber.
- 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.
This is just a list of ingredients you are going to need. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.
How to make protein energy bites
Step 1: Place the protein powder, oats, peanut butter, and honey in a large bowl.
Step 2: Using a spatula, mix the ingredients to combine. If the dough is dry, Add two tablespoons of water and stir until a stiff dough forms.
Step 3: Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 4: Mix again to combine the chocolate chips and dough.
Step 5: Take tablespoons-sized pieces of dough and roll them into balls. Place on a sheet pan or bowl. Roll the remaining dough into balls.
Step 6: 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. So yes, it is ok to eat uncooked oats.
Energy bites do not have any dairy, so you do not have to worry about them going bad. They can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge in a sealed container.
Enjoy energy bites any time of the day. 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 stickier 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 one tablespoon of chia seeds.
- If you do not have peanut butter, you can use any other nut butter you have on hand. It doesn’t have to be peanut butter.
How to store them
- I recommend you serve them cold, so store them in the fridge if possible. 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
You may also 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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Notes: I updated this post on october 2024 to add step-by-step photos. The recipe did not change.
No-Bake Protein Energy Bites
Equipment
- Bowl
- measuring cups
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Rolled oats
- 2 Scoops Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla flavor works great
- ½ Cup Natural peanut butter
- ¼ Cup Honey
- 1/3 Cup Mini chocolate chips
- 2-3 tablespoons Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place the 2 Scoops Whey Protein Powder, 1 ½ Cups Rolled oats, ½ Cup Natural peanut butter, and ¼ Cup Honey in a large bowl.
- Mix them to combine. If the mixture is a bit dry, add 2-3 tablespoons Tablespoons water and stir until a stiff dough forms. ( you can add the additional water, one teaspoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached)
- Stir in the 1/3 Cup Mini chocolate chips.
- Mix again to combine.
- 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.
Video
Notes
- 1 Protein Ball per serving
- You may use quick oats if you don’t have rolled oats.
- Any brand of protein powder will work. You can use plant-based protein powder.
- To make this vegan-friendly, you can use agave instead of honey and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- You can never mess up when you make it, if you feel it’s dry, add one tablespoon of water at a time, if you mess up and add too much water, then add a bit more protein powder until you get the consistency right.
- Allow cooling in the fridge for 20-30 mins
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I make ahead and freeze? Then take them out the night before a sporting activity?
I haven’t tested it. But I believe it should work
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?
You may have to add more peanut butter. I wonder whats causing that to happen
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!
Do you use raw honey or regular honey? And do you use dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips?
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
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?
Yes you can
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 🙂
allulose is fine. Any sticky liquid to help with binding. And yes any protein powder works
How come there is more carbs in as protein in nutrition value?
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.
How creative! I love it
Are these kid friendly?
Yes. My kids love them and we make them all the time.
Hello! Can I use vegan protein?
Yes Vegan protein works just fine.
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 ?
You can yes!
Are those macros per one ball?
Yes.
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.
Amazing substitutes. Thanks for the feedback
Hey is it okay to use chocolate flavor protein powder and how long can we store them ?
Yes. Any protein will work. Store in a sealed container in fridge for up to 7 days
If I don’t like peanut butter what should I replace with?
You can use any nut butter.
What can I substitute the protein with?
Hi. You can add either oat flour, coconut flour, or almond flour
can you use unflavored whey
Yes you can
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.
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.
Hi Rena,
How you store them and what’s the shelf life?
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.
Can I use another nut butter other than peanut butter? I’m allergic
Yes. Any nut butter will work
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
I measured it once and it was pretty close to 1/4 cup
Can i replace honey with maple syrup?
Yes.
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
Tag or DM us to see the photo!
Hey can i add few sunflower seeds ?
Hi. You sure can
Hi i cannot eat peanut butter. Dyu have an alternative to peanut butter
Hi, You can try any other nut butter.
How much are 2 scoops of protein powder?
Hi there. I measured the scoop I was using and 2 scoops were almost 1 cup I would say measure 1/4 (3 times)