No-Bake Protein Energy Bites

By Rena Awada | Updated On January 18, 2024

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.

top view of a white bowl with energy balls made with oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chip next to a kitchen towel that is white and blue


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.
close up energy balls in a white bowl

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
side shot of a small round white bowl with a bunch or energy bites in it

Frequently asked questions

Can you eat raw oats in energy balls?

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.

Are energy bites good for you?

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.

How long do energy balls last in the fridge?

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.

When should I eat Energy Bites?

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.

side shot of a white bowl with peanut butter and oats energy balls

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.
top view of over 10 energy balls made with peanut butter oats and chocolate chips in a round white bowl

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

a bowl of energy bites next to a blue and white napkin

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No-Bake Protein Energy Bites in a white round bowl

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No-Bake Protein Energy Bites in a white round bowl

No-Bake Protein Energy Bites

Easy energy bites that taste like a loaded oatmeal cookie. Made with 5 simple pantry staple ingredients and takes just about 10 minutes to make.
4.51 from 63 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 14 Servings
Calories: 144kcal
Author: Rena

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
 

Nutrition

Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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?

      • Poppy says

        5 stars
        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!

  2. Susana says

    5 stars
    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 🙂

  3. Susan says

    5 stars
    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.

  4. Louise-Andrée says

    5 stars
    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 ?

  5. Ray Marks says

    5 stars
    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.

  6. Ingrid says

    5 stars
    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.

  7. 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

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