by Alyssa Rivers
No Bake Energy Bites aka Protein Poppers
These are always a hit in my family! I usually have to double the recipe in order to satisfy everyones cravings on these! They are so simple to make and clean up is even better with one bowl! I love making these with my kids in our kitchen. Each of them have an ingredient they love to add, they all take turns passing the bowl around stirring it together and double points for the bonding we have laughing over our silliness. During the one hour of fridge time we love to play a quick game together. It can be I spy, a card game or a bunch of fun word games that are short and sweet. It gets our kids laughing and the bond they have grows even more.
After the mixture is chilled, rolling the balls in their hands or using a cookie scoop is their favorite part before devouring them! It has been a go-to snack for our family. They are great for driving from school to activity or sometimes I use them as a quick lunch or snack when I am out and about. You will love the flavor and how filling these little bites can be.
Feel good about what you are snacking on with these quick and easy Energy Bites. Keep your healthy goals afloat with these fun, pop-able bites. Take them on the go or just have them ready when needed. Great for kids and adults! They are simple to make and disappear just as fast!
How Do You Make No Bake Energy Bites?
- In a large mixing bowl, mix rolled oats, coconut flakes, nut butter, flax seed, honey, and vanilla. Make sure it is mixed well so that you can form the balls easily. Add chocolate chips if using or other desired mix ins.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge for an hour so that balls will bind together.
- Roll the balls into about a 1 inch diameter.
What Other Mix-Ins Work Well For Energy Bites?
There are several variations of energy bites that are just as delicious! You can make them as simple as 4 ingredients to adding in all the extra flavors or additives you love to make your own. Here are a few substitutions or additions you can make to enhance your energy bites.
- Add in a scoop of protein powder
- Mix in about a 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit mix, such as 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup dried cranberries in place of the chocolate chips
- Add in any of your favorite types of seed, such as sunflower, flax seeds, pumpkin or chia seeds for an extra boost
- Replace the peanut butter with almond, cashew or any type of nut butter you prefer
How Do You Store Energy Bites?
- Short Term: Placing the energy bites in a zip lock bag or an airtight container is best. They will usually last up to one week being stored at room temperature or two weeks in the refrigerator. Giving each bite room in the air tight container is recommended so they do not stick together.
- Long Term: Storing them in the freezer will last about two to three months. I recommend before freezing them that you freeze the balls prior to storing them in an airtight container. This works best by placing the energy bites on a baking sheet that is covered with parchment paper. Freeze for about 15 to 20 minutes or until firm. This will hold their shape as well as not stick together when being stored for a long period of time.
- Thawing Process: Place in the refrigerator over night and enjoy the next day!
Want More Healthy Recipes? Here are some to choose from!
No Bake Energy Bites
No Bake Energy Bites are packed with protein and make the perfect healthy snack or breakfast on the go! Loaded with oats, flax seed, peanut butter, coconut and chocolate chips, these little bites are amazing!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup nut butter I used natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup ground flax seed
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips optional
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix rolled oats, coconut flakes, nut butter, flax seed, honey, and vanilla. Make sure it is mixed well so that you can form the balls easily. Add chocolate chips if using or other desired mix ins.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge for an hour so that balls will bind together.
- Roll the balls into about a 1 inch diameter.
Recipe Notes
Recipe Updated 2/1/19
These look like something I could make and eat before I go for a run. I am really bad about eating before a run. This looks fast enough that I might actually eat, which would be way better for me.
Yeah so am I! And I feel like you can’t eat anything to heavy before a long run but your body needs protein! Make them in advance and put them in the fridge like I did, and let me know if you like them! 🙂
What is the calorie content of the protein poppers?
These do sound easy and good!
These look lovely and also very easy to make and keep on hand for whenever hunger strikes. Also customisable – which is always good.
Sarah
http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/
I’m stopping for a visit from Six Sisters’ Stuff today!
I’m having so much fun visiting the participants of this blog linky party.
So many wonderful and creative ideas.
This is such a great idea! I am always just grabbign stuff too…
And so are the kids….
This will be perfect!
I pinned it…
🙂
Crystelle
http://www.crystelleboutique.com
What would you suggest using instead of the nut butter for someone who’s allergic to nuts?
& if possible, what would you switch the coconut for?
Hi! I have heard that sunbutter is a good substitute for someone who is allergic to nuts because they use seeds not nuts, and still has a sweet flavor. (Im guessing you could buy this at a whole foods or even online!) You really don’t need the coconut, you could try another substitute such as raisins, dried apricots, anything that is your favorite! Hope this helps! Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
If you have a Meijer’s near you, they carry the sunbutter!!
What could you substitute for the flax seeds if anything?
Hi! Flax seed is added in this recipe mostly for benefits of having omega 3s, fiber, and is good for your heart. You could not add it and just put a dried citrus fruit for added fiber and vitamin C. Or I have heard that chia seeds or even pine nuts can be added to this. Hope this helps! Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
Do you know how many calories are in each ball or in a serving?
Thank you so much for linking up last week at Recipe Sharing Monday. The new link party is now up and I’d love it if you joined us again. Have a great week!
How many servings does this recipe make?
I made these last week – they were a huge hit with my kids (and all the neighbors!). I forgot the peanut butter, and they still held together great. I’m making them tonight and remembered the peanut butter – and doubled the recipe so they will last longer. All my kids can take a mid-morning snack to school and these are perfect. 🙂
I love these! I added chia seeds to mine
Can these be frozen?
Can these be frozen if made in bulk?
I made these with almond butter & they are delicious, but I had to use twice the almond butter to keep it all together. Left out the choc. chips & vanilla. Delicious! I have had 3 as my breakfast today!
Sounds great! going to give these a try!
Nutrition information?
Do you have nutritional info for those?
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a
sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and
said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the
shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off
topic but I had to tell someone!
How many calories?
I estimated about 100 cals for 2 balls but not sure on the exact amount…
I LOVE protein bites! I can’t wait to try these! They sound amazing!
did you credit the original recipe anywhere? i can’t seem to find it..
nvm see it now! duh! haha
Thanks for being the recipe credit police on that. 😉 but yes I always give credit where credit is due.
these look very good Looking forward to making and eating them.
These sound amazing! What is the nutritional information, please?
are these instant or old fashioned oats?
I used old fashioned. 🙂
How many bites roughly does this recipe yield?
I’m looking for a packaged granola bar substitute for morning snacks that is low sugar and low calorie but still filling and giving energy. These sound great but just wondering if I should double up on batches and freeze some or if they make a good amount?
Sorry I mean I used half honey and half maple syrup! Sorry for the confusion!
Just made these… Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! I seriously don’t think they’ll last until tomorrow… Thanks for the recipe!
Do you have to ground the flax seed or can you use them whole?
I made these last night and they were so good!!!! I will be making them again!
How terrible is it to roll these without chilling first? I am planning a healthy snacking event for a girl scout troop and want to do these, but concerned about the time it would take to chill these.
One more question..how many poppers does the original recipe yield?
What could you sub for the coconut. And what kind of peanut butter do you use?
I just used natural peanut butter. There are so many things that you could sub out for the coconut or just leave it out all together.
🙂
I would like to know how much protein these have in them ?
Why work so hard? Just smoosh them into a pan and cut them small like fudge!
I make so many things that need rolled into balls (buckeyes, oreo truffles, etc) that when something like this that doesn’t need dipped can be shaped like little squares 🙂 Just a thought (and what I plan to do with these!)
I was wondering, how many balls are one serving? Also, mine dind’t seem to want to stick together–could it be from chilling too long? Or because i used chunky peanut butter as well as I added in sunflower seeds (like too many chucks made it not hold together?) Should i use double the amount of honey then or how would i fix that? I also did try smooshing it in a pan to just make bars, but again, they dont’ want to completely hold together. They are delicious though.
I made these a few minutes before my kids got home from school. They were a big hit! I melted the peanut butter and honey together and then added everything (I used unsweetened coconut) and stirred them up. I scooped them out with a small cookie scoop, pushing them against the side of the bowl to pack it in. I then chilled them in the freezer for a few minutes, and they were perfect when my kids walked through the door. Thanks for a great healthy recipe with natural ingredients..love it!
Charlie’s energy balls! Awesome. I’m going to try these out!
About how many energy bites does this recipe make? Thanks!
I was able to make about 20 to 24 with a big scooper. IT depends on the size of bites that you are making.