Easy no-bake/no-cook energy bites! These simple treats are made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Minimal prep work is required, making these simple and relatively healthy snacks! Recipe also includes a quick how-to video!
The Most Wholesome Recipe on the Blog
It’s no secret that we’re all about the sugar here (I mean, it’s right in my name), but today’s recipe is for those of you who need something sweet but also a little bit wholesome.
These energy bites remind me so much of my favorite granola bars, only even easier (there’s no cooking required) and with less sugar. We’re using simple and relatively clean ingredients like honey, oats, coconut, and dark chocolate.
Let’s get to it.
What You Need
As I mentioned, our ingredient list isn’t 100% un-processed (hello, chocolate chips) but it’s arguably better than a regular chocolate chip cookie or chocolate truffle. Here’s what you need:
- Oats. I recommend old-fashioned. These will make up the bulk of the substance of the energy bites and will help make them nice and chewy!
- Honey. This is our main sweetener.
- Shredded coconut adds more sweetness and a nice chewy texture. See my FAQ section for notes about substituting some of these ingredients!
- Peanut Butter. Natural or classic, creamy or crunchy will work great here.
- Ground flax seed is an optional ingredient, it’s mostly to add some extra nutritional value to the energy bites. You won’t taste it if you add it, and they’ll still turn out if you leave it out.
- Vanilla extract & salt add flavor.
- Chocolate. I like to mix some mini chips into the “dough” and then drizzle melted dark chocolate over the tops.
Tip: You can substitute sun butter, almond butter, or really any other nut butter for the peanut butter.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make It
- Stir all ingredients except the chocolate bar (we’ll drizzle that on top) together until well-combined
- Form dough into 2-teaspoon-sized balls and place on a tray and chill for 10 minutes in the freezer.
- Drizzle with melted dark chocolate. Alternatively you can dip the energy bites into the chocolate (like you would a buckeye) but you might need a bit more chocolate!
- Chill one hour, then serve!
Honestly, I often skip the chilling step and help myself to a few right away. A bit messier but I don’t let it stop me!
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend old fashioned oats for a chewier texture and for energy bites that hold together nicely. While instant oats could be used, the balls might be more crumbly and you may need a drizzle more honey to bind everything together.
Yes you can. You can either leave it out entirely without substituting anything or you can toss in your favorite small dried fruit (dried cranberries or raisins would be good) or chopped nuts.
I recommend storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. I honestly prefer the taste when they are at room temperature, though, and will pull one or two out of the fridge a bit before I plan on enjoying.
More Recipes You Might Like
- Homemade Granola Recipe
- Peanut Butter Bars
- Pumpkin Cookies
- Cookie Dough Bites
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Make sure to check out the how-to VIDEO in the recipe card!
No-Bake Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup old fashioned oats (125g)
- ⅓ cup sweetened shredded coconut (30g)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (120g)
- ¼ cup honey (60ml)
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips optional
- 1 Tablespoon ground flax seed optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 oz dark chocolate bar optional, may substitute melted chocolate chips instead
Instructions
- Combine old fashioned oats, shredded coconut, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, flax seed (if using), vanilla extract, and salt in large bowl.
- Stir well until all ingredients are well-combined.
- Scoop cookie dough by about 2-teaspoon-sized scoops (I like to use a small cookie dough scoop). Roll the mixture between your palms to form a smooth ball.
- Repeat until all mixture has been rolled into balls. Transfer to a wax paper lined baking sheet (or other moveable flat surface).
- Place in freezer for 10 minutes.
- While energy bites are chilling, melt your dark chocolate by breaking into small pieces, placing in a small microwave-safe bowl, and heating for 15-second increments and stirring well in-between until chocolate is completely melted.
- Remove chilled energy bites from the freezer and use a spoon to drizzle melted dark chocolate over all bites. Alternatively you can dip the bottoms of the bites in the chocolate (like you're making Buckeyes).
- Place in the refrigerator and chill one hour before serving and enjoying.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This recipe was originally published January 2nd 2019. Post updated October 2020.
Melissa
Love your recipes …. So Instead of chocolate chips I use mini M&M’s. And no coconut just cuz I don’t like it..
Sam
Thank you, Melissa! I’m glad you enjoy these! They are so easy to customize too which makes them even better. 🙂
Esta Konshak
Yum!
Stacy
Is there another alternative to the peanut butter? I’m allergic to all nuts. I think applesauce may be too runny.
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Stacy! The peanut butter in combination with the honey is what brings the ingredients together. Unfortunately, there isn’t a good substitute that I can think of off-hand. You could possibly try using cookie butter? Without trying it myself I am not sure how it would do. If you do, I’d love to know how it turned out.
Kendrin
I make these with Sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) for my kid’s lunch since his school is nut free. They are super yummy!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoys them so much, Kendrin! 🙂
Blair
These are amazing!! Both my girls LOVED them also.
I didn’t have coconut, so left that out. I left out the salt, since I usually don’t put it in most of my cooking. I used chocolate chips, but didn’t do the chocolate over them at the end. I used quick oats, since that’s all I had on hand.
Fantastic! I was wanting a “healthier” sweet, and this hit the spot! Thank you for another great recipe!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Blair! 🙂
Lorelei Kawchuk
Hi, Sam…
These No Bake Energy Bites sound healthy, & I’d like to try them, except for one thing… I’ve got an allergy to coconut!! Can you suggest something that could be used in place of coconut in this particular recipe, without problems to the final product???
If you can, it would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!
Sam
Hi Loralei! I am not sure of a good substitute here, but you shouldn’t have any issues if you leave it out. 🙂
Lorelei Kawchuk
Thank you!! Your time is much appreciated!!
SCP
Hi Sam… would the shredded coconut also mean dessicated? If it isn’t the sweetened variety, I can just opt to add a tad more honey?
Thank you!
Sam
The coconut is just the shredded variety, which to my understanding is not fully desiccated, as it retains a little more moisture. I think if you add extra honey, it may end up being a little sticky, but I have not tried it, so I am not certain how it will turn out.
Cindy W
recipe looks yummy–can I use Agave Nectar instead of Honey?
Sam
Hi, Cindy. I have never used agave nectar, so I am not sure if the consistency is thinner than honey or not. If it is the same consistency, it will work. 🙂
Barbara
I have not tried the energy bites but it sounds and looks easy, I know it will taste great, great
Sam
Enjoy, Barbara! 🙂
Vicki W.
Sounds wonderful…..going to make them NOW!!!!!
Sam
I hope you love them, Vicki! 🙂