No-Bake Energy Bites

Article by Emily Saladino

These no-bake energy bites come together quickly and are loaded with wholesome ingredients—and most of them may already be in your pantry. It’s a snack you can feel good about: not only is peanut butter chock-full of healthy fats, but dried fruit, oats, and flaxseeds are also rich in hunger-fighting fiber. Whether you’re hoping to simplify weekday mornings with grab-and-go breakfast bites, or are searching for post-workout or after-school snacks, these peanut butter protein balls are sure to satisfy.

How to Make No-Bake Energy Bites Like a Pro

The Food Network Kitchen team designed this no-bake energy bites recipe to be fast, easy, and almost infinitely riffable. Here’s how to make it your own.

Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Steel-cut or Irish oats require long cooking times, and instant oats can turn mushy, so our recipe developers recommend making no-bake energy bites with old-fashioned rolled oats. To make the recipe gluten-free, swap in gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats.

Try different nut butters. Our recipe developers love the flavor of peanut butter balls with oats, but you could use almond or sunflower butter instead. The salt content of nut butters can vary, so taste the mixture before adding any salt.

Customize the mix-ins. Instead of dried cranberries, make protein balls with chocolate chips or golden raisins, or use all nuts and seeds. If you opt for larger dried fruits like dates or apricots, chop them into chocolate-chip-sized pieces to keep the texture of the energy bites perfectly chewy.

Add crunch. Amp up the texture of this protein ball recipe by rolling them in finely chopped or crushed peanuts or cashews.

How to make protein balls that stay firm. If the mixture feels too loose when you start rolling it into balls, refrigerate the dough for 10 to 15 minutes. And don’t skip the final rest! After you’ve shaped the peanut butter balls, let them sit in the fridge for 30 minutes before digging in—that final step keeps them firm.

How to Store No-Bake Energy Bites

One of the best things about the oatmeal protein balls is how long they stay fresh. Pack them into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Other Power Balls Recipes to Try

If you love the convenience and crowd-pleasing flavors of these no-bake energy bites, consider some other protein balls recipes from Food Network Kitchen.

Almond, Coconut, and Date Bites. Making protein balls with dates gives them an irresistibly chewy texture and natural sweetness. Swap in your favorite nut butter for the almond butter and adjust the salt to taste.

Pistachio Energy Balls. Pistachios do double duty as both the creamy filling and crunchy coating for these healthy snacks that are loaded with dates, honey and coconut.

Coconut-Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls. You only need four ingredients and 15 minutes to make these easy coconut protein balls, and you can freeze them in an airtight bag for up to three months.

Berry Almond Energy Bites. Three types of dried fruit give these gluten-free power balls lots of flavor, while the almonds and flaxseed keep you feeling full.