Energy Balls/Bites – We are all about healthy snacks that the whole family loves! These sweet, no bake treat Energy Balls makes the perfect snack, made with whole grain oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and rice crisps for a nice crunch. Make a big batch to have them on hand for any occasion!

These energy bites take less than 10 minutes to put together, are filled with all good-for-you ingredients, and make for quick, portable breakfast or a snack. They also make a great dessert when you are craving something sweet! Perfect on the go snack to energize you throughout the day. Loaded with protein, fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. You may refer these as power balls or protein bites.

POSSIBLE ENERGY BITES VARIATIONS and ADAPTATIONS:

Feel free to get creative with your own customizations! For example, you are welcome to…

Make energy bars: Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan, chill, and then slice into energy bars (instead of rolling the mixture into energy balls).
Use a different nut or seed butter: Use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or any other nut/seed butters that you prefer in place of peanut butter.
You may add shredded sweetened coconut.
Add spices: If you would like to give these energy bites some extra flavor, feel free to add in a few pinches of ground cinnamon.
Dry fruits: You can include chopped almonds or walnuts or pecans.
Chocolate Chips: Can substitute raisins or Craisins or butterscotch chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips or cocoa powder for the chocolate chips.
You can also add Chia seeds.

MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS:

To make ahead: Energy bites are a great make ahead snack. Make them weeks or months ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks depending on freshness of your ingredients.

To freeze: Place energy balls into a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

***If you have trouble getting the energy balls to hold together, I recommend adding in more peanut butter or honey to make the mixture a bit more sticky. Or if you would rather, you can also just press the mixture into a square baking dish to make flat energy bars instead of round energy balls. .

Other Oats Recipes:

How to make Protein Energy Balls

PREP TIME: 5 MINS COOK TIME: 0 MINS TOTAL TIME: 5 MINS COURSE: SNACK, DESSERT, BREAKFAST CUISINE: AMERICAN YIELDS: AROUND 25

Ingredients

1 cup – old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup – steel cut oats
1 cup – crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies or crushed rice chex)
3/4 cup – peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1/2 cup – ground flaxseed
1/2 cup – chocolate chips
3/4 cup honey
2 tsp – vanilla extract

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
Cover the bowl with cling wrap, Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before forming into 1-2 inch balls. (If the mixture isn’t holding together well enough you can add a little more nut butter or honey to help it bind).
Store them in an air tight container and keep refrigerated for an easy snack on the go.
Feel free to include other “add-ins” like chopped almonds, raisins, etc. (Refer variations section above).

Tips

Keep them refrigerated in a closed container.
For freezing: Make ahead and store energy balls in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or at room temperature.
Try customizing with other ingredients listed in variations.
Grease your hands for easier rolling.
To make Bars instead of Balls: Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan, chill, and then slice into energy bars.

Step by step photo instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup steel cut oats, 1 cup rice crisps, 1/2 cup ground flax seed, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 3/4 cup honey, 3/4 cup peanut butter, and 2 tbsp vanilla.

2. Cover the bowl with cling wrap, Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before forming into 1-2 inch balls. (If the mixture isn’t holding together well enough you can add a little more nut butter or honey to help it bind). Store them in an air tight container and keep refrigerated for an easy snack on the go.Feel free to include other “add-ins” like chopped almonds, raisins, etc. (Refer variations section above).