The Best Protein Bites {Endless Add-In Options}

With so many add-in and nut butter options, this protein bites recipe is the only one you’ll ever need! Make-ahead and store in the freezer!

This recipe has been our favorite snack for years. The recipe is so easy, even the kids can mix up these easy protein bites, and I love that the protein bites are nutrient dense and delicious.

Ingredients for Protein Bites

This recipe calls for easy-to-find, every day ingredients:

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: an equal amount of quick oats can be subbed in for the old-fashioned oats (process for less time).
• Flaxseed meal: recipe reviewers have subbed in chia seed meal for the flaxseed and others have omitted it and used more oats.
• Nut butter: a variety of nut butters work well in this recipe, like almond butter, peanut butter (both natural and Skippy-types), and cashew butter. My favorite combo is half peanut butter/half cashew butter. The texture of the protein bites is a bit grittier with almond butter.
• Honey
• Vanilla + Salt

The protein bites are ideally mixed in a food processor. However, if you don’t have a food processor, coarsely chop the oats in a blender, then transfer them to a bowl and add the other ingredients and stir/mash to combine.

Add-In Options for Protein Bites

The protein bites are delicious made without any additional add-in ingredients. However, if you want to customize them, there are many different add-in options:

• Mini chocolate chips
• Shredded coconut
• Dried fruit
• Chopped nuts

Add the extra ingredients after the dough has come together. Don’t forget to remove the food processor blade before kneading in the add-ins!

Make-Ahead Snack

Other than the fact that these protein bites are remarkably yummy, the other appeal to them is that they can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for several months.

They are the perfect snack to keep on hand at all times. They serve as a great on-the-go breakfast, anytime snack, and are perfect for lunch boxes.

Plus, they are really fun to make with the kids (or better yet, teach them how to make the recipe!).

The Best Energy Bites {Master Recipe}

Yield: 24 Small Bites

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

4.73 stars (220 ratings)

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Ingredients

• 1 cup (100 g) old-fashioned oats
• ⅓ cup (35 g) ground flaxseed meal (see note)
• ⅔ to 1 cup (170 to 255 g) nut butter (see note)
• ¼ cup (85 g) honey
• Dash of vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Optional Add-Ins:

• Mini chocolate chips
• Shredded coconut
• Chopped nuts
• Dried fruit

Instructions 

• In a food processor, add the oats and process until coarsely chopped. If you don't have a food processor coarsely chop the oats in a blender and transfer to a bowl.
• Add the flaxseed meal, nut butter, honey, vanilla and salt. Process/mix until the mixture comes together into a soft but not overly sticky ball.
• If the mixture is overly dry, add nut butter a tablespoon at a time and process/mix until the consistency is soft but not overly sticky or crumbly.
• Remove the blade from the food processor, if using. Add any add-in ingredients, and mix with your hands until evenly combined.
• Roll the dough into small balls (I use my small cookie scoop – #60) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray.
• Refrigerate until set. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for 1 to 2 months.

Notes

Flaxseed Meal: you can replace the flaxseed meal with other nutrient-dense “meals” like chia seed meal or omit the flaxseed meal and replace with 1/3 cup extra oats.

Nut Butter: as far as nut butter, I’ve tried these with almond butter, peanut butter (both natural and Skippy-types), and cashew butter. My favorite combo is half peanut butter/half cashew butter (to die for). Almond butter is my least favorite of the options, but that’s just personal preference (my kids like it less, too) – the texture of the bites tends to be a bit grainier.

Consistency: for the overall consistency of these energy bites, a lot will depend on how coarsely the oats are chopped in the first step and the thickness of the nut butter (for instance, cashew butter and natural peanut butter are sometimes runnier). If you are using a nut butter with a thinner consistency, start with the 2/3 cup amount and add more, if needed. 

Nutrition Facts: the nutrition facts for this recipe were calculated based on the bites (but do not include the optional add-ins as those are added based on personal preference). 

Author: Mel

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Method: No-Bake

Serving: 1 Bite, Calories: 100kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g

Recommended Products

Breville Food Processor

Measuring Cups

Cookie Sheet {Half Sheet Pan}

Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Recipe originally published August 2017; updated July 2025 with new photos, recipe notes, etc.

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