The Best Energy Bites {Master Recipe: Tons of Add-In Options!}
This master energy bites recipe is the only one you’ll ever need! Endless add-in options, these babies are healthy and delicious – truly the best energy bites I’ve ever had!
Have you gotten on the energy bite train yet? They’ve been around a while (definitely not a new trend), and we loooooove them.
I have a few different variations on my blog (some of them are called granola bites, but essentially, they are the same thing):
No-Bake Healthy Cookie Dough Bites
Easy enough to whip up in just a few minutes, little energy bites and granola bites like these are some of our favorite summertime and school time snacks.
For a while now, I’ve wanted an all-purpose, master recipe for the best energy bites on the planet. A go-to recipe that requires every day pantry ingredients, has no refined sugar, and doesn’t require any cooking or baking.
There are tons and tons of energy bites recipes out there in the interwebs with every variation you can imagine. But I wanted a more simple approach. One recipe that is adaptable enough for any add-in under the sun.
This is the one!
We’ve been making these energy bites constantly over the summer. Literally, I cannot keep them stocked – my kids grab them out of the refrigerator all the livelong day (ok, I do, too). They are the perfect protein-packed snack – and have saved my breakfast a time or two, as well (a couple of these + my kefir smoothie, and I’m golden).
With school about to start next week, I have my eye trained to all the things I can do to make my lunch-making endeavors easier. And by I, I mean my kids. I’m turning the lunch making over to them this year.
While the control-everything part of my personality has developed a nervous twitch about this idea, the save-my-sanity part of my personality is thrilled. The plan is to pack lunches the night before. I have a list with categories of acceptable foods (protein, fruit, vegetables, etc) that can be added to their lunches.
You know, so they don’t end up with a lunchbox full of just goldfish crackers.
These energy bites are high on the list of requests to keep stocked in the fridge at all times for easy lunch making. You can see from the notes below the recipe that there are TONS of variations available – from what type of nut butter you use to the add-ins you throw in there.
I always at least double the batch (just did this morning, in fact!), and it goes without saying that my favorite add-in is mini chocolate chips. Lately, though, we’ve just been keeping them simple as can be – no add-ins at all, and they are fabulous.
This really is the best energy bites recipe!
Bonus: they freeze great (for several months) and will keep in the refrigerator for a week or so. So basically, there’s no reason not to at least quadruple the batch. Go big or go home, like I always say!
The Best Energy Bites {Master Recipe}
Ingredients
- 1 cup (100 g) old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup (35 g) ground flaxseed meal
- ⅔ to 1 cup (170 to 255 g) nut butter (see note)
- ¼ cup (85 g) honey
- Dash of vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt, more to taste, if needed
- Add-ins: mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, dried fruit, chia seeds, etc.
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 add 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 firm enough to stack in a lidded container or in a bag. The energy bites can be frozen for several months or refrigerated for a week or so.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Love it!!!
I have been making these since the start of the school year and my family absolutely loves them. I have two sons who stay after school for football practice, my boys will eat 2-3 bites before practice and they are not starving by the end. The power bites have a great taste and long lasting energy. Thanks for posting the recipe, I adore your site.
Thanks, Ronna! I need to start sending some of these with my boys to wrestling practice.
These are a great lunch item if, like me, you have a kid who is such a slow eater and has a very short lunch period at school.
Delicious for kids lunches, after workouts, basically any time.
Yummy! I had to used toasted whole wheat flour but they were still delish. I know they’ll be great when I restock with flax meal! Added two tablespoons of cocoa powder and some semi sweet chocolate chips. Thanks for an alternative to eating cookie dough by the spoonful
Oh my goodness, these are delicious!!! My first time making the recipe I tripled them (when Mel says to double or triple something, you do it…haha) My favorite combination was mini chocolate chips and coconut. I can’t wait for my kiddos to wake up and try them!
Love these!! Just ran out of nut butter and made a batch with half peanut butter, half nutella. So good!!
So I just made these and followed the recipe exactly but I could not get the balls to form. They were too crumbly. I’m guessing that I made the oats too fine that it caused them to absorb too much of the liquid. I used cashew butter and organic peanut butter. After adding a cup of each (I doubled the recipe) I didn’t want to put anymore so I added 2 bananas and it came together perfectly! They were SO GOOD!!! Put some in the freezer for later but don’t know how long they’ll last because my husband and kids loved them!
I add about a tablespoon of coconut oil to my single batches and find that really helps 🙂
Made these for the second time in a week (double batches each time) per the request of my kids. Added some cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips to some and they tasted the same (if not better!) than those old standby chocolate peanut butter oatmeal no-bake cookies. Yummm!!!
Made these for the second time in a week (double batches each time) per the request of my kids. Added some cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips to some and they tasted the same (if not better!) than those old standby chocolate peanut butter oatmeal no-bake cookies. Yummm!!!
Wow! We love these! Such a great snack to have on hand. Super easy, too. My kids love to help me make these as well.
Was just printing out this recipe and reading through the comments. Wanted to tell the person wondering if she could buy the mini chocolate chips in bulk….. yes, I am in Utah and get mine at Winco. Semi-sweet and they are delicious.
I’m excited to try this recipe this week! I just bought a bag of flaxseed meal. I’ve never used it before- what are some other things I could put it in?
I throw it in smoothies and all sorts of muffins (if I use it in baked goods, I sub it in place for a bit of the flour – like 1/4 cup or so).
Could you just use quick oats (by weight) instead of grinding up old fashioned ones?
Probably – although the few times I tried it, the texture wasn’t quite the same, so I went back to just using old-fashioned oats.
Perhaps it varies by brand, but I tried it yesterday and didn’t really notice a difference to the several times I made it before with chopped old fashioned oats. Which is a plus because then I don’t have to get out, use & wash my food processor 🙂
Awesome!
I have and it still works great.
Mel, thanks for the recipe to use as a base. It is delish!
Yummm! Who would have thought something so easy and healthy could taste so good??? These have roughly 160 calories each (without add-ins), so I’ll try not to eat the whole batch in one sitting. It’s going to be hard! FYI: I used 2/3 cup Smuckers natural peanut butter and the texture was perfect.
Mmmm, these look delicious! I haven’t had cashew butter and want to try your combo of that and PB. Any good places to get cashew butter that won’t cost an arm and a leg?!? I am in UT…I think that is where you are too…?
I’m in Idaho (Boise area). Cashew butter is a little spendy – I always grab it at Trader Joe’s.
You can also make your own!
Just add 1 cup of roasted salted cashews into a food processor and blend for 5 minutes. Stop every minute or two to scrape down the sides. It makes half the amount of cashew butter– 1 cup cashews equals 1/2 cup cashew butter. You can use it right away or keep it in the fridge in a jar/container.
I used that + 1/2 cup peanut butter for the bites and it turned out great!
Love these! I added unsweetened coconut and chia seeds to mine. They will be great for my mid-day snack. Thank you.
These are my favorite energy bites that I’ve tried thus far! I used cashew butter and peanut butter, along with some unsweetened shredded coconut and mini chocolate chips. I made a double batch my very first time cuz I trust you like that 🙂 My kids love them too! Thanks Mel!
Yay! Thanks for the comment, Aubri!
Made these with half peanut butter and half nutella and 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, yes more like a cookie than a healthy snack but that is okay. They are SO GOOD! and we love your other healthy granola bites and dark chocolate granola bites too! It was hard for my family to choose which was their favorite. They like them all. I made one batch and then we tasted them and I instantly made another batch because I knew we needed more to stock our lunches for school this week. Awesome! Thanks Mel!
LOVE this variation, Jen!
We always have a batch of your Healthy Granola Bites in our freezer and now we will add these to the rotation! I really liked how easy these energy bites were to portion into balls. A lot easier than the Healthy Granola Bites. Do you think that’s because the oats are coarsely chopped? I’m wondering if I could chop them up in the Granola Bites recipe and get the same outcome.
I think you could definitely try chopping the oats in the other recipe – it definitely helps with rolling. But the other recipe also has a few other “coarser” ingredients that makes rolling kind of a pain.
I second this – much easier to roll than the healthy granola bites. I actually didn’t read the instructions (oops!), but just dumped everything together, without processing the oats. Still worked great! I used sun butter because we are a peanut free household. Rolls just like cookie dough, and no more clumping/crushing into a ball. This will be my recipe from now on!
Please move to Ohio and be my BFF! I just adore you, plus our brains are so in sync this week. I also turned over lunch-making this school year. It’s only been 3 days, and it was the Best. Decision. Ever!!! I literally JUST finished making the list of acceptable foods to post on the fridge, then came to your website to whip up the granola balls. The only problem I have is that I make a triple batch and I just get so sick of rolling them into balls – because I’m super lazy. I think I’ll roll them out into a sheet pan and cut them into small squares this time and see what happens.
Thanks for a master recipe! We also love date-almond balls, where the mix-in possibilities are endless. Have a fantastic school year – the not having to pack lunch thing is HUGE!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Rachel! Looks like there are a lot of us mommas turning over the lunch-making duty this year! I made a quadruple batch of these babies this weekend and I think I had carpal tunnel by the end of all the rolling. 🙂
All my kids loved these. Perfect after school snack. Will make these often.
We made these this morning with mini chocolate chips and chopped almonds. So good! I really like the texture and the ground oats. We’ll definitely be experimenting with more flavor combinations and different nut butters – especially your half peanut butter/half cashew butter recommendation. Thanks Mel!!
So happy you loved the basic recipe!
Do you buy your chocolate chips (mini or regular) in bulk somewhere? Or do you just use the bags at the grocery store?
The last few years I’ve put in a group bulk order to ghirardelli with people in my area and have ordered the mini chips that way, but if I’m out, I grab them at the store.
Thanks! Love all your recipes.
crazy question, but if you had to substitute something for the oats, what would you suggest?
Hmmm, I haven’t ever tried subbing out the oats, but if I did, I might try something like buckwheat or maybe triticale (a wheat/rye grain)? The flavor and texture would change, but it might be worth some experimenting.
Thank you so much for the ideas! With an oat allergy, it’s so hard to find healthy and filling snacks like this. I figured with all your wisdom you’d be the person to ask. 🙂 Thanks! You are awesome and I LOVE your recipes!!
Thank you! 🙂
Rolled barley flakes?
hello. you could try cooked cooled quinoa.
Maybe some sort of cereal like corn flakes, wheaties or rice chex?
Does anyone know if agave or something else can be substituted for the honey? Daughter is allergic to honey and I am dying to make these for her?
Hey Jane – I haven’t tried it, but I think you could easily sub pure maple syrup or agave for the honey.
I always use agave and they turn out great! My kids LOVE them!
Soaked raisins or dates, drained and pureed?
Mel–these were awesome! My kids whipped them up and told me that they would be happy if I packed them in their lunch every day for lunch. That is definitely a mom win. Thanks for all of your great recipes and ideas. I’m pretty sure that I get on your site at least 3 times a day (for breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes the snack in between!) and am never disappointed 🙂
Thanks, Clarissa! Huge props to your kids for making these!
So I made this an hour before we were leaving to go camping. ♀️ But they were awesome! Also, I only had peanut butter on hand, so I did 1 ounce of it Nutella and that was super good! Thanks for the adaptable recipe! I may need to invest in a full-size food processor just to do these and biscuits
Nutella?!? YUMMM!
Made these with the kids this morning and they’re amazing!!!!!! We added chocolate chips and then did some with butterscotch chips. So good! Thanks for sharing!
Yum!
Mel ! Greetings from Nepal!
Thank you for sharing this quick and easy recipe! With less than 10 ingredients these energy bites sound very nutritious.
Keep posting!
We have made a similar variation of these for years and my kids absolutely love them! I can’t wait to try some of your suggestions!
Would you be willing to share your lunch menu for your kids? Mine pack their own too. I’ve made menus, but curious to see others!
I’ll try to get a post together!
Planning on making these babies today with sun butter (my littles go to a peanut free school) I will report back on the verdict but we have loved your no-bake granola bites! Kind of ironic, but I told my children yesterday that starting Monday, they are in charge of packing their own lunches. I will let you know how that goes…and yes, I second a post about school lunches!! Thanks again for all of your hard work and making look like rock star in the kitchen!!
Thanks, Hilary! We’ll all have to stick together in this initiative to have our kids pack their own lunches this year. 🙂
Okay, so I just finished making these with sun butter, and they are so, so good!!! Addictive I might add!! Sun butter is not something I typically buy or use because my children do not have a nut allergy…but because they are going to a peanut-free school this year I decided to try it. Its unanimous … my kids and I think these are delicious!!! They will definitely be showing up in their lunch boxes this year..if I don’t eat them all myself
Oh yay! So happy these worked out with sun butter. Thanks for the report back!
I whipped these up at 6:30pm this evening. It was a good thing I had to dash out the door soon after for a meeting or else they may not have lasted the night. What I love about these fab bites is that they are easy and delicious! Texture aside, the taste is reminiscent of peanut butter cups except not quite so sweet. (I used half natural PB and half cashew butter, like you suggested). So, So good! My daughter said “Mom! You are such a good cook! Everything you make is the best!” followed by huge snuggle! I’d say this recipe is a keeper!
That’s adorable about your daughter! So happy you loved these (and thanks for reporting back!!).
The bites look really good. I’ve never liked commercial energy or protein bars, but like all the ingredients listed, so think I’d prefer these.
I wish Trader Joe’s still sold cashew-macadamia butter. I like the cashew butter too, but was so obsessed with the cashew-macadamia butter that I’d bought a Vitamix so I could make my own, and now just buy the nuts from Trader Joe’s, but still wish they would bring that back!
Oh wow, I never tried that from TJ’s but I’m pretty certain I would have been a big fan, too.
Trying to pick out a good cashew butter for these… any suggestions on brands you like? Thanks!
I love the Trader Joe’s brand! (That’s actually the only brand I’ve used, although I know Amazon carries a few with really good reviews)
Oh man you read my mind!! I was thinking it was time for energy bites again. We made these tonight they were amazing. My 6 year old kept sneaking back to get more. They will not last long around here.
Yay! So happy you loved them! Glad we aren’t the only ones who are powerless to resist their appeal!
I don’t usually buy flaxseed. I just adjust for itvin receips. Can I leave it out here? Or do I need to adjust thee oats?
FYI I have been making your recipes for years!!! But have never left a comment. Thank you for all your hard work on wonderful recipes!
Thanks, Rebecca! Happy to see your comment! As for the flaxseed…I think you could leave it out and increase the oats by about the same amount or grind the oats a little more finely.
I don’t like the taste of flaxseed meal. For the previous granola bites recipe, I always substituted oat flour, or if I was out of that, I would put oats in the food processor and grind as finely as possible. Good luck! They really are delicious.
The flax seed ups the nutritional value, and I promise you can’t even tell it’s in these. Trust me! I don’t care for it by itself either.
I take back my initial comment about not being able to taste the flaxseed. I think it depends on the brand/freshness (?) of the flaxseed. I just bought a new bottle (Wal-Mart Great Value Organic) and you can definitely taste it in the bites, especially when they are first made. I had previously used flaxseed from a bulk foods store and I couldn’t taste it at all. I did notice though that the longer the bites were refrigerated, the less I could taste it. I also only use 1/4 c. vs. the 1/3 c. called for in the recipe.
Just made these–they’re delicious! I like the texture of the ground oats over other balls I’ve made with whole oats. I don’t have a food processor and everything got a lot easier to mix when I just dove in with my hands!
Thanks for the review, Ruth!
I have family with nut allergies, but they can have sunbutter (sunflower seed butter). Has anyone tried using that? Thanks! And Mel, my daughters (who are also moms) and I think you’re wonderful! Thanks for your ministry to families and tummies!
Thanks, Barb! Someone on Instagram commented they were going to try these with WOW butter – hopefully they’ll report back!
Do you think sunflower butter would work? The stuff is kinda gross but 3/4 boys are allergic to nuts! So unfortunate!!’
I haven’t tried it with sunflower butter, but someone on Instagram commented they were going to try and make these with WOW butter (is it the same thing??)…I’ll get back with her and see how it worked out!
Do you need the flaxseed?
Not necessarily…I always have it on hand and like the fiber/nutrition boost it gives. But you could probably leave it out and increase the oats just a bit.
Due to allergies we can’t use flaxseed. Would you just add more oatmeal to replace the flaxseed?
Yep, or I’ve also used wheat germ in place of the flaxseed, and it works great.
Do you grind the flax seeds into meal yourself? Or buy it already ground?
Excuse me for being bossy…but I have a cute little coffee grinder that grindes my flax seed likety split and then it’s always fresh…and always easy! The coffee grinder was very inexpensive too!
I buy it already ground, but if you have a way to grind it, that would work, too!
Do you buy ground flax seeds at a regular grocery store? If so, what section is it in?
Yes, I but them at Winco – they have bulk bins, and I get them there. But they are also very often in the baking aisle – especially if your grocery store stocks Bob’s Red Mill type packages of flours/ingredients.
Just picked some up…love the bulk bins! Thanks!
Me too!
Yum! We are big fans of your granola bites, and so we’ll definitely be giving this one a try too!
Also, please do share that list of what your kids are going to use to pack their lunches. We need some fresh ideas around here! I feel like we get in a rut of packing the same thing every day, and that gets old.
I have been making my kids pack their lunches for a couple years, but it makes mornings chaotic, so I’m going to give packing them the night before a try too. I think I need to empty a shelf in my fridge to make room for their boxes. I’d love to hear about how this system works for your family this year! Please keep us up dated!
I’ll try to get a post together! Then we can all share together in the comments, too. I need all the suggestions I can get, as well!
I use a recipe very similar to this that I found on allrecipes. I’ll have to try yours and see how they compare. My kids have nut allergies and we use Wowbutter.
Hmm…. I am wondering about adding some vanilla or peanut butter protein powder. I’ll let you know if I try that.
Report back if you try it.
I’m totally handing over the lunch making reins to my older kids this year. I would love to see what you have on your list of acceptable items. I’m thinking of doing something similar.
I made your cookie dough bites yesterday, so yummy! If I were to put some add in I this recipe, how much should I add? I would guess around 1/3 to 1/2 cup?
I’ve found it really depends on what you add in, if that makes sense. But 1/3 cup is a good place to start and you can add more, if needed.
And gluten free!