Say hello to your new healthy snack addiction: these no-bake energy bites are easy to make, the perfect combination of sweet and salty, have plenty of added protein thanks to the peanut butter, and kids absolutely love them because they’re basically delicious no-bake cookies!
We’ve been on an energy bites kick since early last year, so I thought, to ring in the new year, I’d share another healthy-ish no-bake cookie recipe our whole family loves.
Energy bites, or no-bake cookies, are basically a take on classic no-bake cookies, without all of the added sugar, plus a few healthier ingredients. They’re also naturally gluten-free. (One of our original, more classic ball recipes for no-bake energy bites can be found right here.) And, great news: you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry right this very second. With energy bites, customization is the name of the game. Switch out the kind of nut butter you prefer, add chocolate chips, ground flax seeds, coconut flakes, etc., and choose your natural sweetener (like honey, agave, or maple syrup.)
In our house, we’re total snack-a-holics.
Especially as the afternoon hours tick on, I find myself in that 3′ o clock afternoon slump, craving something salty and sweet. Which is why, having a batch of these sweet and salty no-bake peanut butter oatmeal energy bites in the refrigerator has become a no-brainer.
If you’re craving something sweet, and just a little bit salty, grab what you need, stir all of those ingredients together until combined (Psst … just use your hands! I do.), and throw them in the refrigerator for at least a few minutes. Easy peasy!
These no-bake peanut butter oatmeal energy bites in particular, are one of my favorite flavor combinations of late. I love how the pretzel, oats, and almonds add the perfect amount of crunch and salt to the sweet honey and peanut butter.
We even get our little ones in on the action. Our 4 year old, Scarlett, always helps me to stir everything together and then roll the cookies into balls. Emme, our youngest, is particularly good at “tasting” our bites to make sure they’re good.
And if the ease of this healthier snack is not a ringing endorsement on its own, my little girl cannot get enough of these. Seriously, I’m amazed at what a hit this snack is with the kids.
Sweet and salty no-bake peanut butter oatmeal energy bites Recipe
Sweet and Salty No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry oats (I like to use 1/2 old fashioned oatmeal and 1/2 quick cook oats)
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (almond butter also works great)
- 1/4 cup honey, agave, or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted almonds
- dash of salt (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add all of the ingredients and stir to combine well. The mixture should be sticky. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
- Once, chilled, scoop about a tablespoon of the cookie ball mixture into your hand and roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture, which should yield about 12-14 energy balls.
- Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for much longer.
Notes
Optional: add in things like toasted coconut flakes, chocolate chips (we use and love these dairy-free chips), chia seeds, flax seeds (you can grind them up in a food processor or buy them ground), etc.
Recipe adapted via Bless This Mess
You can also just press the mixture into a baking dish lined with parchment paper and make energy bars instead (though our kids get a a kick out of the “bites,” especially when I make teeny tiny bites just for them; and to be honest, I really like the bites myself because they help me with portions.)
These little snacks are really customizable and fun.
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Photos by Annie Timmons Photography for Glitter, Inc.
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