I’m sharing my quick five-ingredient No Bake Energy Bites plus the small pantry swap that makes them the easiest snack to stash for busy days.

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I always keep a stash of these little power balls when hunger hits between meals. With old fashioned rolled oats and natural peanut butter as the backbone, they somehow stay chewy and filling without any baking.

I call them my No Bake Protein Energy Balls Healthy go to, or just Oatmeal Energy Bites when Im trying to sound casual and people LOVE them. They’re stupid simple but somehow feel like a treat, perfect for school bags or mid afternoon brain fog.

Try one and you’ll probably hide the rest because they disappear fast and nobody complains.

Ingredients

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Rolled oats provide whole grain fiber and slow release carbs, they help keep you full
Natural peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats, helps bind and keep you full
Honey is a natural sweetener, quick carbs for energy and a sticky binder
Ground flaxseed gives extra fiber and omega 3s, adds nutty flavor and bulk
Mini chocolate chips add chocolatey bursts, little sweetness without overwhelming each bite
Oats and flax together boost fiber and make the bites more filling, steadier energy
Peanut butter and honey create chew and sweetness, keeps them no bake friendly

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats, they get soggy)

1/2 cup natural peanut butter, stirred so it mixes easy

1/3 cup honey, add a bit more if you like sweeter)

1/3 cup ground flaxseed (flax meal)

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, or 1/4 cup if your watching calories

How to Make this

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1. Make sure the 1/2 cup natural peanut butter is well stirred so it mixes easy; if its very stiff warm it in a small bowl for about 10 seconds to loosen.

2. In a medium bowl combine 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats and 1/3 cup ground flaxseed, stir to blend.

3. Add the stirred peanut butter and 1/3 cup honey to the dry mix and mix till everything is evenly coated and holds together.

4. If the mixture seems too dry add 1 to 2 teaspoons more honey or a little extra peanut butter; if too wet add a tablespoon of oats at a time till it firms up.

5. Fold in 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (or 1/4 cup if youre watching calories) so theyre evenly distributed.

6. Chill the bowl in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes so the mixture firms up and is easier to roll.

7. Scoop about a tablespoon of mixture and roll between your palms into bite sized balls; dont worry if theyre imperfect.

8. If the dough sticks to your hands wet them slightly or dust with a few oats before rolling.

9. Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for up to three months; thaw a few minutes before eating.

Equipment Needed

1. Medium mixing bowl
2. Small microwave-safe bowl (to loosen stiff peanut butter)
3. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, teaspoons)
4. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
5. Fork or small whisk (for stirring peanut butter and flax)
6. Tablespoon measure or small cookie scoop (for portioning)
7. Baking sheet or plate lined with parchment or wax paper (for chilling)
8. Airtight container for storing in fridge or freezer

FAQ

Q: How long will these keep? A: They'll keep about 1 week in an airtight container in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge or at room temp for 20-30 minutes.

Q: Can I swap the peanut butter for something else? A: Yes, almond or cashew butter work great, and sunflower seed butter is a good nut free option. If the swap is much runnier you might need a little more oats or flax to firm them up.

Q: What if I don't want to use honey? A: Use maple syrup or agave at the same amount. You can also use mashed banana or date paste but that changes texture and makes them softer, so add more oats or flax if needed.

Q: Mine are too crumbly or too sticky, what do I do? A: If crumbly add more peanut butter or honey, or press the mixture very firmly when rolling and chill longer. If too sticky add a tablespoon or two more oats or flax and chill before rolling.

Q: Can I use quick oats instead of old fashioned rolled oats? A: Try to use old fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats absorb more and get mushy so the bite wont be as good. If you only have quick oats, reduce the liquid a bit and chill longer.

Q: How many calories are in one bite and how many does the recipe make? A: Expect roughly 18 to 24 one inch bites, depending on size. Each bite is about 90 to 120 calories, vary based on peanut butter and chocolate chip amounts.

Five Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Oats: swap old fashioned rolled oats for gluten free rolled oats or quinoa flakes (use 1 cup). Quick oats can work but they make the bites softer and kinda mushy, so avoid if you want chew.
Peanut butter: use almond butter or sunflower seed butter 1:1 if you need a nut free option. They’re usually a tad runnier, so chill the mixture a bit before rolling.
Honey: replace with pure maple syrup or agave nectar 1:1. Maple gives a deeper flavor but makes the mix slightly looser, you might add a tablespoon extra flax or chill longer.
Ground flaxseed: substitute ground chia seeds 1:1 and let the mix sit 5 minutes so they gel, or use hemp hearts same volume but expect a softer, less binding texture so add an extra tablespoon of oats if needed.

Pro Tips

1) Warm the natural peanut butter for like 8 to 12 seconds in the microwave if its stiff, it makes mixing so much easier, or stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil to loosen without heating. If the mix feels crumbly after chilling add a little extra honey or peanut butter a tsp at a time till it holds.

2) Roll faster and cleaner by using a small cookie scoop or melon baller, then finish shaping with slightly damp palms or dusted oats so the dough dont stick to your hands. You can also press the mixture into a parchment lined pan, chill, then cut into squares if you dont feel like rolling.

3) Boost flavor and nutrition by toasting the oats and flax lightly in a dry pan for a minute or two, or stir in a pinch of salt, cinnamon or vanilla extract. Swap some chocolate for chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruit, or add a scoop of protein powder if you want it more filling.

4) For storage and transport freeze individual bites on a tray first so they dont clump then pop into a bag, they thaw fast at room temp; refrigerated they last about a week but taste best after resting an hour out of the fridge so they soften up.

Five Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites Recipe

Recipe by Samantha Dalling

0.0 from 0 votes

I’m sharing my quick five-ingredient No Bake Energy Bites plus the small pantry swap that makes them the easiest snack to stash for busy days.

Servings

servings

Calories

157

kcal

Equipment: 1. Medium mixing bowl
2. Small microwave-safe bowl (to loosen stiff peanut butter)
3. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, teaspoons)
4. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
5. Fork or small whisk (for stirring peanut butter and flax)
6. Tablespoon measure or small cookie scoop (for portioning)
7. Baking sheet or plate lined with parchment or wax paper (for chilling)
8. Airtight container for storing in fridge or freezer

Ingredients

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats, they get soggy)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter, stirred so it mixes easy
1/3 cup honey, add a bit more if you like sweeter)
1/3 cup ground flaxseed (flax meal)
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, or 1/4 cup if your watching calories

Directions

Make sure the 1/2 cup natural peanut butter is well stirred so it mixes easy; if its very stiff warm it in a small bowl for about 10 seconds to loosen.
In a medium bowl combine 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats and 1/3 cup ground flaxseed, stir to blend.
Add the stirred peanut butter and 1/3 cup honey to the dry mix and mix till everything is evenly coated and holds together.
If the mixture seems too dry add 1 to 2 teaspoons more honey or a little extra peanut butter; if too wet add a tablespoon of oats at a time till it firms up.
Fold in 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (or 1/4 cup if youre watching calories) so theyre evenly distributed.
Chill the bowl in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes so the mixture firms up and is easier to roll.
Scoop about a tablespoon of mixture and roll between your palms into bite sized balls; dont worry if theyre imperfect.
If the dough sticks to your hands wet them slightly or dust with a few oats before rolling.
Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for up to three months; thaw a few minutes before eating.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.