No-bake Energy Balls are the ultimate no-bake snack I always have the ingredients for and great for meal prep or on-the-go fuel.
I always have these Energy Bites in my fridge.
I always have these Energy Bites in my fridge.They’re my go-to snack for busy days because they’re so easy to whip up; 5-minutes with ingredients I always have on hand! Plus no baking, no fuss, and only one bowl to wash. I like to start with the base recipe for these protein balls, and then mix in whatever I want—protein powder, chopped almonds, raisins, craisins, even butterscotch chips if I’m craving something sweet. You can use any nut butter you like, or even sunflower butter to make them allergy-friendly. My family loves them and I feel good knowing they’re getting a wholesome snack.
A note about the oats: We use a mix of rolled oats and steel cut oats in this recipe. The rolled oats give a soft, chewy texture, while the steel cut oats add a satisfying crunch and a boost of fiber and protein. No need to cook them first—they’ll soften as they chill with the rest of the ingredients.
Want more healthy snacks? Try my Protein Bars, Chocolate Overnight Oats, Applesauce, or Healthy Banana Muffins!
How to make Energy Balls:
Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix until well incorporated. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before forming into balls (if the mixture is too dry, you can add a little more nut butter or honey to help it bind).
Scoop: Use a cookie scoop to make 1 or 2 inch uniform balls then gently roll them with your hands. You can wet your hands with water or spray lightly with cooking spray to make the rolling easier. Enjoy, refrigerate or freeze.
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Recipe
Energy Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (100g)
- 1 cup steel cut oats (176g)
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (60g)
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal (25g), like Rice Krispies or crushed rice chex
- 1 cup peanut butter (258g), or other nut butter)
- 1 cup ground flaxseed (120g)
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips (113g)
- 3/4 cup honey (255g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10mL)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup steel cut oats, ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut, 1 cup crispy rice cereal, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup ground flaxseed, 2/3 cup chocolate chips, ¾ cup honey, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 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). Keep refrigerated for an easy snack on the go.
- Feel free to include other “add-ins” like chopped almonds, raisins, etc.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, depending on freshness of your ingredients.
Notes
- Add dried fruit: dates, raisins, or anything you like.
- Higher protein: add 1 scoop of protein powder (any flavor) and about 1 Tablespoon more honey to ensure they aren't dry or crumbly.
- Add nuts: Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
- Without flaxseed: Replace flaxseed with an extra ½ cup oats or cereal.
- Nut Butter: Swap out the peanut butter for almond butter or any nut butter. You may also use sunflower butter for anyone with a nut allergy!
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe March 2017. Updated July 2020, January 2022, and July 2025.
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Great recipe! My kids love them!
Hi
Does the coconut shredded has to be dried one or the fresh white flesh from a coconut ?
Hi
Does the coconut shredded has to be dried one or the fresh white flesh from a coconut ?
These are the absolute best!! Ended up making 28 larger balls 🙂
So happy you liked them! Thanks Chelsea.
Can I not add ground flaxseed?
Sure, you can!
Quaker has steel cut oats and also an instant version same nutrition. The instant isn’t as crunchy if you prefer a smoother feel.
Steel cut oats take 20-30 minutes to cook. How do they soften enough for this recipe?
Thanks
Barb
You’re right, we don’t cook the oats for this recipe. They add a tender “chew”y grain texture to the bites, but they’re not “hard”.
Aré the oats cooked or raw?
Raw Oats
? I FINALLY FOUND THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR A SCHOOL SNACK!!! You are a pure creative genius. My mom and I have searched far and wide for a snack rich in calories, because I normally don’t eat enough of them. I’m already on the 10th percentile of weight for my age and maybe, hopefully, this will be the snack that brings me back to life! Thanks for posting this, it really REALLY helps!
Oh man. These are the absolute best snack! We love this recipe SO MUCH!
These energy bites are delicious! Any nutrition info details like approximate calories/fat/carbs/protein, etc. I realize it will depend on the size of the ball. 🙂
Hi Paulette, I don’t include nutritional info because, like you said, it varies so much by size of the ball and what people add to them. MyFitnessPal.com has a pretty good calculator you could try.