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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Do we need to cook oats before adding to mixture? Excited to make these with my 3 year old!
No. Enjoy!
I didn’t have rice cereal so used multi-grain Cheerios and they were delicious. And just used steel cut oats. Turned out great!
Have you ever added whey protein powder to either your granola bars or the energy bites?
I haven’t but there’s no reason you cant! If the mixture seems too dry, add more wet (honey or peanut butter) to help it stick together.
Made these for my family with picky 7 and 5 year olds and they are a huge hit! I left out coconut and flaxseed for personal preference.
I even took them to a family dinner as a dessert and everyone devoured them. Super addicting! Bonus that they are healthy.
Great Idea! I have been searching the web lately for great ideas to help our family eat better while maintaining our current work load. So far all of your recipes and suggestions have been wonderfully helpful 😀 I am curious, how long would something like this last in the fridge and also, have you ever frozen them?
I have never frozen them however, they store in fridge in airtight container for weeks. Enjoy.
I store them frozen – and just get out what I need. They seem fine.
Hello! What can I substitute the rice crispy with? I never buy cereal and prefer the use something else than that. Thank you!
Just leave them out, and add another cup of oats. Enjoy!
How much is per serving that is equal to 128 calories as stated?
One energy bite.
I have three very picky little kids and they had so much fun making and eating these! Thanks for the perfect snack idea.
If I don’t have steel cut oats can you just use double regular old fashioned oats??
You could, you will just want to adjust the amount that you add. You want the mixture to be a little wet/sticky but workable to form into balls.
Thanks for this! I googled milled flaxseed still cut oats and peanut butter as it was all I had on hand. I did cook the steel cut oats in the microwave with water for five minutes only and added Quakers instant oatmeal maple and brown sugar 1 pack as well. I used 2 tbsp of jif peanut butter 1 tbsp milled flaxseed 1/4 cup steel cut oats. I didn’t use any coconut flakes or extras like yours but still delicious: per my fitness pal I yielded six balls
66 cal per serving
Total Fat 2.9g 4%
Saturated Fat 0.5g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 47mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 12.7g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g 9%
Total Sugars 2.6g
Protein 2.3g
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 21mg 0%