5-Minute Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites

No bake protein packed peanut butter energy bites that taste like peanut butter cookie dough with an amazing chewy texture. These healthy peanut butter energy bites are loaded with nutritious ingredients like flaxseed, chia and oats for the perfect no bake snack.

Ingredients in peanut butter energy bites

These wonderful no bake peanut butter energy balls are loaded with some of my favorite things. They take 5 minutes tops and you have yourself a nutritious, homemade snack with healthy fats, omega-3s, and over 5g protein per serving!

• Peanut butter: I recommend using an all natural drippy creamy peanut butter with only peanuts + salt as the ingredients. I’ve also made them with almond butter, and cashew butter works, too, but everyone knows peanut butter reigns king on Ambitious Kitchen.

• Oats: be sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats, and if you’re gluten free, be sure to use certified gluten free rolled oats.

• Sweetener: good news, you can use honey, coconut palm syrup or date syrup in these energy bites! If you want to make these vegan, use coconut palm syrup or date syrup. A little sweetener gives them that peanut butter cookie flavor. You can also chop up dates instead of using these sweeteners.

• Flaxseed meal: this provides a boost of healthy fats, fiber, protein and vitamins. It’s also great for lactating mamas.

• Chia seeds: a boost of healthy fats and omegas to help keep you fuller, longer.

• Vanilla extract: the one and only. Feel free to skip if you don’t have it, or learn how to make your own here!

• Protein powder: I prefer to use unflavored collagen peptides or this vegan protein powder, but you can use whatever protein powder you prefer.

• Cinnamon: a dash of cinnamon helps these taste like Teddy Grahams, I swear.

• Mini chocolate chips: because who doesn’t love a little chocolate in their life? Feel free to use vegan/dairy free chocolate chips if you’d like.

• Optional: I personally love to add unsweetened shredded coconut because I’m a coconut addict, but it’s definitely not necessary.

  Can I make them without protein powder?

  Sure! These peanut butter protein balls should be just fine without protein powder. You may just need to add more oats if the mixture feels too wet.

  Easily make them nut free

  Feel free to swap the peanut butter and use sunflower seed butter instead! They’ll be great for lunch boxes for kiddos.

  

  How to make no bake energy bites

  1. With a food processor: add in the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, protein powder, flaxseed meal, oats, cinnamon and chia seeds. Pulse together until well combined. Add in chocolate chips (and coconut if using) and pulse a few more times. Use a medium cookie scoop or your hands to grab dough and roll into 10 balls.

  2. Without a food processor: add wet ingredients to a medium bowl, mix to combine. Add in dry ingredients and mix together until combined. I usually have to use my hands to mix and work with the dough. At this point you should be able to form balls that stick together. You may need to add a bit more nut butter and/or sweetener to help them stick together.

     Want to make bars instead?

     Instead of rolling the mixture into balls, press the energy bite “dough” into an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan before placing it in the refrigerator. Cut into bars and enjoy!

     Ingredients

     • 1/2 cup natural drippy peanut butter (or sub almond butter)

     • 1/4 cup honey (or date syrup or coconut syrup)

     • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

     • 1/3 cup protein powder of choice*

     • 1/3 cup flaxseed meal

     • 1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten free, if desired)

     • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

     • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

     • 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)

     • Optional

     • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

     Instructions

     • In the bowl of a food processor, add in the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, protein powder, flaxseed meal, oats, cinnamon and chia seeds. Pulse together until well combined. Add in chocolate chips (and coconut if using) and pulse a few more times. Use a medium cookie scoop or your hands to grab dough and roll into 10 balls, place in an airtight container.

     • To make without food processor: add wet ingredients to a medium bowl, mix to combine. Add in dry ingredients and mix together until combined. I usually have to use my hands to mix and work with the dough. At this point you should be able to form balls that stick together. Because all peanut butter/nut butter consistencies are different and depending on what protein powder you use, you may need to add in more nut butter or sweetener to help the balls stick together.

     • Store in the fridge for up to 1 week, or the freezer for up to 2 months. Enjoy!

     Nutrition

     Serving: 1energy bite

     Calories: 150cal

     Carbohydrates: 14g Protein: 6.6g Fat: 8.8g Saturated Fat: 1.2g Fiber: 3.2g Sugar: 7.7g