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Made with simple ingredients and sweetened with dates, these No-Bake Energy Bites are a delicious and nourishing treat that take just minutes to make!
My Favorite Energy Bites Recipe
Inspired by both my copycat larabar recipe and homemade granola bar recipe, I introduce to you my version of Energy Bites (AKA Energy Balls).
Regardless of what you call them, this easy-no bake treat is packed with nourishing ingredients that are designed to give you a boost without a sugar crash.
Even better? They taste incredibly delicious, are endlessly versatile, and come together in minutes!
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Energy Bite Ingredients
Made with oats, nuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, and dates, these energy bites are packed with whole grains, healthy fats, and nutrients. Keep the following in mind when selecting ingredients.
- Dates: Instead of being sweetened with honey or maple syrup, this energy ball recipe uses whole dates, which not only naturally sweeten the bites, but also add in micronutrients and fiber. Both dried pitted Deglet Nour Dates or dried Medjool dates work in this recipe.
- Oats: Use rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cook), not steel-cut oats! Use certified gluten-free oats if you need these energy bites to be gluten-free.
- Nuts: Use any variety or combination of dry roasted, unsalted nut you like. Peanuts, almonds, cashews, shelled pistachios, or walnuts. Even nut butter works with modifications.
- For Added Nutrition: Adding both chia seeds and ground flaxseed add fiber, protein, and healthy fats to the energy balls.
- To Flavor: Vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt balance out the flavor in these oat balls.
How to Make Energy Bites
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Soften Dates. In order for the dates to form a thick rich paste that will sweeten the energy balls, they need to be soaked in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Don't Discard Soaking Liquid
After soaking the dates, drain off and RESERVE the liquid. That liquid may be needed to help bring the energy bite mixture together.
- Process Dates. Place the drained dates into a food processor fitted with an s-blade and process until a thick paste forms.
- Add Remaining Ingredients. Add the oats, nuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, vanilla, and a pinch of salt and pulse until the mixture comes together. If the mixture feels dry or won't roll into balls, add the reserved soaking liquid, a teaspoon at a time, until the mixture reaches the right consistency.
- Roll into Balls. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop the mixture out into small balls. Once the bites are portioned out, use moistened hands to roll the the mixture into a ball. Hence why energy bite are often called energy balls. 😉
Energy Bite Variations
There are ENDLESS ways to flavor energy balls and options for even making these bites nut-free. See below for some options.
- Chocolate Chip: After processing, stir in up to ¼ cup mini chocolate chips.
- Cinnamon Raisin: Add ¼ cup of raisins and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with oats and nuts.
- Almond Joy: Use almonds as your nuts. After processing, stir in up to ¼ cup each of mini chocolate chips and shredded coconut.
- Cranberry White Chocolate: Add ¼ cup of dried cranberries when adding oats and nuts. After processing the dough, stir in up to ¼ cup white chocolate chips.
- Pumpkin Spice : Add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice along with the oats and nuts. I would also recommend using walnuts as your nut of choice.
- Add Protein: Replace 2 tablespoons of oats with 2 tablespoons of your favorite protein powder.
- Nut-Free: Replace nuts with ¼ cup soy butter.
- Nut Butter Swap: Replace ½ cup of nuts with ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter or nut butter of choice.
More Favorite Snack Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
No-Bake Energy Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup pitted whole dates
- ½ cup rolled oats, old-fashioned or quick-cook
- ½ cup dry roasted unsalted nuts, or ¼ cup nut butter of choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 small pinch sea salt, omit if nuts are salted
Instructions
- Place ½ cup pitted whole dates in heat-safe shallow bowl and cover with hot water. Let the dates soak for 5-10 minutes, or until softened. Drain off the dates, reserving the liquid.
- Place the soaked dates into a food processor that has been fitted with an s-blade. and process lightly until the dates form a thick paste.
- To the date paste, add ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup dry roasted unsalted nuts (or ¼ cup of nut butter), 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 small pinch sea salt (omit if nuts are salted). Pulse the mixture together until the mixture just comes together, adding up to 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved soaking liquid to the mixture if needed.
- Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once all the dough is portioned out, use moistened hands to roll the the mixture into a ball.
- Let harden in the fridge for at least 10 minutes. Once hardened, transfer the energy balls to an airtight container. Store in balls in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally shared in 2017 and updated in 2025.
Recipe says 1/2 cup oats, directions say 1 cup oats. Which is correct?
It is 1/2 cup of rolled oats 🙂
Awesome 👍🏻👍🏻
This is so delicious and yummy! My hubby loved these!
These were so easy and delicious! The perfect last-night sweets craving recipe. 🙂 I'm excited to make these again! Thanks for the great recipe.
Such an easy and delicious no bake dessert!