10+ Energy Bites and Balls

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Whip up a batch of No-Bake Energy Balls for the ultimate portable snack! They are perfect to pack in a lunchbox for work, school, or travel. Or, just keep some on hand to grab when you need a little boost. All of these easy energy bites recipes are gluten free, and most can be made vegan too!

A two-by-three collage of different energy bites with a transparent white box in the middle with text overlay that says "No-Bake Energy Balls Recipes".

What are Energy Balls?

Energy balls (also sometimes called energy bites) are no-bake snacks that you can whip up in minutes! They’re easy to customize with your favorite flavors and superfood ingredients to meet any of your allergy needs. Toss a few ingredients in a food processor or stir them together, and then roll the sticky mixture into balls. They are quick to make and are perfect for packing to take to school, work, or on a road trip.

Because they typically contain a combination of whole-grain carbs, fat, protein, and fiber, I find they help me feel full and fueled during any busy day. It’s an easy way to pack in a variety of ingredients like fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

Common ingredients in energy balls:

Energy bites usually only have a few ingredients, but by choosing different ones, you can make any number of different flavor combinations depending on what you like.

  • Dried fruitdried dates are a common base for many energy ball recipes. They are sticky and form a paste that can be rolled. Other options include raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, figs, and even coconut.
  • Fresh or thawed frozen fruit – bananas, pineapple, and even thawed and drained frozen berries are sometimes mixed in. In this case, you’ll typically need more grains or something else for binding the bites.
  • Grainsoats or even cooked quinoa are often found in energy bites to add fiber and bulk. However, you’ll also find recipes that are grain free and paleo-friendly.
  • Nuts and nut butter – peanut butter, almond butter, or another nut or sunflower seed butter are great for binding ingredients. Meanwhile, nuts like walnuts or pecans also add some texture and crunch. Almond meal can be a grain-free alternative to bulk up those balls.
  • Seeds – flax, hemp, chia, and other seeds sneak in some extras.
  • Protein powder – I typically don’t add protein powder to my energy ball recipes. That being said, some like to boost the protein with whey, collagen, pea, or other protein powders.
  • Flavors and mix-ins – have some fun and make them extra tasty with spices, extracts, or even cocoa powder. And fun mix-ins like mini chocolate chips or even a few sprinkles never hurt!

How To Make Energy Balls

The ingredients are stirred together with something sticky like honey to bind them together. Or, if you’re using dried fruit (which is already sticky), broken down to a thick paste in a food processor. You can also use a high-powered blender like a Blendtec with the Twister Jar, which has a lid that allows you to scrape down the sides while it blends.

This mixture is then scooped up into portions of about one tablespoon and rolled into balls. Here’s a quick video to show you the basic techniques and a few recipes.

Proper Storage

  • Countertop – Most can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.
  • Refrigerator – If they contain fresh fruit or other perishable ingredients, keep the container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Those made with dried fruit and grains last in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
  • Freezer – You can also put your energy balls in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to six months. Just pull out a few at a time at least a few hours before you plan to eat them.

10+ Recipes for No-Bake Energy Balls

Get ready to try these recipes and find your favorite energy bites to snack on!

An energy ball with a bite taken out next to other energy balls.

Chocolate Energy Balls

Sweetened with dates, and packed with almond flour and nut butter, plus cocoa powder, of course, for rich chocolatey flavor. Perfect for tummy rumbles and a sweet tooth!
Chocolate Energy Balls Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Energy Balls

You only need four ingredients and a few minutes to make this easy, nut-free snack kids love. They taste like a sweet and sticky caramel apple with the perfect hint of cinnamon, which means you won't be able to stop popping them in your mouth.
Apple Cinnamon Energy Balls Recipe
Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls on a piece of burlap.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls

The chocolate and peanut butter fix you crave (plus a dose of banana for good measure) in a quick and easy snack with only 8 ingredients. It's a perfect way to satisfy those rich chocolate candy cravings.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls Recipe
A few cherry chocolate chip energy balls on a board.

Chocolate Chip Cherry Energy Balls

These tasty little treats have a sweet cherry flavor, a pretty pinkish color, and busts of mini chips. They have no nuts, gluten, or dairy (if you use dairy-free chips), so feel free to share, if you don't want them all yourself.
Chocolate Chip Cherry Energy Balls
Coconut Apricot Energy Balls in a stack coated with shredded coconut

Apricot Coconut Energy Balls

Get ready to snack on these tasty bites with exotic flavors nobody can resist. It's even more fun to roll them in coconut because they look like donut holes, but better!
Apricot Coconut Energy Balls Recipe
Pineapple coconut energy balls in a small white bowl on a piece of burlap and two more on a cloth napkin

Pineapple Coconut Energy Balls

These little bites have a big burst of sweet and delicious tropical flavor. You can assemble them in minutes, but a little time in the fridge makes them soft and chewy.
Pineapple Coconut Energy Balls Recipe
A small white bowl overflowing with Pumpkin Energy Bites.

Pumpkin Energy Balls

Add the flavors of pumpkin and warm cinnamon and nutmeg, plus bursts of mini chocolate chips. You can now enjoy energy balls with everyone's favorite fall flavors.
Pumpkin Energy Balls Recipe
Cranberry Almond Energy Balls in a small dish with one of the snack bites infront of the dish on a piece of burlap.

Cranberry Energy Balls

There are only four ingredients in these sweet and nutty snacks. But it's the perfect simple combination that makes them sweet, tangy, and satisfying.
Cranberry Energy Balls Recipe
Bananas in the background of a container of Chunky Monkey banana energy balls.

Chunky Monkey Banana Energy Balls

This snack is inspired by a favorite ice cream flavor. They are loaded with chunks of dark chocolate and walnuts plus sweet bananas, and more!
Chunky Monkey Banana Energy Balls Recipe

Peach Energy Balls

Satisfy a sweets craving with this easy snack. These have the nutty, caramelized peach flavor of a classic peach crisp dessert.
Peach Energy Balls Recipe

Birthday Cake Energy Bites

Enjoy everything you love about birthday cake with ingredients like oats, cashew butter, flax, and maple syrup instead of butter, sugar, and flour. Plus, of course, rainbow sprinkles for good measure.
Birthday Cake Energy Bites Recipe

PB&J Energy Bites

Think outside the bread! Kids and kids-at-heart love this no-bake snack with a peanut butter oat mixture and a surprise pop of strawberry jelly on the inside.
PB&J Energy Bites Recipe

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

If you like Monster Cookies, you'll love these loaded little bites. They are a make-ahead snack with just a bit of sweet tooth indulgence.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls Recipe
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