• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Soup, Stew & Chili
    • Dinner Recipes
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • One Pot Recipes
    • Cuisine / Region
      • American
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dips, Dressings, and Salsa
    • Slow Cooker
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Holiday
  • ABOUT
    • TKG Featured In
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USE
  • SHOP

The Kitchen Girl logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Soup, Stew & Chili
    • Dinner Recipes
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • One Pot Recipes
    • Cuisine / Region
      • American
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dips, Dressings, and Salsa
    • Slow Cooker
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Holiday
  • ABOUT
    • TKG Featured In
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USE
  • SHOP
×

Home » Recipes » Snacks

by Traci · Published: 02/12/2019 · Updated: 10/26/2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

No Bake Energy Bites

1.8K shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email recipe
Jump To Recipe
5 from 17 votes
15 minutes

Chocolate No Bake Energy Bites are made with 6 pantry staples in 15 minutes. They're soft, chewy, and satisfy the deepest chocolate cravings. These energy balls taste rich and indulgent, but they're secretly nutritious, just like my chocolate energy bars!

chocolate energy bites lined up on off-white background
Table of Contents hide
1) Energy bites healthy energy balls
2) Energy bite ingredients
3) These energy bites are brownie bites with benefits
4) How long do energy bites stay fresh?
5) Energy bites are convenient
6) How to make energy bites
7) Energy Bites Recipe Notes and Tips
8) Energy Bite Recipe Tips
9) No Bake Energy Bites

Energy bites healthy energy balls

When I think of the perfect, healthy snack of all time...I think of an energy ball! These cuties are like the super healthy version of brownie bites. They have the same effect too...as in, you can't eat just one.

They really satisfy my sweet tooth and chocolate cravings, yet there's no refined sugar OR processed chocolate in them! Nope. Just unsweetened cocoa, combined with dates, maple syrup, and a few other pantry ingredients.

Yay! A naturally sweetened, chocolate snack that I can actually feel good about eating.

Energy bite ingredients

  • pitted dates
  • unsweetened cocoa powder
  • rolled oats
  • unsalted cashews (or any nut)
  • almond flour (almond meal)
  • maple syrup
  • (optional) salt

These energy bites are brownie bites with benefits

  • made with minimally processed ingredients
  • naturally vegan
  • sweetened with dates and maple syrup
  • no cholesterol
  • a source of fiber, iron, protein, and potassium

How long do energy bites stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container, energy bites can retain optimal freshness 3-5 days either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. You'll notice after that, they can become dry and crumbly.

In our house, these babies never last beyond 36 hours, because I devour them, one by one, every couple hours.

Yet, somehow I always forget to double the recipe. (shrugs shoulders)

Energy bites are convenient

  • meal prepped snack in 15 minutes
  • no baking and no freezing necessary
  • kid-friendly
  • packable snack
  • fulfills chocolate cravings without refined sugar
  • eat for breakfast, or a midday snack, or pre/post workout
chocolate energy bites scattered on off-white background

How to make energy bites

*see full recipe below

1. Place all ingredients (except maple syrup) in a food processor.

Chocolate energy bite ingredients in food processor

2. Process mixture until a dry, fine mixture forms.

3. Add maple syrup through the top opening; pulsing to form moist, coarse crumbles.

chocolate dough crumbles in food processor

4. Turn crumbly dough out from food processor into a bowl. Lightly compress it with your hands or a spoon to make a cohesive lump of dough.

5. Portion dough into bite-sized balls with your hands or a portion scoop.

Chocolate dough packed into portion scoop over food processor with chocolate dough in it

6. Roll each ball between your hands to create a uniform surface and compacted ingredients

chocolate energy bites lined up on off-white background

Energy Bites Recipe Notes and Tips

Ingredients

Pitted Dates: You're probably most familiar with dates sold in U.S. grocery stores. They are 1) Deglet Noor pitted dates and 2) Medjool dates (with pits).

I love both types of dates and will use what I have on hand for this recipe. If you use Medjool dates, just be sure to remove the pits!

Oats: I use old fashioned rolled oats because I always have them in my pantry. Use any dry oats you like.

Cocoa: I prefer "unsweetened" cocoa for this recipe...nothing else.

Almond Flour or Almond Meal: I find it doesn't matter which one you use...the two are interchangeable in this recipe.

Nuts: Use any nuts you like! I personally prefer them raw and unsalted since they are less processed than roasted, salted, etc.

Nut Butter: I didn’t use nut butter for this recipe, but you can easily substitute the nuts for an equal amount of peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.

Dessert: Turn these energy bites into a delicious dessert by dipping into a silky chocolate ganache and allowing it to set up in the refrigerator.

Recipe Tools

I recommend using a food processor with a minimum power of 600 watts for this recipe. Here's my tried and true, long-standing favorite model.

chocolate dough crumbles in food processor

I don't know of any "mini" processors that are cut out for a recipe like this. They simply lack the power to break the ingredients down into the right texture.

The Vitamix blender also works for this recipe. Just make sure you have your tamper at the ready because you'll need it to keep the ingredients moving.

Energy Bite Recipe Tips

Tip #1: Blending

When you initially process the dry ingredients, the mixture will seem very dry and not cohesive at all.

Not to worry. The purpose of this step is to blend the dates, nuts, and oats into a crumbled texture.

The mixture will become cohesive during the next step.

Tip #2: Handling the dough

When processed, the mixture will turn into a malleable dough. You’ll be able to handle it with a stainless steel portion scoop, or with your hands.

When rolling the dough into balls, you'll find it adheres to itself nicely and the balls are easy to form.

Tip #3: How to store energy bites

Once rolled into balls, these bites really don't stick to each other or get messy. In fact, the opposite is true, especially after they've sat overnight.

This makes them like...miracle bites!

So it's not really necessary to separate them with parchment or wax paper, but you're welcome to do so.

chocolate energy bites in white bowl and scattered on off-white background

Energy Bite Add-Ins

Add any of these ingredients to make your energy ball dough more interesting!

  • coconut flakes
  • chia seeds
  • hemp seeds
  • ground flaxseed
  • chocolate chips
  • unsweetened coconut

Tools needed for this recipe

  • 7 cup food processor (fitted with the chopping/mixing dough blade) OR Vitamix blender
  • (optional) ½ Tbsp portion scoop or 1 Tbsp portion scoop
  • small mixing bowl
  • airtight storage container
chocolate energy bites scattered on off-white background

More healthy snack recipes

  • Chocolate Energy Bars (No Bake)
  • Herb Roasted Chickpeas
  • Easy Homemade Granola
  • Baked Kale Chips
chocolate energy bites scattered on off-white background

No Bake Energy Bites

Chocolate No Bake Energy Bites are made with 6 pantry staples in 15 minutes. They're soft, chewy, and satisfy the deepest chocolate cravings. These energy balls taste rich and indulgent, but they're secretly nutritious!
5 from 17 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 16 .5 oz bites
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

INGREDIENTS
 

  • 1 cup Pitted Dried Dates, pitted
  • ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • ¼ cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, uncooked
  • ¼ cup Unsalted Cashews, or any nut
  • 2 tablespoons Almond Flour, or almond meal
  • ⅛ teaspoon Sea Salt, optional
  • 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup

Instructions
 

  • In a 7 cup food processor fitted with the chopping/mixing dough blade attachment, add DATES, COCOA, OATS, CASHEWS, ALMOND FLOUR, and (optional) SALT; process mixture until dry, coarse crumbles form [*Note, it will seem very dry, but don't worry, it'll come together in the next step]
  • Pour MAPLE SYRUP into top opening of food processor; pulsing the mixture until it forms cohesive crumbles.
  • Transfer mixture to a bowl; gently compress it with your hands or a spoon to make a more cohesive dough.
  • Portion dough into bite-sized balls with your hands or a portion scoop.
  • Roll each ball between your hands to create a uniform surface and compacted ingredients.
  • Enjoy immediately, or store up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

RECIPE VIDEO

Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Traci's Recipe Notes

Yield: 8 fl oz
Serving size: ½ oz or 1 Tbsp
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy and are estimates based on unbranded ingredients acquired from a nutrition database. For accurate calculations, please refer to brand packaging information and consult your nutritionist.

Equipment

  • 7-cup food processor fitted with mixing blade

NUTRITION

Serving: 0.5oz | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

Easy FREE recipes to your inbox weeklyJoin The Kitchen Girl community!

More Easy Snack Recipes

  • 32 Easy Super Bowl Food Ideas
  • Honey Hot Wings
  • Authentic Hummus Recipe
  • Citrus Salad
1.8K shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email recipe

Reader Interactions

We love recipe feedback... Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Roxana says

    September 28, 2020 at 7:54 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe! Simple and delicious. Will be making again. My daughter is vegan and I am always looking for good recipes and this one is a keeper.

    Reply
    • The Kitchen Girl says

      September 28, 2020 at 8:17 am

      So glad to hear it, Roxana! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Feel free to share my other vegan recipes with her 🙂

  2. Heather says

    February 20, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe, they are delicious! I'm glad to find a way to get in my dates during these last days of pregnancy and they will sure make for a great labor snack!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 20, 2019 at 4:30 pm

      Thanks so much, Heather! Labor snack...I love it. These satisfy even my most serious chocolate cravings 🙂

  3. Trish Bozeman says

    February 19, 2019 at 6:31 am

    5 stars
    I agree, it's so important to have snacks like this on hand so you don't reach for sugary treats. We love having these in our house because the toddler loves them and they travel well too. Amazing!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 19, 2019 at 7:24 am

      Thanks Trish! They're like little miracle snacks, aren't they?! 🙂

  4. Tracy says

    February 18, 2019 at 8:32 am

    5 stars
    These are my favorite kind of grab n go snacks, too! I know they're going to be long lasting and perfect for something that'll give me just the right amount of sweet without the refined sugars. Another great, one, Traci!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 18, 2019 at 5:38 pm

      Aww thanks, Tracy! You will go crazy for these! I literally cannot keep my hands off of them 🙂

  5. Marisa F. Stewart says

    February 18, 2019 at 4:51 am

    5 stars
    YUM!! Those chocolate energy bites look delicious and better yet they are no bake and easy to make. Our grandsons would love these little snacks. When they visit I'd rather have something nutritious than something that has empty calories. And who am I kidding? I would be making them as much for me as for them. Great recipe.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 18, 2019 at 8:17 am

      Thanks Marisa! Yep, I'd have to hide these from the kids LOL...I srsly cannot stop popping them all day long! 🙂

  6. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says

    February 17, 2019 at 8:23 pm

    5 stars
    I am a FIEND for energy bites! They're my favorite snacks when I'm craving something sweet. The fact that these are CHOCOLATE have me all sorts of excited to try the recipe. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 18, 2019 at 8:16 am

      Haha thanks Kristen! You'll LOVE these then 🙂

  7. Dana says

    February 17, 2019 at 1:01 pm

    5 stars
    Love these gems! Not only do they sate my occasional sweet tooth, but they act as a nice little energy booster. AND. I can eat a few of them without feeling bad about it 😉 WIN.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 17, 2019 at 1:18 pm

      Thanks Dana! Love hearing that! 🙂

  8. Kris says

    February 16, 2019 at 10:09 am

    5 stars
    These little balls of yumminess really are miraculous. Love how the dough just comes together and is so easy to form the balls. And the flavor combination of natural ingredients can't be beat. This is just the perfect go-to delicious (and healthy) snack. Always looking for a great recipe like this. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 17, 2019 at 9:37 am

      Aww thanks Kris! I really appreciate hearing this 🙂 I have a real soft spot for these treats too!

  9. Debra says

    February 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is calling my name. Love stumbling upon something that uses wholesome ingredients and requires little work/time. I would have to put these in the freezer so as not to eat them all in one sitting!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 15, 2019 at 1:32 pm

      Thanks Debra! I'll have to try the freezing tricks b/c I CANNOT keep my hands off these babies! 🙂

  10. Rachel says

    February 13, 2019 at 9:03 pm

    5 stars
    These sound fantastic & I can’t wait to make them! However cashews mess with my stomach...can you please recommend a different nut that would go well with the rest of the flavors?

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 13, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      Hiya friend...great question! I would use just about any nut b/c these are very chocolaty. Macadamia, walnuts, pecans, more almonds...all would be great! I just added notes to the recipe...thanks for asking this 🙂 So, I have to tell you...as you were posting your question, we were enjoying some 'tiny' popcorn and I totally thought of you guys. How cool is that? xoxoxoxo

    • Rachel says

      February 22, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      5 stars
      I just made these with macadamia nuts and they are FANTASTIC - thank you!

      So funny about the tiny popcorn, honored that you thought of us 😉 xoxo

    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 23, 2019 at 5:44 am

      Yay Rachel! I thought you might enjoy these. I cannot stop eating them. When I run out, I make more LOL! Just realized...they'd be great with popcorn 😉

  11. Gloria says

    February 12, 2019 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    We are having a grandkids "sleepover" for 2 nights in a couple of weeks. This would be the perfect treat for them to help me make. I know they would enjoy them, and I am going to need all the energy I can find by the time they go home.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 12, 2019 at 9:10 pm

      How perfect, Gloria! Yes, these are virtually kid proof in that they'd be hard to mess up LOL. Hope you enjoy...and hope they give you energy 🙂

  12. Kelly Anthony says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    These chocolate no bake energy bites will make the perfect after school snack for my girls. I buy something similar but these would be a lot cheaper to make.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 12, 2019 at 2:11 pm

      Yay thanks Kelly! Love hearing that...it's exactly what I had in mind 🙂

  13. Marisa F. Stewart says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    I sure needed these energy bites today. I had so much to do I skipped lunch and then snacked on something that I won't admit to. The chocolate would have satisfied my craving and the rest of the ingredients would satisfy my sweet tooth. I'm printing out the recipe and making it tomorrow.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 12, 2019 at 1:59 pm

      Awww thanks Marisa! I sure wish you had them today too...hope you enjoy tomorrow! 🙂

  14. Kristine says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:20 pm

    5 stars
    This is a such great recipe! I almost always have these ingredients on-hand making it a perfect and easy thing for me to whip up. I'll be making these tasty little treats again, thanks!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 12, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks Kristine! Yes, the ingredients are everyday things we always have...love it! 🙂

  15. Colleen says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:14 pm

    5 stars
    So much goodness in these! A perfect healthy treat that still feels like an indulgence.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 12, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      Thanks Colleen! Yes...we love healthy indulgence! 🙂

  16. Tara says

    February 12, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! I love how easily these energy bites come together and that they are no bake. Definitely perfect for those chocolate cravings.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      February 12, 2019 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks Tara! Yes, they're SO easy! 🙂

Primary Sidebar

Hello from The Kitchen Girl

The Kitchen Girl standing in a white kitchen with brown accents
Hi! I'm Traci and I'm sharing my easy recipes with everyday ingredients, simple instructions, and ALL the flavor. Read more about me.

Game Day Recipes

Delicious Super Bowl recipes!

  • Easy Guacamole Recipe
  • Honey Hot Wings
  • Hot Crab Dip Recipe
  • 7 Layer Dip
  • Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos)

Healthy Recipe Favorites

  • Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad
  • Lentil Chili
  • Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing
  • Juicy Broiled Salmon Recipe

Easy Chicken Dinners

  • Easy Baked Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)
  • Instant Pot Whole Chicken
  • Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili
  • Air Fryer Chicken Legs
  • Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
  • Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Featured Recipes

Easy Dinner Recipes
Simple Charcuterie Board
Baked Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Chilean Sea Bass
Beef Stroganoff
Reuben Sandwich
Easy Guacamole Recipe
Minestrone Soup
Grilled Salmon Recipe
Instant Pot Brown Rice
Easy Crostini Recipe
Baked Chicken Legs
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Tomato Soup Recipe
Instant Pot Soup Recipes
French Bread Recipe
Zuppa Toscana
Best Hummus Recipe
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

©2023 The Kitchen Girl. All Rights Reserved. PRIVACY POLICY

1806 shares