These easy 7-Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites are packed with protein, require minimal effort and are so delicious, you won’t even know they’re good for you, too.
As with any recipe I develop, there’s always a series of versions, adjustments and tasting that come with the territory. For the past few months, the idea of a healthy energy bite that still tastes like a classic No-Bake cookie has occupied my thoughts. Sometimes I want something sweet or chocolatey without a lot of added sugar or other heavy ingredients.
These delicious 7-Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites are packed with protein in the form of peanut butter, nuts and vegan protein powder. Dried cherries and almond milk add a little natural sweetness without any added refined sugar, while oats add gluten free fiber to these tasty treats. No-guilt, healthy snacking tastes pretty darn good.
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Food to fuel the mind and body
I recently had the pleasure of cooking lunch for a group of friends. Raise your hand if you enjoy cooking for others and watching their faces as they bite into something that brings them joy! You understand where I’m coming from then.
This group was participating in a day-long training session on a Friday. The food had to be delicious- that was a given, but I also wanted it to be healthful. I wanted it to provide the necessary fuel for a day of learning – and it had to be fun.
We chose a build-your-own-power-bowl theme for the lunch. On one side of the table were all the fixings to build Latin flavor-inspired Healthy 4-Element Power Bowls. These power bowls featured quinoa, beans, veggies, chicken as a lean protein and were topped with a fresh avocado buttermilk dressing and pickled onions.
The other side of the buffet table was dedicated to Team Healthy 4-Element Soba Noodle Salad. Soba buckwheat noodles, fresh veggies, peanuts and chicken tossed in a Thai Peanut Coconut Sauce rounded out this power bowl.
It was a good, healthy spread, but it felt like something was missing – a dessert. I have to believe I’m not the only person on this planet that can ruin a perfectly healthy meal with a decadent pie or pastry at the end. I love baking, so offering a dessert is really not optional in my book. But how to keep it healthy?
Healthy 7-Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites for the win.
I’d been working on developing a recipe for these little 7-Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites for some time. I decided to take them along for the group to try and offer feedback. Although I trust my taste buds, I think it’s important to let others try dishes in development from time to time, too. It’s easy to become “flavor blind” – especially if it’s something I’ve been tasting and adjusting for several weeks in a row. Sometimes recipes come together immediately, but there are other times when I will often set aside a recipe in development for a few weeks to give my palate a rest between versions.
These little healthy 7-Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites ended up being a hit. And since we were already enjoying them at home, I decided it was time to release the recipe after they were tested and approved by the team.
Packed with protein, fiber and other good stuff
So what’s in these 7-Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites anyway? For starters, they are packed with protein. In this recipe, I call for peanut butter (crunchy or smooth), peanuts and an additional 1/4 cup of protein powder.
I used Orgain Creamy Chocolate Fudge Protein Powder but you can use your favorite variety of protein powder as a substitute. If you have a sensitivity to quinoa, pea protein or other ingredient, it’s important to use a protein powder that is friendly to your system.
Old fashioned rolled oats, cocoa powder, and dried Montmorency tart cherries deliver fiber and a burst of bright flavor to these tasty protein energy balls. A touch of almond milk brings it all together.
One of the things I love about this protein bites recipe is how quickly it comes together. All the ingredients are blended together in a food processor. After a few pulses, a thick dough comes together. Simply scoop the dough into 22 portions (a task that is made even easier with the help of a small cookie scoop) and roll into balls. Chill for two hours in the refrigerator until they firm up and the flavors come together.
After that, you’re ready to start snacking on these delicious protein energy balls!
Let’s Get Social!
Thank you for visiting MOstly Bakes! If you’re enjoying this protein bites recipe with Montmorency tart cherries, you may also enjoy this recipe for Orange Spice Protein Energy Balls. For more delicious recipes and creative baking ideas, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media via Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Thank you again, for visiting and I look forward to connecting with you there!
Blessings & enjoy!
7-Ingredient No Bake Energy Bites
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes2
hoursTwo Energy Bites equal one serving.
Ingredients
1 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
1/4 cup vegan chocolate flavored protein powder (chocolate whey protein can be substituted)
1/4 cup peanuts (or pecans)
1/4 cup dried cherries
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
Directions
- In a large food processor, combine the oats, protein powder, peanuts, dried cherries and cocoa powder. Pulse 15 – 20 times until the cherries and nuts break up and are evenly distributed throughout the oat mixture.
- Add the peanut butter and almond milk to the mixture. Combine on low speed until a thick dough forms – approximately 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the the container halfway through the mixing process to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Scoop the dough into 24 equal portions measuring approximately 1 Tablespoon each. Roll into balls and chill for two hours.
- Balls are ready to consume after they have chilled for two hours. They will firm up like a classic no-bake cookie and their flavor will mellow as the batter rests.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy any time you need a boost of energy.
