Are you looking for simple, healthy protein snacks? Almond Vanilla Protein Energy Bites are my new go-to for quick bites before coffee or afternoon pick-me-ups.
These wholesome snacks have a dense, chewy, cookie dough-like texture with a touch of natural sweetness, but they are protein-rich for a quick energy boost or a healthy treat.
Protein and healthy fats help satiate when a snack attack hits so you’re not left crashing from empty carbs. I developed this protein energy ball recipe to have something quick to eat in the morning before drinking my coffee. The idea was to ward off the cortisol spike from caffeine—even from the half-caf coffee that I drink.
Having one or two of these protein-rich morsels does the trick to keep blood sugar balanced when I enjoy my morning cup. Mocha Breakfast Cookies are tasty, quick bites too!
Our daughter also loves these protein snacks for middle-of-the-night treats when nursing her little one. Nursing moms need lots of calorie support, so these energy bites are perfect for the nutritious snacks they need. TIP: They make an excellent gift for new moms.
Looking for more healthy snacks? Check out our Healthy Snack Roundup of more than 40 Snack Recipes!
Why You’ll Love These Energy Bites:
- Quick and Easy: No baking! But you will need a food processor or blender to mix them up in less than 15 minutes.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite nuts, seeds, protein powder, or nut butter to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
- Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to energize and satisfy.
- Perfect for Any Time: Great as a pre or post-workout snack, mid-day pick me up, midnight nursing, or even a healthy dessert.
Ingredients You Can Feel Good About
- Rolled oats: Adds fiber and helps stabilize the dough.
- Unsweetened coconut flakes: Provides fiber and healthy fats.
- Sunflower seeds: Rich in vitamin E, selenium, and healthy fats.
- Pumpkin seeds: High in magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants.
- Pitted dates: A natural sweetener with fiber, potassium, and essential nutrients.
- Vanilla whey protein powder: Boosts the protein content for a satiate snack.
- Cinnamon: Tasty flavor and contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances flavor.
- Sea salt: Balances flavors and provides trace minerals.
- Almond butter: Rich in healthy fats, protein, and vitamin E.
- Walnuts: Packed with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
- Mini chocolate chips: Optional, but they add a touch of indulgence and texture.
- Water (as needed): Helps bring the mixture together to customize consistency.
RECIPE STEP-BY-STEP
- Blend the Base: In a food processor, combine the rolled oats, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dates, protein powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
- Add Almond Butter and Walnuts: Pulse to combine—it should start to look like thick cookie dough.
- Sample the texture and add water to moisten, if needed, for desired texture. (More water will make it more like soft cookie dough.)
- Mix in Chocolate Chips: Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the mini chocolate chips by hand.
- Shape the Bites: Scoop out portions of the mixture (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them into bite-sized balls. Place them on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill and Store: Refrigerate the energy bites for at least 30 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Tips for Success:
- Adding the walnuts with the nut butter is best so they don’t get over-processed, which can cause the oils to separate.
- If using roasted and salted seeds or nuts, omit the additional salt.
- If the mixture is too sticky to handle, chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling, or roll in additional dry oats to coat.
- For a unique flavor, lightly toast the oats, coconut flakes, and nuts before processing.
- If you prefer a doughier texture, add more water in STEP 2.
Can I add chia or flax seeds?
Yes, however, keep in mind that chia and flax seeds absorb up to 10 times their weight in water. This makes it essential to drink plenty of fluids when consuming these healthy seeds.
More Mix-In Ideas for Protein Energy Bites
- Buckwheat flakes (gluten-free)
- Kaniwa Flakes
- Toasted quinoa or quinoa flakes
- Chia seeds (see note above)
- Flax seeds (see note above)
- Sesame seeds
- Pistachios
- Pecans
- Hazelnuts
- Chocolate or strawberry protein powder
- Instant coffee
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Chai spices
Almond Vanilla Protein Energy Bites
Wholesome bite-size snack with oats, dates, seeds, nuts, whey protein, and mini chocolate chips.
Servings: 30
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds , unroasted
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds , unroasted
- 3/4 cup pitted dates , or 1/3 cup date sugar
- 1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup almond butter or peanut, or sun butter
- 1/2 cup walnuts , coarsely chopped
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup water — as needed ,or more, as needed
Instructions
- Blend the Base: In a food processor, combine the rolled oats, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dates, protein powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and starts to form a thick dough.
- Add Almond Butter: Add the walnuts and nut butter, and pulse to combine. Sample the texture and add water to moisten, if needed, so it holds together when rolled. (More water will make it more like soft, uncooked cookie dough.)
- Mix in Chocolate Chips: Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the mini chocolate chips by hand.
- Shape the Bites: Scoop out portions of the mixture (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them into bite-sized balls. Place them on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill and Store: Refrigerate the energy bites for at least 30 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Notes
NOTE: Don’t worry if the mixture seems oily when rolling. Sometimes the seeds or nut butter oils can separate when processed—this doesn’t change flavor or texture once set. Rolling the balls of dough in oats will help absorb any oils and keep them tidy.
Tips & Variations:
- It’s best to add the walnuts with the nut butter so they don’t get over-processed, which can cause the oils to separate.
- If the mixture is too sticky to handle, chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling, or roll in additional dry oats to coat.
- For a unique flavor, lightly toast the oats, coconut flakes, and nuts before processing.
- If you prefer a doughier texture, add more water in STEP 2.
- Optional Mix-ins:
-
- Buckwheat flakes (gluten-free)
-
- Kaniwa Flakes
-
- Toasted quinoa or quinoa flakes
-
- Chia seeds (see note above)
-
- Flax seeds (see note above)
-
- Sesame seeds
-
- Pistachios
-
- Pecans
-
- Hazelnuts
-
- Chocolate or strawberry protein powder
-
- Instant coffee
-
- Pumpkin pie spice
-
- Chai spices
Equipment
Nutrition
Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
Learn how to make this and all recipes even easier!Check out our Monthly Meal Prep System!
Rebecca Townsend says
A dear friend of mine shared a few of these with me . . . they are SO GOOD! I had screenshotted the recipe, but then forgot all about it. I can’t wait to try them for myself. I’ll have to hide them from all the teenagers in my house, though . . . they’re so tasty, that they’ll be gone in about five minutes if I don’t!