By: The Real Food DietitiansPosted: 3/3/23
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
One of our all-time favorite healthy snack hacks is to have a batch of one of our energy ball recipes ready to go in the refrigerator or freezer. When you have a healthy snack like one of these energy balls recipes at the ready, you’re less likely to reach for unhealthful and highly processed foods. Plus, every energy balls recipe we share is loaded with energy-supplying healthful carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. You can also up the protein in any of these recipes with the addition of protein powder. Whether you call them energy balls, energy bites, protein balls, or protein bites, we’ve got one (or twelve!) of them for you.
Energy Balls Recipe Highlights
You may be wondering, why do we call these little delicious snack balls an “energy bite”? Do they really provide energy? They do! Here’s how:
- every one of these energy ball recipes contains energy-supplying nutrients, whether it’s digestion-benefitting fiber in oats, healthful fats in nut butter or nuts, or quick-hitting glucose in dried fruit or honey (or a combination of these)
Energy Balls Recipes for easy Make-Ahead Snacks
We love to include a recipe for energy balls in our weekly meal preps and also as a quick mid-week throw-together recipe. We find that when we have them on hand, we’re more likely to reach for a nutritious snack. When you have a batch of energy bites ready, you’re not scrambling for a healthful snack idea when that energy lull hits you. Try one of these 12 healthful recipes this week and see how nice it is to have make-ahead snacks ready.
Monster Cookie Peanut Butter Protein Balls
This healthy and fun recipe for energy balls is loved by kids and adults. It provides 5 grams of protein per ball for lasting energy in a delicious and nutritious form from the addition of whey protein. Great for lunch boxes, after school snacks, and an afternoon energy boost.
Gluten Free | Egg Free | Vegetarian
Get the Recipe
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls with Chocolate Chips
The popular duo of peanut butter and chocolate come together with whole grain oats, flax, and chia seeds to make these no-bake, gluten-free Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls recipe. Perfect for meal prepping, lunch packing, easy snacking, and pre-workout fuel.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Vegan Option
Get the Recipe
Cherry Chocolate Energy Bites
This Cherry Chocolate Energy Ball recipe are super-simple and are a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive store-bought fruit and nut bars. One of our favorite make-ahead snacks for ourselves and gifting to friends.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Vegan
Get the Recipe
Birthday Cake Energy Bites
These no-bake energy bites are the perfect little snack or treat when you’re in the mood for cake, but not in the mood for the sugar crash that often follows. Made with less sugar, this snack recipe is fun for parties, lunch boxes, and after-school snacks.
Gluten Free | Egg Free | Dairy Free | Vegan
Get the Recipe
Almond Joy Protein Bites
These paleo-friendly Almond Joy Protein Bites are like the candy bar you love – only better, and better for you. This energy ball recipe is made with coconut, nut butter, and collagen peptides for added protein. You could add whey or plant-based protein powder instead.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Get the Recipe
Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Energy Balls Recipe
If you’re the sweet-and-salty type then you’re going to love these no-bake Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Energy Bites made with just a handful of pantry staples. They’re the perfect little ‘something sweet’ after-meal treat or after-school snack.
Gluten Free | Egg Free | Dairy Free | Vegan
Get the Recipe
3-Ingredient Nutty Cashew Energy Bites
Healthy snacking couldn’t be easier than this energy balls recipe this is grain free, vegan, and made from just three wholesome ingredients.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Vegan
Get the Recipe
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Energy Balls
In less than 15 minutes from start to finish, you can have a freezer full of this healthy recipe for energy bites. This whole-food snack is made from just 3 ingredients.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Vegan
Get the Recipe
4-Ingredient PB & J Bites
A favorite flavor combination packs a nutritious punch in one of our favorite energy balls recipes this is short on ingredients but mighty on great taste. All you need are oats, nut butter, chia seeds, and jam for these fiber-rich energy bites.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Vegan
Get the Recipe
4-Ingredient Almond Butter Energy Balls
These no-bake Paleo-friendly energy bites are great to enjoy for a snack, dessert, or pre-workout fuel. Plus, you might already have the four ingredients on hand: almond butter (or any nut butter), almonds, dates, and chocolate chips. Now that’s what we call keeping it simple!
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Vegan
Get the Recipe
Trail Mix Energy Bites
If you love trail mix for the energy and great taste it provides when you’re out on a hike, then you’re going to love this recipe for energy bites that features common trail mix ingredients, including dried fruit, chopped nuts, and seeds.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Egg Free | Vegan
Get the Recipe
Almond Butter Banana Protein Balls
These delicious protein balls are made from healthful ingredients including almond flour, flax meal, chia seeds, mashed banana, protein powder, and almond butter. They’re a well-rounded snack that contains proteins, fats, and carbs and with 5 grams of fiber and only 5 grams of sugar per ball.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Vegan
Get the Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Do energy balls really provide energy?
Yes, any food that has calories will provide you with some energy. These energy bites are all made with natural real-food ingredients. Some of them contain oats, which are a healthful carb-containing grain. Many of them contain some type of nut butter, which also provides energy from healthful fats. And many of these recipes include flavorful and energy-providing mix-ins, such as dried fruits, coconut, honey, chocolate chips, or dates.
How should I store energy balls?
Since these energy ball recipes are made from whole-food ingredients, it’s a good idea to store them in either the refrigerator or freezer. We prefer the freezer, as you get a more sturdy bite that’s enjoyable to eat right out of the freezer, but you can use the refrigerator, too, if you like a softer energy ball. Store energy balls in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How long do energy balls last?
When stored in the refrigerator, energy bites will last up to 2 weeks. When stored in the freezer, energy bites will last up to 3 months.
What’s the difference between energy balls and energy bites?
The only difference is in the name! You can call them whatever you prefer.
Can I add protein to an energy balls recipe?
Yes you can! Some of these recipes already call for the addition of whey protein powder or collagen to increase the protein. And you could always add 1/4 to 1/2 cup protein powder to any of the other recipes. See these posts for our Dietitian Recommended Protein Powders.
– The Best Whey Protein Powders, According to Dietitians
– The Best Plant-Based Protein Powders, According to Dietitians
How to Store energy balls
Since these recipes are made from whole-food ingredients, it’s a good idea to store them in the refrigerator or freezer. We prefer the freezer, as you get a more sturdy bite that’s enjoyable to eat right out of the freezer. But you can use the refrigerator, too, if you like a softer energy ball. Store energy balls in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How Many Calories are in energy Balls Recipes?
These energy balls recipes contain anywhere from 150 to 250 calories per ball, depending on the size and whether or not you’re adding protein powder. That’s a good amount of calories for a midday snack or energy-providing pick-me-up. These are especially good snack choices, since those calories are coming from nutritious real-food ingredients, including oats, nut butter, and dried fruits, among many other whole foods.
More Round-Ups to Check Out
Pin It Now to Make Them Later!
For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
