I’m a huge fan of flexible recipes that let you swap around ingredients based on what you have on hand. So I’m excited to share a new mix & match recipe with you today: No Bake Energy Bites!
Mix & match recipes are my favorite way to cook (or in this case, not cook)!
This energy ball recipe formula lets you run free with the perfect combination for the ultimate tasty, nutritious, and convenient no-bake snack.
No-Bake Energy Bites
Combine any assortment of nuts, dried fruit, mix-ins, and seasonings for energy bites that are easy to throw together and even easier to eat on-the-go.
I love keeping a batch of energy balls in my fridge each week. Not only do they help fuel me through busy days, but now my daughter loves them too! (I just make sure the nuts are really ground up and give her little pieces of it)!
They’re perfect to keep the mid-day hunger away and keep you energized all day long. Plus, they’re super tasty!
Mix + Match No Bake Energy Bites Recipe Formula
My go-to formula for easy – and totally customizable – no bake energy bites require just 4 ingredients and a super simple method.
I’m also sharing some of my favorite combinations in this post for flavor inspiration. Enjoy!
Ingredient 1: Nuts
Start with 1 cup of nuts – just about any type will do!
I usually rotate between almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, and cashews. But feel free to throw pistachios, macadamia nuts, etc. into the mix, too.
You’re not limited to one type of nut, either! You’ll need 1 cup of nuts total, but that could be 1/2 a cup each of two different nuts or any other combination that adds up to a cup.
Ingredient 2: Dried Fruit
Next, you’ll need 1 cup of dried fruit.
Just like with the nuts, almost any type or combination will work. I love to use dates, raisins, dried cherries, and dried figs, but feel free to play around with dried apricots, cranberries, prunes, mangoes, and more.
Just be sure to use soft dried fruit (as opposed to freeze-dried fruit or crunchy dried fruit like banana chips). The moisture from the fruit is what holds everything together!
Ingredient 3: Mix-Ins
You’ll need 1/4 cup of a dry mix-ins – I’d suggest rolled oats, unsweetened coconut, or ground flaxseed – or a combination of those.
Dry mix-ins help keep the mixture from getting too sticky, making it much easier to shape.
Mix-ins also add more flavor and a nutritional boost to your energy bites!
Ingredient 4: Flavor Booster
Lastly, add spices and other flavorings to make everything pop!
I always add a small pinch of salt to my energy bite mixture to balance the flavors (unless I’m using salted nuts, that is), but after that, pretty much any seasoning is fair game.
Cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla extract are good places to start. But feel free to mix in other spices like ground ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom.
These mix-ins can really be added to taste, but I usually start with 1 teaspoon of spices and extracts and/or 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder.
How to Make No Bake Energy Bites
Place all your desired ingredients into the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is finely ground and clumps together when pressed (usually about 1 minute). It should stick together, but not be too sticky.
Divide the mixture into 12 even pieces and roll into balls with your hands. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge in an airtight container for easy snacking!
No Bake Energy Bites Recipe Combination Ideas
Here are some of my favorite no bake energy ball recipe combinations to get you started!
Cashews + Dates + Coconut + Cocoa Powder Energy Bites
This combination is simple and sweet, but not too sweet!
A tablespoon of cocoa powder adds chocolate flavor without making it too decadent, and the pinch of salt really brings out all the flavors in this combination.
Walnuts + Raisins + Oats + Cinnamon Energy Bites
This combination reminds me of an oatmeal raisin cookie – only much simpler to make… 🙂
Pecans + Cherries + Coconut + Cocoa Powder Energy Bites
The inspiration behind this combination is German chocolate cake!
Dried cherries bring a nice tart bite to compliment the richer chocolate and nut flavors.
Almonds + Dates + Coconut + Cinnamon Energy Bites
This is one of my favorite classic combinations – you can’t go wrong with dates and almonds blitzed together.
These energy balls also make great fuel for long runs – you can try oats in place of the coconut for an extra carb boost.
Walnuts + Almonds + Figs + Flax + Vanilla Energy Bites
The seeds in dried figs add such a fun pop of texture to these energy balls, and I love pairing figs with all the nuttiest flavors – flax, walnuts, and almonds.
If you love peanut butter, check out my no bake peanut butter bliss balls, too!
What energy bite combination are you going to try first?!
Love these mix + match style posts? Here are a bunch more:
- Mix & Match Grain Salad Bowls
- Mix & Match Healthy Sandwiches
- Avocado Toast 12 Ways
- Mix & Match Healthy Smoothies
- Lettuce Wraps 3 Ways
- Mix & Match Healthy Stir Fries
- Mix + Match Sheet Pan Dinners
- Overnight Oatmeal 6 Ways
- Mix & Match Stuffed Peppers
And check out more of my favorite no-bake snacks:
