• Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Fitness
  • Nutrition
  • |
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Brand partnerships
    • Nutrition Coaching
April 26, 2019

Easy No Bake Energy Bites (Mix & Match Recipes!)

Dairy Free Gluten Free Vegan Bars + Energy Balls Mix + Match Recipes Snacks No Bake
13 comments
share this post:
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

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.

Mix & Match No Bake Energy Bites Recipes

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

no bake energy balls with dates, coconut, cashews, and cocoa powder

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

basic no bake energy ball formula recipe raisins almonds oats cinnamon ingredients

This combination reminds me of an oatmeal raisin cookie – only much simpler to make… 🙂

Pecans + Cherries + Coconut + Cocoa Powder Energy Bites

basic no bake energy ball recipe formula Pecans + Cherries + Coconut + Cocoa Powder ingredients

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

basic no bake energy balls formula recipe Almonds + Dates + Coconut + Cinnamon ingredients

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:

  • 5 Minute No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
  • Salty Maple Nut Energy Bites
  • Savory Curry Granola Bars
  • Savory Honey Mustard Granola Bars
  • Turmeric Ginger Energy Balls
  • Cherry Almond Snack Bites
- anne
share this post:
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

you might also like:

LARABAR Love

A Homemade Vegan Feast

12 Healthy Game Day Appetizers

Maple Glazed Salmon with Veggies (Sheet Pan)

leave a comment

Cancel reply

13 comments
  • Petra
    April 26, 2019 · 8:37AM:
    I've made energy balls for the first time a while back but I added melted coconut butter to the mix to hold everything together. But basically I don't really need that, right? I need to try some of your combinations, they sound fantastic!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 26, 2019 · 1:15PM:
      You don't need it for sticking purposes... but that does sound delicious! :) Let me know how you like these combos/which ones you try!
      Reply
  • Tori April 26, 2019 · 12:06PM:
    These sound great! Quick to make and plenty of combo choices. I may whip up a batch for an upcoming road trip. Something different then the usual snacks. Thank you!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 26, 2019 · 1:16PM:
      My pleasure! Enjoy and let me know what your favorite combinations end up being!
      Reply
  • Beth April 26, 2019 · 1:20PM:
    What a great way to use up the last bits of dried fruit and nuts! Thanks for the ideas
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 26, 2019 · 1:48PM:
      Sure! Let me know what combinations you like best.
      Reply
  • Liz April 26, 2019 · 2:30PM:
    This is sooo helpful!! I try to make my own all the time and generally just throw things in and sometimes they turn out great, sometimes not so much :) Having a general formula to use will make things much more simple. I appreciate it!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 27, 2019 · 1:29PM:
      Awesome, so glad to be helpful Liz!
      Reply
  • Hannah E Martin April 26, 2019 · 2:55PM:
    Anne, I love this "formula" presentation! I'm always unsure about how things will turn out if I make substitutions, so it's great to see just how flexible this recipe is. What's your recommendation for how long these stay good in the fridge--both from a food safety and a taste/texture perspective? Also, do you have a favorite brand of shredded coconut?
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 27, 2019 · 1:29PM:
      Yay, glad you enjoyed this post! Hmmm I'd probably say they keep in the fridge for about a week or so... but maybe longer just until they taste weird?! No particular favorite brand of coconut!
      Reply
  • Roadrunner April 26, 2019 · 9:21PM:
    Energy balls are the best, thanks. These look terrific.
    Reply
  • Lauren K February 12, 2020 · 10:06AM:
    These looks amazing! I've been looking for something to munch on in the morning before runs, and this looks way better than a handful of Peanut M&Ms that has been happening this week out of desperation :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 12, 2020 · 2:00PM:
      Yes, these would be great pre-run! Let me know which combinations you end up liking. :)
      Reply
- next post
previous post -

about Anne

anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
Learn more

fannetastic reads

Top Posts
01

My Top 9 Most Popular Recipes + Posts

02

Why I Don’t Recommend Whole30

03

What Causes Sugar Cravings (+ How to Stop Them!)

04

How I Make Money As a Blogger

05

Blog Recipes We Make Again and Again

06

What to Eat Before and After a Long Run

07

What to Eat During Long Runs

08

7 Common Nutrition Myths

09

How to Love Veggies

connect with Anne

Email me
anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

follow anne:

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

back to top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recent Posts
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ

© copyright fannetastic food - site by kc - exclusive member of mediavine