With just 3 simple and nutritious ingredients, these No-Bake Energy Bites are super simple to make and eat! They store well in the fridge for weeks and are a perfect snack to share with the kids (and eat with one hand yourself, busy mama!).
No-Bake Energy Bites
There are many times during the week when I need a quick snack for my kids and myself, so I love to have a batch of these healthy energy balls in the fridge ready and waiting. The beauty of this recipe is that the finished snack stores so well and that each one is sweet enough to taste like a treat—while also providing a nice dose of balanced energy.
TIP: These taste like a fresher version of a Larabar, with the flavors of the fruit shining through.
Ingredients You Need
To make these energy bites, you’ll need:
- Pitted dates
- Almonds or cashews (raw or roasted)
- Dried fruit such as cranberries, apricots, apples, or cherries
What kind of dates are best?
You’ll want to buy pitted whole dates labeled either Medjool or Deglet Noor. They are readily available in the dried fruit aisle in regular grocery stores.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in making these energy balls.
- Place your ingredients into a bowl.
- Cover with hot water and soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain and add to a food processor. Grind!
- Roll into balls and coat with coconut, if desired.
TIP: You can eat these at room temperature or chilled, according to your preference.
Energy Balls with Dates
The dates provide the base for this no-bake dough, but you can change up the ingredients and flavor combos based on what you have and pay around with other add-ins. I rolled mine in coconut because I love it, but you can totally skip that. I also bet that adding a bit of mini chocolate chips to the batter would be a delicious touch, should you want to serve these as more of a dessert food.
Energy Bites for Kids
It can be tricky to serve little kids nuts safely, but these energy balls are a great option. The nuts soften nicely and blend into a soft and easy to chew texture. You can make the size of the balls as small or large as you like.
Best Tips for Success
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- When you start the mixture in the food processor, it will seem like it’s not going to work. Let the machine keep running as it can take about a minute and the mixture will start to naturally hold together like cookie dough.
- Make smaller balls if desired.
- If the mixture is sticky when you try to roll it into balls, wash hands after every few or chill the dough for a few minutes. (I’ve never had an issue, but some fruit is stickier than others!)
- You may also like my Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls, my No-Bake Granola Bars, and my Graham Cracker Bites.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share!
No-Bake Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds (raw or roasted or use cashews)
- 1 cup pitted dates (Medjool or Deglet Noir)
- 1 cup dried cranberries, apples, cherries, apricots, raisins, OR prunes
- shredded unsweetened coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Place ingredients into a medium bowl.
- Cover with hot water. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and up to 30.
- Drain.
- Add to a food processor and grind the ingredients into a batter, starting on low and working up to high. You will likely need to let the machine run for about a minute until the batter starts to hold together like cookie dough. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed to help the mixture move thoroughly.
- Use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon to portion out balls. Roll in shredded unsweetened coconut if desired.
- Serve, or store in the fridge for a future snack.
Equipment
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- When you start the mixture in the food processor, it will seem like it's not going to work. Let the machine keep running as it can take about a minute and the mixture will start to naturally hold together like cookie dough.
- Make smaller balls if desired.
- If the mixture is sticky when you try to roll it into balls, wash hands after every few or chill the dough for a few minutes. (I've never had an issue, but some fruit is stickier than others!)
Nutrition
Thanks Amy! Have you tried this with sunflower seeds or another alternative to tree nuts? My daughter is allergic.
Hi- I am not sure that it would blend the same with seeds, but you could try it if you have a really strong food processor. Or you could look at these other energy bite options that are easier to adjust with sunflower seed butter: https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/easy-granola-bites OR https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/oatmeal-raisin-peanut-butter-energy-balls/
Can you use a blender instead of a food processor?
You can, though it will be easiest if your blender has a stick with it to help the mixture move around a bit.
How many can/should a toddler have? Considering fibre, protein etc. Thanks!
I don’t think there’s a hard and fast answer to that, but I would typically offer 1 or 2 as a snack, either on its own or paired with milk or a cheese stick.
I made these tonight and like them a lot! I’m assuming they can be frozen as well? Do you know if they thaw nicely?
Would another fried fruit (such as mango) work ok in these? I have a whole package that my kid is uninterested in, but he might like it in these.
I haven’t tried it, but I do think that dried mangos would work well in this and be really yummy!
Where do you like to get your dates? Whenever I buy them, even if I soak them, they are still too dry to make bars or energy bites!
The ones in the produce section at trader joes are usually good!