These super easy bliss balls are a game-changer for busy families! They make a fantastic quick high energy snack for kids, whether while traveling or on the way to sports.
Also known as energy bites, energy balls, protein balls, healthy peanut butter bites, and peanut butter oatmeal balls, these no-bake bliss balls bring a whole new level of 'delicious' to snack time!
If you find yourself in a pinch in the mornings when school resumes, energy bites can make a nice addition to breakfast, too! They pair very well with coffee milk! Kids love them!
For more healthy snack ideas, try my Lemon Blueberry or Zucchini Banana Chocolate chip muffins, Easy Caprese bruschetta, and Fruit and Yogurt Parfait recipes!
Now that sports are resuming, my kids are hungry! So, I make sure I always have these on hand.
Why This Recipe is So Great
- Only 5 ingredients.
- Made in 5 minutes.
- This is a no-bake recipe.
- Quick and easy for when on-the-go or for after school snacks.
- They are not as gooey as most!
- Make them on the smaller side because kids always want more than one!
- Just enough chocolate chips are added so that each energy bite contains at least one chocolate chip. It doesn't sound like much but, trust me, it's enough!
- This recipe is easily doubled and tripled. I often do this. Yes, we go through that many of them!
- This recipe is easily modifiable, so feel free to play around with ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Oats Rolled oats work best for this recipe. Whole oats are a whole grain. They provide a source of soluble fiber, which is good for the heart and will help your kids feel full longer. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that at least half of your grains come from whole grains.
- Peanut Butter Use natural peanut butter (the kind that is made with just peanuts and salt) for this recipe because the consistency really works best for mixing.
- Honey Honey adds a lovely sweetness to these energy bites. It also adds moisture, which is needed to soften the oats. I use raw local honey because of its many potential health benefits. But that's just me. Use what you have!
- Flax Meal Flax meal is ground up flaxseeds. Flax seeds are high in fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals. So good for you!
- Chocolate Chips Because kids love them!
How to make these energy bites
Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make these bliss balls. For the full list of ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Mix all ingredients together
- Roll into one inch balls
- Refrigerate or freeze.
Dietitian Tip
Please use caution if you have a child under the age of one in the house due to the risk of infant botulism associated with honey. I've seen too many cases of infant botulism in the hospital not to help raise awareness.
Expert Tips
- There is no need to buy gluten-free oats unless you are guided to do so by a credentialed health care professional.
- If you store peanut butter in the fridge, let it come to room temperature before making this recipe - it will make mixing a whole lot easier!
- Use flax meal as opposed to flax seeds to improve its digestibility and for optimal texture. Flax meal blends right in with the rest of the ingredients.
- Having your hands slightly wet will help make rolling these into balls easier.
Recipe FAQs
Any other nut or seed butter will work in place of peanut butter. I have made these using crunchy and smooth almond butter as well as a mixture of nut butters. They are always a hit!
You can easily substitute wheat germ, coconut flakes, or chia seeds in place of flax meal. Or, you can just add an additional tablespoon of rolled oats.
Just a note on chia seeds - my kids do not like chia seeds in energy bites because the seeds end up getting stuck in their teeth. If that won't bother your kids, then sprinkle some in!
Yes! These freeze very well. They can be enjoyed from frozen or placed in the refrigerator to soften.
Be sure to comment below to share your feedback, and don't forget to snap a pic of these easy and delicious bliss balls and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram. Enjoy!
Other Snack Recipes Your Kids Will Love
Easy No-Bake Bliss Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter preferably at room temperature
- 3 tablespoon honey raw local honey, if possible
- 1 teaspoon honey in addition to the 3 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon flax meal
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Mix well. Stir the mixture until the peanut butter and honey are evenly distributed and all ingredients are blended together.
- Using your hands, roll the mixture into balls about one inch in diameter.
- Place in the refrigerator to set.
Laura
What a great “go to” snack for hungry kiddos and growing teenage athletes!
Kristi
I couldn't agree more!