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These espresso energy bites make the perfect mood-boosting snack! You’re going to love the rich flavor in these bites packed with oats, nuts, coffee, and dark chocolate.
This quick and easy energy bite recipe will help get you through the day! There is no cooking involved, just simple mixing in a food processor, rolling into balls, and chilling for later. It’s a meal prep snack that is great for breakfast, as a midday boost, or healthy dessert.
It’s rare to find something that is easy, delicious, AND healthy, but these fit the bill! We get tons of protein, healthy fats, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and the natural vitamins and minerals that can be found in wholesome ingredients like nuts and oats. Using a binder like honey or maple syrup makes this recipe free of refined sugar while a protein powder gives us a hearty lift!
This no bake energy bites recipe is very versatile, so feel free to play with the ratios to get the perfect taste and texture for you! It’s easy to make these gluten-free, vegan, and a favorite amongst the kids and adults alike!
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what you will need for this easy snack. Scroll to the printable recipe card for exact measurements and nutrition facts.
- Almond butter and Honey – You can use any nut or seed butter in place of almond butter. The honey can be replaced with maple syrup to make this vegan (or sugar-free maple syrup to reduce the sugar). Runnier butters will require more oats and/or nuts while thicker butters may require a bit more honey or maple syrup.
- Old Fashioned Oats (also known as rolled oats) and Nuts – These provide great texture as well as loads of health benefits. Oats may be able to reduce heart disease, benefit weight management, regulate digestive health, and prevent large spikes in blood sugar. Nuts provide fiber, unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and more that may help keep your heart healthy. Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free if that is important to you.
- Protein Powder – I used this to increase the protein content, but it is entirely optional. You could replace it with collagen powder, a combination of ground flax seeds and chia seeds, or omit it altogether. If the mixture seems a bit too runny or sticky without the powder, simply mix in a couple extra tablespoons of oats or nuts.
- Vanilla extract, Instant Espresso, and Mini Dark Chocolate Chips – These are our flavor makers! Feel free to use almond extract instead if you love a super nutty flavor. Swap your Instant espresso for unbrewed coffee grounds if it’s what you have or even cocoa powder if you don’t like coffee flavor. Use white chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, or even mini M&M candies instead of the dark chocolate if you like!
How to make healthy espresso energy bites
All you need for these little energy bites is a food processor! Here’s a step-by-step guide (spoiler alert: it’s ridiculously easy).
Combine ingredients in food processor
Add the almond butter, oats, sweetener, nuts, protein powder, vanilla and coffee grounds to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined.
Mix in chocolate and roll into balls
Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few more times until they are mixed throughout the dough. Roll the mixture into balls (this makes about 17-20) and store in the refrigerator about 30 minutes for the best texture. Feel free to use a cookie scoop, tablespoon, or your hands to estimate the size.
Storage Tips
These no-bake espresso energy bites should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to two weeks. They do need to stay cold for the mixture to remain firm. You can also store in the freezer up to 3 months for long-term healthy snacking, so feel free to make a double or triple batch!
If you’re packing these for a snack on the go, I recommend freezing these and placing in your lunchbox while they’re still frozen. This helps them keep shape, and they will be thawed and nicely chilled when ready to eat.
Energy Bite FAQ’s
This is up to personal preference! Peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, even options made from pistachios, walnuts, or a combination can work. They all have their own nutritional benefits and textures, so pick and choose based on what you like.
You could substitute coconut flakes, ground flaxseed, or chia seeds could be used as a hearty textural component. If you love a major crunch, steel cut oats could work (but since they aren’t cooked, these are a little too crunchy for some).
Mini chocolate chips, chopped dried fruit, whole nuts, a pinch of sea salt, or coconut flakes could all provide great flavor and texture.
Absolutely! If you use a plant-based protein powder, maple syrup instead of honey, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
More easy snack recipes
- Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothies
- Easy Mocha Chia Pudding
- How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
- Gluten Free Granola Bars
- Apple Cinnamon Pecan Butter
Espresso Energy Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy almond butter
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup nuts, your choice, pecans, almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons unbrewed coffee grounds or instant espresso
- 1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the almond butter, oats, sweetener, nuts, vanilla and coffee grounds in a food processor and pulse until combined.
- Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few more times.
- Roll the mixture into balls and store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
