Energy bites that are nut, coconut, & seed free! No bake recipe filled with protein and easy to make.
Sometimes called energy balls, power balls, or power bites, these easy to make snacks are super delicious and filled with protein! This is a base recipe that is free from gluten, nuts, peanuts, coconut, and seeds, making it one of the most allergy friendly recipes out there! I suggest some variations but feel free to get creative and invent your own.
How to Make Energy Bites
Begin with soaking your dates to make them super soft and easy to work with. In a large heat proof bowl, add your dates and cover with boiling water. Let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are softened.
While the dates are soaking, you can prep the next ingredients. Add the oats, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and cinnamon to the food processor. Don’t mix it yet! Wait for the dates.
After the dates have soaked, remove the seed from inside each of them before placing in the food processor. Add one tablespoon of the date water to the food processor as well to help everything combine.
Using quick pulses, combine the ingredients until you have a thick dough. It took me only about 5 pulses.
Transfer your dough to a bowl and place in the fridge for 15 minutes, or until the dough becomes chilled. This helps to shape the bites.
Shape your energy bites using a ⅛ measuring cup (about 2 tablespoons) and roll into balls between your hands. Set aside and make the rest. This recipe makes 18 in total using that size.
Pop these energy bites back into the fridge where they can stay in an airtight container all week ready for you to snack upon! These can also be frozen for up to 2 months if sealed up tight. Just make sure you let them unfreeze before eating; let them hang out in the fridge overnight.
Looking for more Snack Ideas?
Granola Bars (gluten, nut, seed free, vegan, top 8 free)
Easy Falafel (gluten free, vegan, top 8 free)
Crispy Roasted Chickpeas (gluten free, vegan, top 8 free)
Variations on Energy Bites
With this base recipe, you can make endless variations on these energy bites! Obviously, make sure that you make some that are free from your allergens. Here are some ideas to get you started!
- Chocolate chip – Add ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- Seeds – Add ¼ cup your favorite seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, etc)
- Coconut – Roll the bites in shredded coconut after shaping
- Pumpkin – Add ¼ cup pureed pumpkin. Increase the oats to 2 cups total. Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Citrus – Add a tablespoon of orange zest!
- Fruity – Add ¼ cup dried fruits like cherries, cranberries, or blueberries
- Cranberry Orange – Add ½ tbsp orange zest and ¼ cup dried cranberries
- Protein – Swap out the cocoa powder for your favorite protein powder mix
Tips for Perfect Bites Every Time
Use a food processor to make these.
Make sure you soak the dates in hot water before making so that they blend well with all the ingredients.
Allergy Variations for Energy Bites
Make sure you use gluten free oats to make these gluten free. My favorite brand to use is from Bob’s Red Mill, but Thrive Market and Trader Joe’s also makes delicious gluten free oats!
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how this turned out for you! Pop over to the Facebook Page to share your success or tag me over on Instagram with the hashtag #livingbeyondallergies I love to see your creations!
Ingredients
- 2 cups dates, soaked PLUS 1 tablespoon date water
- 1 ½ cups gluten free oatmeal
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- sprinkle cinnamon to taste
Instructions
- Place the dates in a heat proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 10-15 minutes. Remove seeds from dates and place in food processor along with 1 tablespoon of date water.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Pulse until a thick dough is formed. Transfer to a bowl and let rest for 10 minutes inside the fridge. After chilling, shape into energy bites using a double tablespoon amount.
- Store in the fridge for a week in an airtight container. Will freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
This recipe is amazing! When I saw it i knew i had to make it. Because i have been low on energy lately. So i went ahead and made these energy bites. i didn’t have dates but i had cranberries and pecans. I also added some extra honey to make them more of a rollable consistency. They turned out great t and tasty. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
Thank you so much for your feedback! Those sounds like delicious additions to the energy bites. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂