Apple Cinnamon No Bake Energy Bites
Posted: 11/28/2016
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Apple cinnamon no bake energy bites are fun, filling, and could not be any easier to make. They’re great for school lunch boxes, too!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Energy bites are a tasty snack food that also is low calorie and packed with healthy ingredients.
How long it takes: 15 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: food processor
Servings: makes 30
Table of Contents
open
Apple cinnamon no bake energy bites are the perfect solution for those times when you’re craving something sweet, perhaps an afternoon snack or a little nibble of something sweet with your morning coffee.
A serving of two energy bites is only 95 calories and I guarantee that your sweet tooth will be satisfied. While I’m always for an oatmeal cookie or a slice of whole wheat banana bread, these little gems really do compete.
Each energy bite is packed with complex carbohydrates and fiber which help keep you feeling full and don’t give you a big sugar rush that leaves you on empty a short time later.
They are great in lunchboxes. Kids love them and you’ll be happy knowing that they’re enjoying a homemade treat with healthy ingredients.
About This Recipe
These apple cinnamon energy bites are naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup, along with chewy dried apple rings. Oats and flax seed, combined with protein powder, give you a nutritional boost. With the sweet flavor of cinnamon and nutmeg, these bites really do taste like a cookie.
They’re seriously so simple to make. You throw all the ingredients into your food processor and blend. Roll into balls and then you’re done. Could it be any easier?
I’m pretty sure the kids might even enjoy rolling those little balls for you (think play dough!). I’ve found that my kids are always thrilled to help me out in the kitchen and this recipe is a great way to introduce them to simple measuring skills.
I’ll get you started on the recipe here. Look for the recipe card near the end of the post for complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition information.
What You’ll Need
- Dates: Look for pitted dates in the produce section of the grocery store. If you happen to buy dates that aren’t pitted, the pits are easy to remove. Medjool dates are sweeter.
- Rolled Oats: Either rolled oats (old-fashioned) or quick oats are fine. Do not use steel cut oats or instant oats.
- Dried Apple Slices: Dried apple rings are perfect for these no bake energy bites because unlike fresh apples, they aren’t juicy, and they aren’t as perishable.
- Ground Flaxseed: Look for flaxseed meal or ground flaxseed. Whole flaxseeds are hard to digest and you don’t gain as much nutritional benefit from them.
- Protein Powder: Either vanilla or unflavored is fine. Choose your favorite brand.
- Maple Syrup: I love how well maple goes with apples but honey is a good choice too. Most of the sweetness comes from the dates but a couple tablespoons of maple syrup helps everything stick together.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These two spices are a perfect match for apples. Think apple pie! You could easily substitute my apple pie spice blend which has a few extra spices added.
How To Make Energy Bites
It’s pretty easy! Simply add all of the ingredients to the bowl of your food processor, fitted with the S-blade. If the kids are helping, they can measure out the ingredients.
Pulse until everything is completely blended. It should be clumping together. Remove the lid. Scoop out the mixture and form balls. I use a two teaspoon scoop (you’ll end up with 30 balls) but the balls can be made any size.
Keep these energy bites in the refrigerator.
FAQs
Are energy bites healthy?
Yes, they really are. Although the dates and dried apples have quite a bit of natural sugar, they are complex carbohydrates with lots of fiber. The oats and ground flaxseed are really good for you, too.
However, energy bites are considered a snack food and shouldn’t take the place of a healthy meal.
Do protein balls give you energy?
Although I named this recipe “energy bites”, the term is pretty synonymous with protein balls. They are the same thing. The answer to this question is Yes! They have a lot of carbs which give you energy and a bit of protein, too.
Do energy bites have to be refrigerated?
They will stay firmer in the refrigerator and keep longer. Don’t worry about putting energy bites in lunch boxes that aren’t refrigerated. They will be perfectly safe at room temperature.
Make It Your Own
- The maple syrup can be replaced with honey or a different sweetener, such as agave or corn syrup.
- Omit the protein powder and increase the oats by 1/4 cup.
- Roll the balls in hemp seeds or flax seeds.
- Check out more energy ball recipes: Cranberry Oatmeal Energy Balls, Chocolate Coconut Nut-Free Energy Balls, or Chocolate Protein Balls (with mocha option!).
Storage Tips
These energy balls will keep in your fridge for a couple of weeks of healthy snacking, if they last that long. You can freeze them too!
Healthy Snack Recipes
- Olive Oil Roasted Almonds
- Baked Tortilla Chips
- Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
- Homemade Cheez-Its (cheddar cheese crackers)
- Homemade Granola
- Black Bean Brownies
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
Apple cinnamon no bake energy bites are fun, filling, and could not be any easier to make. They’re great for school lunch boxes, too!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pitted dates
- ½ cup rolled oats (old fashioned or quick)
- 1 cup dried apple slices
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed (or flaxseed meal)
- ¼ cup protein powder (vanilla or unflavored)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until completely blended.
- Roll into 30 balls (I use a two teaspoon scoop). Store in an airtight container.
- Best stored in fridge and eaten cold.
Notes
- Refrigerate energy bites in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They will keep in the freezer for at least a month.
- If desired, omit protein powder and add 1/4 cup additional oats.
- Honey, agave, or corn syrup can be substituted for the maple syrup.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 2balls, Calories: 95kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 3mg, Sodium: 9mg, Potassium: 166mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Valerie Windham says
I don’t use protein powders, what would be a good substitute?
Rachel Gurk says
We can’t have it in our house, but I’ve heard good things about peanut butter powders! That would work well and would be tasty in these, and it would also add protein. Otherwise, you could probably just leave it out. Slowly add the maple syrup because you might not need it all without the protein powder. I hope that helps!
KT says
I received a link to this recipe in an email titled “Protein Packed Snacks for Busy Days!” However, 2 g protein per serving is hardly “protein packed.”
Using your Nutrition Information above, the macros break down as follows: 81.7% carbs, 9.7% fat, 8.6% protein. I would not use the “protein packed” designation for something with less than 20% protein.
Rachel Gurk says
Hi KT, thanks for the feedback! The serving size is only two protein balls, so if you wanted a heartier snack you could always eat more, or supplement them with other food. They’re meant to be a snack and not a full meal. Also, I provide nutrition info as an estimate only, each individual still should take responsibility for making their own nutritional and diet choices.
Kayla says
The recipe was easy to make. However, my dough came out a little dry and heavy on the nutmeg for my personal taste. Next time I will add 1/4 tsp nutmeg and try using a real apple to help with the moisture. Also, it was a little sweet for me so I will probably eliminate the maple syrup or add tsp by tsp to only add a slight sweetness.
Rachel Gurk says
I’m glad you liked them, Kayla! I’m obsessed with nutmeg so I tend to go heavy on it. ;)
If you eliminate the maple syrup, it will make them less sticky. We have a nut allergy household, but these would be great with a few tablespoons of nut butter in place of the maple syrup if you wanted to try that. It would help hold them together, too.
Andy says
These are amazing, they taste so good and simple to make. Thank you. The only change I made was using blue agave syrup. Happy days :-)
Rachel Gurk says
I’m so happy to hear that you liked these! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Sues says
Haha “I’ll bet” you’re right :) I love all things apple cinnamon and these little bites look so perfect for afternoon sweets cravings (maybe I need to replace the candy in the jar on my desk with these!)
Dorinda says
HI,
Is there anything I could use as a substitute for the dates?
Rachel Gurk says
The dates are kind of the glue that holds everything together and they also add a lot of natural sweetness. I’ve never made these with anything else so I can’t promise that anything else will work. The closest thing might be dried figs but again, I can’t promise they’ll turn out.