5 Ingredient Energy Bites {Gluten & Dairy Free}

No bake 5 Ingredient Energy Bites {Gluten & Dairy Free}. Loaded with gluten-free oats, peanut butter and ground flax seeds. It makes for a perfect healthy protein packed breakfast, dessert or snack!

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5 Ingredient Energy Bites {Gluten & Dairy Free}

These energy bites are no bake, super easy to make and take less than 10 minutes to put together. Loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you full and loaded with energy throughout the day. Made with only 5 ingredients: peanut butter, gluten-free oats, ground flax seed, honey and dairy-free chocolate chips. Everything gets combined in one bowl. Best of all you never have to turn on the oven. And your kids will love them!

You may have heard of these referred to as power balls, lactation bites or protein bites. Either way, they are a healthy 5 ingredient pick me up that is the perfect on the go snack to give you energy throughout the day.

It’s hard to believe these 5 Ingredient Energy Bites {Gluten and Dairy Free} are healthy. They taste more like dessert than a healthy protein bite. They also make a great breakfast or dessert when you are craving something sweet! I call them ‘breakfast cookies’ and my kids can’t get enough 🙂 they’re also great for me as a busy, nursing mom-I can just grab one (or two) on-the-go.

The best things about this energy bites recipe is that it is super versatile and can be made with simply pantry ingredients that I almost always have on hand or can be easily swapped. If you don’t have flax seed on hand substitute wheat germ. Try dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet or add in shredded coconut.

They are super easy to mix up and roll into cute little energy balls (my kids love to help with this part!). Another great option, is to press the mixture into a parchment-lined baking dish and cut them into energy bars. They are the perfect make-ahead recipe to keep on hand for healthy snacking, dessert or breakfasts. And most importantly, they are just yummy!

Ingredients

• Creamy Peanut Butter: Helps to bind the energy bites together. I have used both traditional creamy peanut butter and natural creamy peanut butter in this recipe, and both work! Or you can use your favorite nut butter as well!
• Dairy-Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: I prefer using the enjoy life mini chocolate chips if I have them on hand. They make for the perfect bite size!
• Gluten-Free Oats: I prefer to use Bob’s Red mill gluten-free old fashioned oats or rolled oats in this recipe. I would not recommend making these with steel cut oats.
• Ground Flax Seed: Adds a boost of fiber and nutrients. Just keep that in mind, if your kids want eat the whole batch in one setting….lol
• Honey: Adds the perfect amount of natural sweetness to these energy bites. You can also use agave nectar or coconut oil in place of the honey.

*Optional: You can also add a splash of vanilla for some added flavor and sweetness. I do this quite a bit and my family loves it!

How To Make 5 Ingredient Energy Bites {Gluten & Dairy Free}

1. Mix. Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
2. Roll into balls. Feel free to chill mixture for ~1 hour before scoop and rolling into balls. I’m impatient and don’t wait-ha! I use either a 1tbsp measuring spoon or cookie scoop to scoop out the energy bites and roll them into a ball.
3. Chill. Place in a parchment-lined, sealed container and store in the refrigerator.
4. Enjoy! They keep well in the refrigerator for up to one week-if you don’t eat them all by then! Ours never survive that long or feel free to double or triple the recipe and store in the freezer. They keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Variations

• Make energy bars: Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan, chill, and then slice into energy bars (instead of rolling the mixture into energy balls).
• Use maple syrup in place of the honey.
• Dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
• Add shredded coconut or coconut flakes.
• Use chia or hemp seeds in place of the ground flax seeds.
• Add in an additional scoop of protein powder or collagen for extra protein. I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides & it has been very helpful for my post-partum hair loss.
• Replace the peanut butter with almond or cashew butter.

Looking for more gluten free recipes? Find them here!