Apple Cinnamon No Bake Energy Bites

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!

At a glance

What stands out: Energy bites are a tasty snack food that also is low calorie and packed with lighter ingredients.

How long it takes: 15 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: food processor
Servings: makes 30

Apple cinnamon no bake energy bites are the reliable 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 we guarantee that your sweet tooth will be satisfied. While we're always for an oatmeal cookie or a slice of whole wheat banana bread, these little gems 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 from-scratch treat with lighter 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 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?

We're pretty sure the kids might even enjoy rolling those little balls for you (think play dough!). We've found that our kids are always thrilled to help us out in the kitchen and this recipe is a great way to introduce them to simple measuring skills.

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 straightforward to remove. Medjool dates are sweeter.
• Rolled Oats: Either rolled oats (old-fashioned) or speedy oats are fine. Do not use steel cut oats or instant oats.
• Dried Apple Slices: Dried apple rings are reliable 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: We 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 reliable match for apples. Think apple pie! You could easily substitute our apple pie spice blend which has a few extra spices added.

How it comes together

It’s pretty straightforward! 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. We 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.

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, or Chocolate Coconut Nut-Free Energy Balls.

Keeping leftovers

These energy balls will keep in your fridge for a couple of weeks of lighter snacking, if they last that long. You can freeze them too!

Lighter Snack Recipes

• Olive Oil Roasted Almonds
• Baked Tortilla Chips
• Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
• From-scratch Cheez-Its (cheddar cheese crackers)
• From-scratch Granola
• Black Bean Brownies

• Yield: 15 servings
• Prep: 15 minutes
• Total: 15 minutes

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

Method

1. Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until completely blended.
2. Roll into 30 balls (we use a two teaspoon scoop). Store in an airtight container.
3. 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.