No Bake Cookie Energy Bites (Gluten Free, Vegan)

No Bake Cookie Energy Bites – The perfect snack when you’re craving something sweet. These chocolate peanut butter energy bites are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and taste like a cookie! 

We’re counting down the last few weeks until summer break! I don’t know about other moms, but the summer anthem at my house is “I will take all the snacks you have, please.”

Between growth spurts and burning extra energy playing and swimming on hot days, my kids are extra hungry in the summer! For the last few years, we’ve been in the habit of keeping a stash of energy bites in the fridge so we always have something easy and ready to offer when it’s snack or mealtime.

Energy bites have been a great way for me to get more protein and fat into my kids’ diets, which really helps them stay full longer. They’re just so handy! Granted, these chocolate peanut butter energy bites definitely blur the line between sweet and snack, but I love that they’re made from a really simple ingredient list and come together quickly.

It also helps that they bites taste like no-bake cookies. For real.

I love the blend of favors here–the peanut butter chocolate combination is so satisfying! Plus, with oats, flax, and coconut, these get even more filling. It truly feels like you’re eating no-bake cookie dough! I typically pair one or two of these with something like fruit or veggies, or more protein (like nuts in a trail mix or a protein-boosted toast) for afternoon snack, or tuck one into their school lunches throughout the year (they’re the perfect size for packing!). Both kids LOVE them, and I love that they’re so convenient and easy.

Here’s what you need to make these no-bake cookie energy bites…

Here’s What Goes Into Our No-Bake Cookie Energy Bites:

• (Gluten-Free) Rolled Oats. I most often use rolled oats to make no-bake cookie energy bites, but quick oats will absolutely work in a pinch. If you’re gluten-free, be sure to buy certified gluten-free oatmeal to avoid cross contact or cross contamination! (See the FAQ below for more!)
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut. Finely shredded unsweetened coconut works best for these energy balls, rather than the large shavings or coconut chips. If you have a few minutes to toast the coconut first, it’ll add even better flavor!
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. You can add SO much delightful chocolate flavor to your no-bake energy bites just by using cocoa powder. Since our recipe is raw and doesn’t need leaveners like baking soda or baking powder, you can use either regular unsweetened cocoa or Dutch-processed/dark cocoa powder. Whichever you have or like best!
• Ground Flax Seed. Not 100% essential, but I love to add it when I can for some extra fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Ground flax is better than whole flax for this recipe!
• Peanut Butter. I use natural peanut butter (just peanuts and salt–no sugar or oils added), and have found that different brands vary in consistency. Some are quite runny, others aren’t. You may find you need to add a little more peanut butter or a little more syrup or some milk if your peanut butter is thick.
• Pure Maple Syrup. Some natural sweetener helps bind these chocolate peanut butter energy bites together and rounds out the flavor. Don’t worry! It won’t taste maple-y. It’ll let those chocolate peanut butter flavors shine through!
• Vanilla & A Pinch Of Salt. Balance the flavor with some vanilla and a little pinch of salt. *chef’s kiss*

Have A Peanut Allergy? If you’ve got a peanut allergy or prefer to avoid peanut butter, you can sub something else, like sunflower seed butter, this 7 Nut and Seed blend, almond butter or cashew butter, or another nut butter. They’re flexible and easy that way!

Related: 15 Healthy Snacks to Make Right Now

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites, Step By Step:

1. Combine the ingredients in a food processor: combine oats, coconut, cocoa powder, ground flax, and salt. Add peanut butter, syrup, and vanilla.
2. Pulse just until mixture comes together and is fairly smooth. (You’ll still see some pieces of coconut and oats, you just don’t want large chunks of anything.)
3. Check your texture: Peanut butter varies in thickness, so if your mixture seems a bit dry, feel free to add a touch more peanut butter or syrup to help the mixture come together, as needed)
4. Scoop mixture into 1″ balls and roll out to smooth.
5. Store. Place energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator and store up to 1 week. (You can also freeze these up to 1 month)

FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best No-Bake Cookie Energy Bites:

Add a layer of flavor. When I have time, I love toasting the coconut before making these. It adds another little layer of flavor that’s so satisfying and delicious!

My favorite trick: I swear by using a cookie scoop for making energy bites. It’s easy to get them all the same size. I scoop them out, then roll them in my hands to smooth them. I use my cookie scoop for everything from meatballs, to energy bites, to measuring muffin batter and more. It’s one of my favorite kitchen tools!

Notes on Oats (& a Gluten Free Tip): You can use either old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats for these chocolate peanut butter energy bites. We’re gluten free, so we buy certified gluten-free oats, like Bob’s Red Mill, Thrive Market, Trader Joe’s, or One Degree. Oats themselves don’t contain wheat gluten, but processing and farming practices often cause cross-contamination. We buy certified gluten free oats and have never had a bad reaction. If that’s not a concern, any kind will do!

Add More Chocolate! If you want, you can also mix in some mini chocolate chips right at the end before you roll them. Or, drizzle with chocolate like we do in our Thin Mint Energy Bites!

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Originally shared 8/16. Fully updated 5/22.