Peanut Butter Protein Energy Bites

These Peanut Butter Protein Energy Bites are the perfect bite-sized snacks filled with wholesome, pantry staple ingredients! Perfect for on the go, for school, or happy desk lunches! 

This recipe was originally published in July 2019 – I’ve since updated the photos! Enjoy!

Over the years, I have posted a few fun energy bite recipes on the blog. For instance, there are the lovable Chocolate Orange variety, or I do love the Peanut Butter and Jelly ones! 

But for some reason, these Peanut Butter Protein Bites are always my go-to. Probably because they are so pantry friendly and you don’t need extra expensive ingredients to make them hold together. 

I know that the energy bite craze has been around for several years now! I remember in my senior year of college (wow 2016 seems like forever ago!) My roommate Molly and I constantly had huge containers of energy bites in our fridge and when we would inevitably forget an ingredient (usually honey), we would just eat the mixture with a spoon instead of rolling it into balls. #collegelife

Why You’ll Love These Bites:

These Peanut Butter Protein Energy Bites are SO good. They’re loaded with crunchy peanut butter, lots of rolled oats, crunchy chia seeds and they have a scoop of protein in them!

All of these ingredients together make sure that it’s the perfect bite! These are truly the perfect nutritious snack for you to perk you back up when you hit that 3 PM work slump. 

Or, since eggs are outrageously expensive right now, these are great to have on hand for a protein boost after you work out! 

Or, if you’re like me and find yourself just ravenously hungry at 8 PM even after eating dinner…these are the perfect little sweet treat to pop while you’re watching your favorite TV show. 

Ingredients You Need: 

• rolled oats – use the old fashioned kind for this recipe!
• chia seeds – the crunchiest little seeds!
• crunchy peanut butter – be sure to use the more “natural” kind that has minimal ingredients. I love Trader Joe’s crunchy brand – only peanuts and salt and super inexpensive!
• raw honey – you can use any honey you have on hand, but raw honey is my personal favorite!
• vanilla extract – feel free to skip this, but I love the added flavor!
• salt – I use kosher salt for this recipe. 
• favorite scoop of protein powder – My all time favorite is the Bob’s Red Mill in the vanilla flavor because it tastes like funfetti cake mix haha!)

How to Make Energy Bites in 5 Simple Steps: 

1. Grab a food processor! To it, add the rolled oats, chia seeds, peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, salt and protein powder. 
2. Pulse in the food processor until the ingredients are all combined and can be easily rolled into balls. NOTE: If the mixture is still falling apart, add either more peanut butter or honey until it is stickier and is easy to roll. However, I found that the measurements I used below in the recipe card worked for me!
3. Roll 1-2 tbsp worth of the mixture into your hands – I personally did about 2 bite size balls. Next, add to a baking sheet and stick in the refrigerator. Let these stay in the fridge for about 30 minutes or so and then eat up! I made sure to store mine in the fridge. 

Energy Bite Pro-Tips: 

• Use a food processor to help blend everything together! 

If you have one, I highly recommend using a food processor to make these! They make sure that all of your ingredients are evenly mixed together (as in, you don’t get a huge glob of peanut butter in one energy bite and the next is dry as a bone).

• For this recipe, use crunchy peanut butter! 

By using crunchy peanut butter, you’re basically adding in an extra ingredient (hey crunchy peanuts!) without actually buying/using real peanuts. Budget win! 

• You need something sticky to help emulsify the bites! 

I prefer honey and I always have. If you’re vegan, you could always use maple syrup or agave sweetener! 

Storing Leftovers: 

Store the leftover bites in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Hope you guys enjoyed this one! XO. 

Did you like this recipe? Here are a few more you might like:  

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars 

Thank you so much for following along here, friends! Want to see more? Be sure to follow ourbalancedbowl on Instagram and tag me with your photo if you end up making a recipe! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the Our Balanced Bowl Facebook page! Like a recipe that you saw? Follow me on Pinterest here! I always love to see your re-creations! If you do make a recipe, it would make my whole day if you were to rate and comment so I can get your feedback! Lots of love! – Haylie