Looking for something that tastes like a cross between a slice of banana bread and a doughy soft banana cookie? Don’t worry, I’ve got the perfect solution: NO BAKE BANANA BREAD ENERGY BITES ALL UP IN YO BUSINESS.
These incredible no bake banana energy bites are loaded with crunchy chia seeds, chewy oats, protein-packed peanut butter, cozy cinnamon and an optional scoop of protein powder if you’d like. Can I get a yum already?!
Keep them in your fridge or freezer for the perfect on-the-go snack or treat!
Energy bites packed with omega-3s & protein
These banana energy bites are packed with omega-3 thanks to walnuts & chia seeds. Omega-3s are a wonderful fatty acid that’s essential for your brain, your heart and the immune system. A lot of people struggle to get enough omega-3s in their diet as we tend to not eat enough fish, walnuts, or veggies with that type of nutrient. You can read more about 0mega-3s here.
Another reason to love these energy bites? They’re packed with protein thanks to peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter) and protein powder. While the protein powder is completely optional, I choose to use it to boost the protein in these energy bites and make them a great post-workout snack.
Ingredients in banana energy bites
These banana energy bites are made with simple, nourishing ingredients, taste like a banana bread cookie with plenty of crunchy, yet doughy texture and are even drizzled with dark chocolate for a touch of indulgence. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make these energy bites:
- Banana: I suggest using a banana with brown spots to keep these perfectly sweet.
- Peanut butter: natural, drippy peanut butter helps hold the energy bites together and pairs perfectly with the banana flavor. Use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15‘ to get 15% off of my fav nut butter brand, Wild Friends.
- Honey: you’ll just need a bit of honey to help sweeten these energy bites.
- Walnuts: toasted walnuts make these even more delicious. Pecans are also a great option.
- Chia seeds: I love adding chia seeds for a nutritional boost of fiber & protein and a delicious crunch.
- Flavor boosters: don’t forget the cinnamon and salt to bring out the cozy flavors.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: if you want to make these gluten free, make sure to use gluten free rolled oats.
- Optional: I like to add protein powder for an extra boost! I love using Vital Protein Collagen peptides because it’s unflavored, but you can feel free to use a plant based protein powder or omit it completely.
- Chocolate: for an extra treat I like to melt dark chocolate chips with coconut oil to create that delicious chocolate drizzle.
Customize this snack
There are a few easy ways to make these banana bread energy bites your own:
- Make them vegan: simply swap the honey for maple syrup or coconut palm syrup, then be sure to use vegan chocolate chips.
- Go nut free: instead of peanut butter use sunflower seed butter and omit the chopped walnuts (or add in extra chia seeds).
- Try a new nut butter: I LOVE the flavor that peanut butter gives these energy bites (especially paired with banana) but you can always use your fav nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter instead.
How to make banana energy bites
All you’ll need is a few ingredients, a food processor and a cookie scoop (or you can use your hands). Here’s how to make them:
- Make the “dough.” Add all ingredients (besides ingredients for the drizzle) to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are well combined and come together like cookie dough.
- Shape the energy bites. Use a medium cookie scoop to grab the dough and then roll it into about 18 balls, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the energy bites for 30 minutes until they’re solid.
- Add chocolate. Melt your chocolate chips with the coconut oil, drizzle over the energy bites, and place them back in the freezer for 10 minutes to set. Then enjoy!
Can I make them without a food processor?
Sure! Simply mix the wet ingredients in a bowl, then add in dry the ingredients and mix together until combined. I usually have to use my hands to mix the dough. At this point, you should be able to roll the mixture into balls. If not, add a bit more nut butter and/or sweetener to help them stick together.
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Storing tips
- To store: these peanut butter banana energy bites will last for 1 week in an airtight container in the fridge.
- To freeze: feel free to add them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 1 month. I prefer these energy bites straight from the freezer, and I’d recommend letting them soften up for about 5-10 minutes in the fridge or at room temp before eating them.
More no bake snacks you’ll love
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Salted Caramel Coconut Cashew Energy Bites
- Honey Cinnamon Almond Butter Energy Bites
- Salted Dark Chocolate Pistachio Quinoa Crunch Bars
Get all of my no bake snack recipes here!
I hope you love these banana energy bites as much as I do. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment below, rate the recipe and let me know how you liked them. I appreciate you! xo.
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Chia Banana Bread Energy Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup mashed ripe banana (from 1 medium ripe banana)
- 1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter (or almond butter or pecan butter)
- 1/4 cup honey (or sub pure maple syrup or coconut palm syrup)
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts (or pecans)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, gluten free if desired
- Optional add-in:
- 2 scoops (1 serving) Vital Protein Collagen peptides (about ¼ cup protein powder)*
- For the drizzle:
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips, dairy free if desired
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (besides ingredients for the drizzle) to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are well combined and come together like cookie dough. You should still have some chunks of nuts. FYI: you may need to stop a few times and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Process again until combined.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to grab dough and then roll into balls. You should get about 18 balls. Place energy bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted. Drizzle over balls, then place back in the freezer for 10 minutes. Balls should be kept in an airtight container in the freezer and will last up to 3 months. Enjoy them straight from the freezer. If they are too hard, let them sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on February 26th, 2020, and republished on April 25th, 2023.
148 comments
What can I substitute for the protein powder
You can leave it out if you’d like! They’ll still be delicious!
Did you use that protein powder while pregnant?
Yep!
So good!! Only problem is that I can’t stop eating them!!
Best snack! 🙂
I skipped the honey and added extra almond butter to help the dough stick together. I wasn’t convinced this would have banana bread flavor with only one banana but happy to report I was wrong! These are SO good! And super easy! I will definitely be making these again.
Perfect! Glad that little swap worked out well 🙂 so happy you loved them!
So easy and very tasty! Will be making again. Assuming this batch won’t last long. 😋
Absolutely! Glad you loved them 🙂
Instead of melting and drizzling chocolate on top, I stirred in mini chocolate chips at the end and then rolled the bites. I also used regular crunchy peanut butter because that was what I had on hand. Easy and super delicious!! Don’t think they will last long! I think these would be great for kids (and husbands 😂) because they taste sweet without added junk. A great way to sneak in some good ingredients 🙂
So good! Perfect snack for kiddos and husbands 😉 glad you loved them!
Quick, easy and super yummy! I added mini chocolate chips instead of the drizzle.
Love that idea!!
Made these to get me through the week! They are SO yummy, SO easy, and really filling. I highly recommend. Thanks, Monique 🙂
Perfect! So glad you love them!
I have made multiple batches of these just in March alone. Now in quarantine, I’m even more thankful for this recipe as it is a #gamechanger gluten-free snack/treat to have on hand in the freezer… and I just made another two batches while at home. My husband LOVES them as do my little ones.
If it’s helpful, the variations I consistently choose from Monique’s recipe (as posted are): almond butter (Costco brand), honey (but I’ve also tried with her suggested sub. of maple syrup and it’s just as yummy), and Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips.
Amazing! So happy that the whole family loves these. Great tip with the variations, too!
Easy and delicious!!! I had people at work (pre-C OVID) begging me for the recipe
One of my fav snacks! Glad everyone loved them!
I didn’t have walnuts so I made them without and they were so good. I made them a few weeks before I had my baby and I took some with me to the hospital. I literally had two of these an hour after delivering. It was the first thing I ate! Makes a great snack while pumping, too!
Amazing! I’m so glad you found this recipe beforehand. Such a nourishing snack (it’s one of my favs right now, too!)
I made these last night and my kids loved them, even without the chocolate drizzle! These were really easy to make and are delicious.
Such a great snack! Glad they loved them 🙂
I made these and they taste great! Not sure if my scoop is too big though. I only got 12 out of them. Do you use regular salt or kosher salt in these?
Hmmm I might suggest just rolling them a bit smaller if you’d like! And I usually just use regular salt.
Easy and delicious! The banana flavor really shines through and makes for a perfect grab and go snack.
I my soooo sad. I use my cuisinart food processor every day. I have never had a problem with it; always works great. I made these yesterday and they burnt out the motor of my food processor! The honey/peanut butter mixture was too rough on it. I am so sad. 😭 please be careful when making these. Now I have to buy a new (expensive) food processor. 😔
Hi Dana! So sorry to hear that! I’ve used a cuisinart food processor before with recipes like this and it worked well. The banana should help with some of the moisture, too. Next time I’d recommend pulsing and scraping down the edges to help with the process!
I am out of rolled oats due to quarantine. Can I substitute quick cook steel oats?
Unfortunately I would not recommend, sorry.
I’ve made these probably 1-2 times a month since you first posted the recipe on Instagram. I absolutely love these and it’s my favorite way to use up the lonely ripe banana. In fact, I almost always leave 1 banana aside just to make these. Love! So delicious and easy.
Amazing! So happy to hear that 🙂
These look amazing 🙂 I don’t have a food processor, just a VitaMix. Do you think it would work the same?
The BEST energy balls I’ve ever made. Full of flavour. This recipe actually burnt out my VitaMix, thankfully, I caught it on time just needed some time to cool. I will not use it again for this recipe. Just in case anyone was wondering. The mix came out perfectly even without fully processing it through a processor. Will be making these again! Wonderful recipe.
Oh no! Sorry to hear about your Vitamix! I’m glad they worked out regardless 🙂
So easy and very delicious!!!
Glad you loved them!
I tried this as well and they were amazing!! I sure wasn’t hungry after eating a couple of these.
Just wanted to let you know that since one of my friends showed me this recipe and your blog, I have been eyeing it every day and I am amazed, I love your website very much! 🙂 So many things to try out now 🙂 Keep up the good work!
I’m so glad you found Ambitious Kitchen! Such a great snack to start out with 🙂 hope you keep finding recipes here that you love!
These are amazing. The perfect healthy snack to have on hand. Enough said. So good.
Absolutely! Glad you love them!
Gotta tell you my 4 year old rated these not just a 5 but a “909080”…and then begged can I have more? We used almond butter, chopped almonds, and 1/2 cup dried strawberries. I’d been saving the expensive dried strawberries for a special snack and this was it! Thanks Monique for another fun and healthy snack!
Amazing! So happy to hear that 🙂
I stumbled across this recipe searching for banana protein balls as I wanted to use up some overripe bananas without making banana bread. So glad I did, because they are absolutely delicious! I used a half cup of chocolate chips instead of doing the glaze. These will be in my permanent rotation now, and I look forward to trying out your other recipes which all look so delicious!
Such a great snack! Glad you loved them!
Great recipe, looking for more energy healthy bites
Thank you
So glad you found this one!
These are SUCH a hit! I made them while I was at home visiting my parents during quarantine & my mom fell in love with them so much- she sends me a picture every time she makes them now! I fell in love with them as well. Their texture is amazing- it’s such a bummer when oat balls are dry and fall apart. The banana is key and this recipe is so good. Plus, the chocolate drizzle on top doesn’t hurt 😉
Amazing! So happy you both loved these 🙂
I’ve made this recipe for my snack prep quite often they’re so delicious!!!
Love that!
what can I substitute for honey, on a low carb and sugar-free diet. How much would I need to add to equal for the honey
I don’t use sugar-free alternatives in my recipes so I’m not 100% sure – let me know if you try something!
is the honey for sweetening or to hold the energy balls together. I have made these with 1/4 more of peanut butter without honey and i love them with honey.
yum!
Perfect snack 🙂
I have tried so many power/protein balls and bites. These are by far my new favorite!!! My only complaint is that I might not be able to stop eating them. They’re delicious and beautiful with the chocolate drizzle on top. This recipe is a keeper and one I’ll be sending my friends!!
Such a great snack! Glad you loved them 🙂
Love these!!
So happy to hear that!
These are so so good. Sometimes I add the chocolate, sometimes I am lazy and leave it off. Either way, I love that these are made of wholesome ingredients and that they are so easy to whip up for the week. This past week I used cashews instead of walnuts and chocolate whey protein and they were perfect as usual.
So easy and delicious!
The best snack!
Delicious!
These are delicious! I made them with almonds and almond butter as they’re the only nuts my son can eat. The whole family loved them and they’re really easy to make. Also recommended them to a friend who has already made them! 🥰
I make these often – love that they taste so good but are made up of nutritious ingredients! Such a good snack for work or a light dessert.
Everyone in my family loves them! I just made a double batch because they rarely last the day. I have a smaller food processor, so I blend the oats, nuts, and protein powder first since my kids don’t like the nut chunks. Delicious!
I made a rather different version of these, making them grain free, but this was a great starting point! We ate them for hiking snacks and called them energy balls. My three year old daughter can’t manage the word “energy” yet, so she would ask me for an “injury ball”. So funny!
Such a great snack! Haha I’m glad she liked them, too 🙂
Wow- these are a perfect snack. And freezer friendly. These came together fast – the melted chocolate is an extra step, but so worth it!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed!
I just made these with Nuttzo Mixed Nut and Seed Butter. They are so good! Nuttzo has chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds in addition to cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, and hazelnuts. I made the recipe as is but left out the chia seeds since they are in the nut butter. Thank you for a great recipe!
Love that! Sounds delicious.
So easy and so good! Totally satisfies my sweet tooth, they really don’t taste like a “healthy” dessert. Go make these now!
So glad you loved them!
My kids love these! They request them every time we have brown bananas.
So happy to hear that! Perfect snack 🙂
Super quick, uses ingredients that i have on hand, and makes a healthy snack while pumping/breastfeeding (and constantly starving!). Just one tip: if you don’t use a PB with a drippy consistency, a tablespoon of melted coconut oil adds the extra moisture and helps them stick together!
The best! And great tip!
Our whole family loves these! We’ve been making them since our third child was born in January and they are the perfect little snack that feels like a treat. My boys love them and they are the perfect quick snack for me while I’m breastfeeding and always hungry!
So happy to hear that!!
A recipe I always come back to! So filling and a perfect bite for those of you with the afternoon sweet tooth like me! I love these as a preworkout snack as well. I never even really measure the ratios anymore and they still taste great every time, a must make for adults, kids, everyone!
So happy to hear that! One of my go-to’s, too 🙂
Always a go to! My food processor tends to get stuck trying to combine all of the ingredients so I use a hand mixer instead and sub oat flour.
Perfect! Glad you love them!
These are seriously SO GOOD. Even my husband who usually doesn’t enjoy peanut butter loves them. Such a great recipe!
Oh, YAY, I’m so happy that you guys are both loving these, Diane! 🙂
I’m obsessed with these tasty little balls!! This will definitely be a regular snack in our household 🙂
SO happy you’re loving them, Kayla! 🙂
These were seriously delicious! Not too hard to make and I find myself looking for one before or after a workout when I’m short on time. I keep most of them in the freezer and a few in the fridge so they’re ready to go when I need them. I use mini chocolate chips that I mix in, or sprinkle on top, at the end instead of a drizzle.
I’m so happy you’re loving these, Jessica! And agreed–so good stashed in the fridge 🙂
Instead of drizzling with chocolate I pulsed in some mini chocolate chips & they turned out great!
That’s a great idea! So glad to hear you loved them, Katie 🙂
I love these little things! It’s like having dessert for breakfast but with some added protein and fiber. I like to pair this with a fruit and some black coffee. Perfect for on the go.
My husband and I are both obsessed with these bites. I always keep them stocked in our freezer for a quick and healthy snack between meals, before a workout, or for a little something sweet after dinner. Personally, I omit the walnuts and don’t drizzle the chocolate on top to keep the calories/fat down a bit. I like to add chocolate protein powder and/or collagen when I have it on-hand. This is one of my favorite AK recipes ever!
These were such a great pregnancy snack for me and continue to be a good breastfeeding snack. Full of superfoods and lactation friendly ingredients!
Yes, so good!! Glad that you’re loving them, Alysia 🙂
Generously giving us recipes and they are really good. Thank you
Aw I’m so happy you’re loving them! Thanks so much for following along 🙂
These are delicious! Entire family loves them! We used pecans and skipped the chocolate drizzle. So yummy and definitely a recipe I will be bookmarking!
Yay! Happy you tried and loved these, Joann 🙂 Totally fine to skip the chocolate on top!
Love these! I make a batch and freeze them and have one before a workout for some healthy energy. They’re pretty straight forward to make and taste amazing… so much better than a protein bar full of additives and ingredients you can’t pronounce. Definitely recommend you give them a try!
Omg best review ever–thank you!! I’m so glad you’re loving them 🙂
These are super yummy and easy! (I skipped out on the drizzle, btw) Thanks 🙂
Totally fine to leave off the drizzle! Happy you loved them!
I am about to make these today, I don’t have chia seeds but I have flaxseed meal, can I use this as a substitute and if so how much should I use? Thank you!
Hi, there! You can sub the flaxseeds in at the same amount 🙂 Enjoy!
So, I made these and they are SO good! I made a triple batch, so I can take some on a road-trip and also share with family once we arrive at our destination. Instead of the chia seeds, I used about 3 tablespoons of the flaxseed meal and it worked.
Instead of placing everything into the food processor… I processed the nuts, then I processed the oatmeal, then I just stirred everything in a big bowl by hand and then shaped each ball with my hands. Also, I drizzled chocolate on half the batch and I added in choc chips into half the batch. Thanks and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Nice!! So glad to hear you loved them! Thanks for the review 🙂
Amazing!! The banana and cinnamon combo is so good! These are a sweet treat and a great mid-day snack.
Aren’t those flavors great together?! SO happy you enjoyed them–thanks!
I like this healthy protein snack! I specifically chose this recipe because it had chia seeds and called for small amounts of sugar. I did modified the recipe by using a little less honey and next time I would also use a little less chia seeds.
Wonderful and interesting will make today and then let you know.
Hope you enjoy them!
These are so so good!!! I love that you can dump everything in the food processor. It really is the perfect meal prep snack. Highly recommend!!
So delicious! Any reason these can’t be stored in the fridge instead of the freezer?
I like to have these in the freezer at all times! Delicious and the AK recipe I make the most!
So good! I think I’ll have to have these in the freezer at all times!
These were wonderful! Only change I might make is to add mini choc chips on the inside as well to give it a little crunch. Loved the chocolate topping though!
Love that idea! Such a great snack or treat 🙂
A staple recipe we make regularly, and delicious without the chocolate drizzle!
AH yay! I am so glad you’re loving these as much as we do, Amy! Thanks so much for your comment!
Just here to say my 3 yr old is obsessed with these. Must have them in the freezer at all times because she is always asking for ‘energy balls!’
Aw I’m so happy to hear that!
Absolutely delicious and so easy! I always bring these to friends who just had a baby as an easy snack. I keep my freezer stocked and think they taste best straight from the freezer! Yum!
Love that! Such a great snack 🙂
what can I sub for banana ??? allergy to banana
Hi! I’d recommend trying out one of my other energy bites recipes (they can all be found here) as this one was specifically made to us banana.
I’m never led astray with AK recipes but this one was even better than I expected! Will definitely make again!
So happy to hear that!
This is a new favorite of mine. I love to have them in the freezer to grab as an afternoon snack when I’m just a little hungry and also wanting something a little sweet. I use peanut butter, toasted pecans, add some unsweetened coconut and skip the protein powder. I started adding a few mini chocolate chips to the batter along with the chocolate on top. Another great AK recipe.
Just made these Chia Banana bread energy bites over the weekend and they are delicious! I catch my husband snacking on them. I keep mine in the freezer and love them that way! Glad I found this! ❤️👍
Amazing! I’m glad they’re a hit 🙂
The whole family loved these!
I’m so glad!
Delicious. All my kids love them.
So happy to hear that!
These are SO good! I literally made these in the morning and only planned to eat 2 but somehow ended up eating 4 before lunch! Every bite is chewy perfection! I also love the chocolate drizzle instead of adding chocolate chips to the dough. It makes them look really fancy and the chocolate melts easier in your mouth than having to eat a whole chocolate chip! Will definitely be making these again!!
Amazing! So glad you love them!
Omg best snack ever!!!
Was curious if anyone has had issues of their mixture being too runny creating more of a patty vs a ball. Not sure what is causing it but I can’t get the thick consistency to make a real ball. Any tips or suggestions?
Btw still amazing patty or not!!!
Glad you loved these regardless!! If the mixture is feeling runny, add some more oats to your food processor until it comes together like cookie dough 🙂
Do Chia seeds need to be soaked before adding to the recipe?
Nope!
These are fantastic! I replaced the cinnamon and protein powder with 1 scoop of Select vegan cinnamon delight plant protein powder. They turned out great. These are my new favorite Ambitious Kitchen protein snacks!
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
These are delicious, sweet from bananas, not sugar. They make a perfect sweet treat when I’m craving dessert, yet they are healthy, have extra protein and no refined sugar. These and the Lemon balls are amazing!
Absolutely! One of our favs 🙂