Sargent Choice Test Kitchen: No Bake Energy Bites

To depict the final result of energy bites recipe.

January 24, 2024
Ashly Estrada, Nutrition Student

Why We Chose This Recipe

  • This recipe does not require any heat, which makes it very easy and accessible to make.
  • These energy bites are a delicious and satisfying snack.
  • This recipe can be customized according to what you may have on hand or would like to include in an energy bite.

Yield: Makes about 20 – 24 bites 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup sunflower butter (or nut or seed butter of choice)
  • 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Note: This snack is customizable. Feel free to add in or swap out ingredients for other items such as coconut flakes, chopped nuts (walnuts, peanuts, almonds, etc.), dried fruit, seeds, and more!

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. If the mixture is too dry, add more honey/maple syrup. If it is too wet, add more oats.
  2.  Roll into balls of 2 inches across or whatever size you prefer and place on parchment paper.
  3. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, then store in an airtight container (in the fridge or freezer).
  4. Enjoy!
This image shows the sunflower butter being added to oats in a bowl.

What We Liked:

  • We enjoyed the taste of the bites, as they were not overwhelmingly sweet, but still contained lots of flavor due to the combination of maple syrup with the pumpkin pie spice.
  • Given that most dessert recipes require baking, the students who live in dorms appreciated how this recipe does not require the use of heat.
  • We appreciated the versatility of this recipe, given that many students stated that they would add other toppings to the energy bite mixture such as coconut flakes.

      Nutritional Value:

      • Flaxseeds contain fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are an essential fatty acid that helps maintain your heart healthy, but that the body cannot produce on its own.
      • Oats are rich in fiber, vitamins, protein, and minerals. Oats contain soluble fiber, which, in addition to supporting digestion, can help lower cholesterol.
      • Oats are also a great source of whole grains and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide quick energy. Therefore, these bites are both delicious and energizing. Whole grains include more fiber than refined grains. Including more fiber in your diet can be very beneficial due to how it supports a healthy digestive tract and keeps us satiated for longer.
      • Sunflower butter which is found in these bites is a great source of protein that provides long-lasting energy. Sunflower butter can be a nice protein alternative for folks that aren’t able to consume other nut butters.