Healthy No Bake Protein Bites- Gluten Free
These delicious homemade protein balls are a healthy snack that are loved by both kids and adults alike! With simple ingredients, they are the perfect choice for satisfying that sweet tooth while still remaining a healthy option. We call them “Cookie Bites” but you can call them whatever you want!
We love to have easy, delicious, and healthy snacks that we can throw together with just a few simple ingredients. These
protein balls are just that. Easy, delicious, and healthy! You can easily change up the recipe to have different flavors so that everyone in the household can have their favorites.
When I first saw these little nuggets it reminded me of the No-Bake Cookie I use to make as a child. However, those had melted chocolate and a whole lot of sugar! One of the reason I loved making them was because it was an easy and quick snack that I could make myself to share with my whole family. These protein ball, while a similar concept and taste, are a much easier to throw together, are still child friendly, and have healthy ingredients.
Having on-the-go snacks can be essential for a parent of young children. While pre-packaged snacks can be nice to have on hand for a quick snack option, they are becoming overly processed and have more artificial and harmful ingredients than good. Finding the healthier options of pre-packaged snacks can be tricky depending on where you live but can also be expensive! That’s why I love finding recipes that I can make at home with ingredients I usually already have in my pantry!
These protein balls are a great snack to take on road trips or outings. We make a batch and take them along on trips to the zoo, parks, picnics, camping, and hiking. They, in my opinion, when paired with a veggie like carrot sticks, are the perfect snack for a little energy boost and to fill bellies.
This recipe has been a staple in our home for a quick and yummy snack to have on hand. These cookie bites are delicious and our whole family loves to snack on them. My husband gets just as excited as the kids when I make them and gives them a 5-star rating!
For this recipe you need the following basic ingredients:
Oats (quick oats are preferable due to their texture but old-fashioned oats and steel cut will still work well)
Peanut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter would work just as well.) I try to choose a natural nut butter with ingredients of only “nuts and salt” to avoid the added sugar and palm oils.
Raw Honey or Maple Syrup- Choose a pure maple syrup, not the table syrup that is made with corn syrup. I have even mixed the two before and it turned out just as good.
Chia seeds
Ground Cinnamon
Hemp Heart Seeds (optional but a great added source of protein and omega 3)
Additional add-ins (optional):
Favorite Protein powder
Ground flax seed
* To ensure a gluten friendly option, choose “certified gluten-free” oats and be aware of hidden gluten in add-ins like chocolate chips. If unsure whether your chocolate chips contain gluten, consider opting for a cocoa powder instead.
Healthy Protein Balls
Yield: 16-20 balls Prep-time: 10 mins + chilling time
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups rolled oats.(use less if you plan to add in a protein powder)
1/4 cup hemp heart seeds, optional
2 Tbs chia seeds.
1/2 tsp cinnamon.
1/2 cup peanut butter.
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup.
1 tsp pure vanilla extract.
1/4 cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, pumpkin purée, shredded coconut, raisins or other dried fruit)
Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients together (oats, hemp seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, mix-ins). You can also use a food processor if you have a hard time with thicker mixes.
2. Using a wooden spoon, mix in the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla, and additional mix-ins. Mix until everything is incorporated. If the mixture seems too wet add in more oats. If the mixture seems too dry add in a little extra peanut butter or honey/syrup.
3. Place in refrigerator and let chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. Using either a small cookie scoop, spoon, or just eyeballing it, roll into 1-2 inch balls.
5.Store in airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Note: Keeping them stored in the refrigerator is best, however, they do just find at room temperature if your plan is to take them out and about with you.
Note: Feel free to add in multiple mix-ins. We find that the combination of chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and pumpkin purée are perfect additions!
Note: We typically make a double (or even triple) batch at a time.
Health No Bake Protein Bites-Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup hemp heart seeds optional
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients together (oats, hemp seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, mix-ins). You can also use a food processor if you have a hard time with thicker mixes.
- Using a wooden spoon, mix in the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla, and additional mix-ins. Mix until everything is incorporated. If the mixture seems too wet add in more oats. If the mixture seems too dry add in a little extra peanut butter or honey/syrup.
- Place in refrigerator and let chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Using either a small cookie scoop, spoon, or just eyeballing it, roll into 1-2 inch balls.
- Store in airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Notes
Be Encouraged,
Alycia
If you have a favorite ingredient add-in for this yummy snack, share it in the comments!