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Make vegan no bake nut butter energy bites with oats, coconut oil, monkfruit, and dark chocolate for a gluten free, low sugar snack that supports balanced energy and blood sugar.
I love no bake treats. These easy vegan nut butter energy bites sure do hit the spot for an energy boosting 3pm snack. Bonus: kids love and can help make.
I developed this recipe after falling in love with Coffeebar’s ‘energy balls’ at Palisades Tahoe where I love to ski.
A picture of me skiing so you know I’m not lying.
I have a midweek ski ritual where I stop by Coffeebar for a matcha latte made with almond milk and an energy ball. Do I sound like a basic yoga girl or what? They also have paleo bowls, woot. But anyway, my favorite aprés ski snack of all time is their energy ball made with (from what I can tell) peanut butter, chocolate chips, chia seeds, oats, and coconut oil, give or take a few ingredients.
So I set out to recreate it at home, and to make a sugar free version at that. Here’s what I came up with!
Vegan No Bake Nut Butter Energy Bites
These can be made mostly sugar free. They’re also gluten and dairy free and can be made vegan. So versatile!
The oats provide you with some good soluble fiber; you get good fats from the nut butter and coconut oil; and we all know chocolate is a superfood! Best of all, these will be very low sugar if you use monkfruit. Pretty much the perfect snack for the 3pm slump. A good mix of protein, fat, and carbs.
Here is what you’ll need + recipe variations:
- Nut butter of your choice. I LOVE peanut butter, so that’s what I used here. You can use almond butter and probably sunbutter too. Avoid Jif or other crappy peanut butters that contain hydrogenated oils and added sugar.
- Gluten free rolled oats
- Coconut oil
- Granulated sugar free sweetener. My go-to is Zen Sweet, which is a granulated monkfruit sweetener. You could also use xylitol. Both safe for diabetics. Alternatively if you don’t have a granulated sweetener, you could use honey or maple syrup (see adjustments in recipe), but it won’t be mostly sugar free.
- Vanilla
- Sea salt (I like this kind).
- Unsweetened flaked coconut
- Dark chocolate. I use a bar of 70 – 80 percent dark and chop it. Very low sugar (this one has only 12 grams of sugar for the whole bar). You can also use Enjoy Life for a vegan version. They’re dairy and soy free. If you use regular sized chocolate chips, chop them down a bit. I have also used these dark chocolate covered cacao nibs from Trader Joe’s, and they work perfectly! They’re the ideal size.
Nut Butter Energy Bites
Ingredients
Method
- First off, melt coconut oil and whisk in the granulated sweetener til dissolved.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together nut butter, coconut oil/monkfruit, and vanilla. If using honey or maple syrup, just whisk that in together with nut butter, melted coconut oil (be sure to only use 2 tbsp in this case), and vanilla.
- Mix in rolled oats and flaked coconut. I usually use my hands to incorporate everything.
- Add pinch salt, then stir in chocolate chips (I also use my hands for this).
- Roll into balls. This works best with clean, wet hands. Batter will be sticky.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes or longer so they set. Keep refrigerated. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Super easy. Let me know how they turn out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these no bake energy bites healthy for everyday snacking?
These no bake energy bites are designed as a balanced snack with healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbohydrates to support stable blood sugar. Nut butter and coconut oil provide satiety, oats add fiber, and dark chocolate offers antioxidants, making them healthier than processed snack bars.
Can these energy bites be made fully vegan and dairy free?
Yes, the recipe can be fully vegan and dairy free by choosing plant based nut butter, dairy free dark chocolate, and replacing honey with monkfruit or maple syrup. Coconut oil provides structure and richness, allowing the bites to remain plant based without sacrificing texture.
What makes these energy bites good for a 3pm energy slump?
These bites combine protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, which slow digestion and support steady energy release. This balance helps prevent rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, making them a smart choice for afternoon fatigue instead of reaching for refined sugar snacks.
Are these energy bites safe for people watching sugar intake?
They can be mostly sugar free when made with monkfruit or xylitol and high cacao dark chocolate. Using low glycemic sweeteners keeps blood sugar more stable while still delivering flavor, making them suitable for people managing insulin resistance or reducing added sugars.
Can kids help make these no bake energy bites?
Yes, this recipe is simple and requires no oven, making it safe and interactive for children. Kids can mix ingredients and roll the bites by hand. Involving children in food preparation encourages healthier snacking habits and builds confidence in the kitchen.
Why does Mary recommend monkfruit as the sweetener?
Mary recommends monkfruit because it provides natural sweetness without raising blood glucose or insulin levels. This makes the energy bites supportive for blood sugar balance and sustained energy, especially for people sensitive to sugar spikes or afternoon crashes.
How should these energy bites be stored for best freshness?
Store the bites in the refrigerator in an airtight container to maintain firmness and prevent melting. Cooling allows the coconut oil to stay solid and improves texture. Keeping them chilled also preserves freshness and flavor for several days.
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Welcome to my site! I am a holistic nutrition consultant based in California, though I work with clients all over the world. I love houseplants, dogs, snow sports, and music that doesn't suck.
