These easy, no bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bites are heart-healthy, protein-packed, high in fiber and they taste great. A super satisfying afternoon snack or grab-and-go breakfast that will give you a big energy boost, keep you feeling full and delight you with crunchy, nutty, sweet and salty satisfaction.

When I studied nutrition at Leith's School of Food and Wine in London, one of my homework assignments was to develop healthy, low calorie snack recipes. That's how these no bake peanut butter energy bites came to be.

These tasty bites are easy to throw together, they taste better than cookies, and they're nutritious. I hope you'll give them a try and maybe they'll become a favorite in your house. They are in mine!

WHAT MAKES THESE ENERGY BITES HEALTHY?

So many good-for-you ingredients packed into these little snack balls!

Rolled Oats: Oats are high in soluble fiber which helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Almonds: Almonds are heart-healthy and packed with nutrition, high in protein, monounsaturated (healthy) fats, vitamins and minerals.
Flax seed: Flax is an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acid and a very good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium and manganese.
Peanut Butter: Peanuts are high in protein and monounsaturated (healthy) fats and they have a good amount of vitamins and minerals.
Dark Chocolate: Studies have found a number of health benefits from eating dark chocolate such as a reduced risk of heart disease. We already know the psychological benefits - it makes us deliciously happy.

How To Make Peanut Butter Energy Bites:

The recipe is easy: Toast the oats and almonds. Mix everything together in a big bowl. Shape the mixture into balls. enjoy!

Toast the Oats and Almonds: Toast them in a dry skillet, stirring constantly, for a few minutes, until they color slightly. It's worth mentioning here that many energy bites and energy balls recipes use raw oats and nuts. I think it's worth the extra effort to toast them. It only takes a few minutes, the flavors are greatly enhanced, and toasted oats are more digestible than raw.
Mix Everything Together: Combine toasted oats, almonds, flax seed, chocolate, salt, maple syrup and vanilla in a bowl. Add peanut butter and mix well. Don't worry if the mixture feels sticky at first. Let it sit for a few minutes. The oats and flax will absorb some of the liquids and your mixture will be ready to shape.
Line a tray with parchment paper or waxed paper.
Shape Energy Bites: You can simply roll the mixture into balls with your hands or you can shape them into neat little dome-shaped cookies that sit flat, using the tablespoon from a set of measuring spoon. Scoop up a generous tablespoon full of the mixture and press it firmly against the side or bottom of the bowl to pack it in. Push in gently on one edge of the filling and it should slide right out out of the spoon. Place it on the prepared sheet.
Done! The recipe makes about 24 tablespoon-sized peanut butter energy bites.
Storage: Peanut butter energy bites will keep for a week, stored in a plastic bag or airtight container in the fridge.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

If you toast the oats and almonds just before making the energy bites, allow them to cool before mixing with the rest of the ingredients, to prevent the chocolate from melting.
If your energy bites are sticking to your hands or to the spoon when you try to shape them, put the mixture in the fridge for ten to fifteen minutes. That should solve the problem.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BITES:

They're perfect for grabbing when you want a tasty healthy breakfast on the run.
They're portable. You can throw a couple of them in your kids' lunch box or into your own for a delicious healthy snack or dessert.
They satisfy the 4 o'clock craving. Grab one or two when you're needing an afternoon pick-me-up and you'll feel full until dinner time.

These peanut butter energy bites have become a much requested favorite in my house lately. When I tested them out on my Leith's Nutrition classmates, they got big thumbs up. I sent some over to my neighbor who described them as "moreish, satiating and decadent with the chocolate."

These are fun to share!

I've been making a big batch every week. They've become my go-to late afternoon pick-me-up, with a cup of decaf or tea.

MORE HEALTHY SNACK RECIPES:

Here's the recipe for No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bites. If you try this recipe I hope you'll come back to leave a rating and comment. I'd love to know what you think.