These easy no-bake peanut butter cup energy bites are made with 7 wholesome ingredients you probably already have on hand. A combination of peanut butter, protein powder, and dates creates a luxurious truffle-like texture in a cute bite-sized treat!
Energy bites, also known as bliss balls, protein balls, power balls, or energy balls, are the perfect snack for busy days. They come together quickly since no baking is required and are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber!
Fair warning: you will be casually heading back to the fridge (or freezer) to grab another one because they are just THAT good. You cannot just have one (believe me, I've tried).
The salty combo of peanut butter, paired with the caramel-like dates and the rich chocolatey flavors of raw cacao powder make these bites absolute perfection.
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Ingredients
If you also have an insatiable sweet tooth and a deep love of peanut butter and chocolate, these energy bites are a must. Here's what you'll need to make them:
- Medjool dates: Medjool dates are best in this recipe as they add natural sweetness, similar to a caramel flavor.
- Creamy peanut butter: use an all-natural peanut butter with just peanuts (salt is ok too) listed in the ingredients.
- Protein powder: unflavored pea protein and vegan vanilla protein powder work well, use your favorite!
- Cacao powder: gives the balls a rich chocolatey flavor and antioxidants!
- Pure vanilla extract: adds vanilla flavors that combine wonderfully with the other ingredients.
- Salt: enhances and balances the flavors - a little sea salt + chocolate & peanut butter = *chefs kiss*
- Water: helps the ingredients combine while blending in the food processor.
- Roasted and salted peanuts (for the crunchy peanut coating)
How to make no-bake energy bites
Soak your dates: add the dates to a bowl of hot water and let soak.
Combine ingredients: add peanut butter, protein powder, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and water to a food processor. Drain the dates and add them to the food processor as well. Pulse until smooth.
Roll into balls: scoop about a tablespoon of the mix out of the food processor at a time and roll into 1-inch balls. Repeat this until the batter is gone. The recipe yields about 17-20 balls.
Coat in crunchy peanuts: add peanuts to a reusable bag or shallow dish and crush the peanuts finely. Roll each ball until coated.
Chill: place into the fridge and let chill for at least 20 minutes. For a sweet and refreshing summer treat, chill and store the chocolate peanut butter energy balls in the freezer instead!
Scroll to the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions.
Variations & substitutions
Sweet crunch: add dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet mini chocolate chips to the batter. Alternatively, drizzle melted chocolate over the balls or dip and coat them before chilling. These are my favorite dairy-free chocolate chips.
🍫 You can also chop your favorite chocolate bar into small pieces and roll the bites into the chopped chocolate. Chocolove almonds & sea salt in a dark chocolate bar is a delicious option for this!
No protein powder? No problem! Replace it with flaxseed meal, hemp seeds, chia seeds, or a combination of the three.
🥜 Peanut butter is essential for achieving that rich peanut butter cup flavor, but feel free to substitute it with your favorite nut butter for a different flavor experience. Cashew butter or almond butter are great alternatives! Use sunflower seed butter or oat/granola butter for a nut-free option.
More vegan energy balls
If you love these peanut butter cup energy balls, try one of these recipes next:
- Easy Vegan Chocolate Coconut Date Balls
- Easy Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Date Almond Coconut Protein Balls
- Frozen Strawberry Shortcake Bites
Storing peanut butter cup energy bites
Peanut butter chocolate energy bites are the perfect make-ahead recipe as they store extremely well!
Store the bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. I highly recommend storing them in the freezer in the summer for a delectable frozen treat.
They also taste wonderful chopped on yogurt bowls, chia seed pudding, overnight oats, or dairy-free vanilla ice cream!
📋 Recipe
No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Energy Bites
Equipment
- food processor
- measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted about 6-8 dates
- ⅓ cup all-natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons protein powder*
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Crunchy Peanut Coating
- ⅓-½ cup salted and roasted peanuts, crushed
Instructions
- Soak dates: First, remove the pits from dates (if needed) and add them to a bowl. Cover them with hot water and set aside.
- Combine ingredients: add peanut butter, protein powder, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and water to a food processor. Drain the dates and add them to the food processor as well. Pulse until smooth (mine took about 20 seconds).
- Roll into balls: Using a tablespoon, scoop and roll the batter into ~ 1 inch balls. Repeat this process until the batter is gone, making about 16-20 balls.
- Crunchy coating: crush about ⅓-1/2 cup of peanuts in a reusable bag or in a shallow bowl. Roll each ball in the crushed peanuts until coated.
- Chill: Place in the fridge or freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the balls are set and chilled. Remove and enjoy as is or chopped on top of vegan vanilla ice cream, yogurt, overnight oats or chia seed pudding!
Notes
Made this recipe? Let me know how it went! Leave a star rating and a comment below - your feedback helps a ton!
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