Desserts
Peanut Butter Banana Energy Bites
Soft no-bake oat bites with peanut butter, banana, cinnamon, and miniature chocolate chips for a portable snack.
Inspired by No-bake oat energy bites
Prep
20 min + chill
Cook
0 min
Serves
8 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cooking Tools
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 9 ingredients
- • 1 small ripe banana, about 1/2 cup mashed
- • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- • 2 tablespoons honey
- • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- • 1 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- • 1/3 cup ground flaxseed
- • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- • 1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 1 small ripe banana, about 1/2 cup mashedMissing
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butterMissing
- 2 tablespoons honeyMissing
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extractMissing
- 1 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oatsMissing
- 1/3 cup ground flaxseedMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamonMissing
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher saltMissing
- 1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chipsMissing
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Method
Recipe notes
Banana size and peanut-butter consistency affect firmness. After chilling, add a spoonful of oats if the mixture is sticky or a teaspoon of peanut butter if it crumbles.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Store bites in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Because they contain fresh banana, do not keep them at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
Make-ahead tips
Prepare a full batch on the weekend and portion it into small containers. Frozen bites thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
What to serve with it
- - Cold milk
- - Apple slices
- - Plain Greek yogurt
Equipment needed
- - Large mixing bowl
- - Fork or potato masher
- - Tablespoon scoop
Difficulty explained
This is a simple stir-and-roll recipe; chilling and small consistency adjustments make shaping neat and reliable.
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Nutrition facts
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Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Dark chocolate
Use the same weight of 60-70% dark chocolate.
Plant-based butter
Use a firm, baking-style plant butter in the same amount.
Olive oil
For savory recipes, use 3 tablespoons olive oil for every 4 tablespoons butter.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- A large banana adds too much water and makes the bites difficult to hold together.
- Skipping the first chill prevents oats from absorbing moisture and leaves the mixture sticky.
- Peanut butter is a major allergen; a substitution is safe only when ingredients and preparation surfaces also avoid cross-contact.
Nutrition Context
- Peanut butter, oats, and flax provide unsaturated fat, fiber, and some protein in a compact snack.
- The bites are energy-dense, so a two- or three-piece portion works better as a snack than eating them freely from the container.
FAQ
Why are my energy bites too sticky?
Chill the mixture fully, then add oats one tablespoon at a time until it rolls cleanly.
Can I use quick oats?
Yes. The texture will be softer and more uniform, and you may need slightly less.
Can I freeze them?
Yes. Freeze in one layer, transfer to a container, and keep up to 2 months.
How can I make them peanut-free?
Use sunflower-seed butter and verify oats, chocolate, and all equipment meet the required allergen standard.
Do I need to bake the oats?
No. Rolled oats soften safely as they hydrate in the chilled mixture.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Cold milk; Apple slices; Plain Greek yogurt. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.