The 5-ingredient, high-protein snack I keep in my fridge at all times

It’s a dead-ringer for cookie dough.

Making My Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, Easy Swaps, Let’s Talk Macros, How To Make My 5-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, More High-Protein Snacks

Why Make This

  • These energy bites require just five basic ingredients and no baking at all.
  • You can easily customize the recipe with different nut or seed butters and add-ins.
  • The oat flour base creates a smooth cookie dough-like texture with lots of protein.

Sometimes I’m just having one of those days—running late to a workout class, rushing between meetings, running errands all afternoon—and I just need something quick and healthy to eat on the go. That’s why these easy, no-bake, five-ingredient energy bites are on constant rotation in my house. It doesn’t hurt that they taste like raw cookie dough!

Energy bites are a great substitute for granola bars or protein bars, which can be expensive and full of ingredients that are tough on the gut. I’ve replaced a lot of packaged snacks in my house with these energy bites because they’re more affordable, use ingredients I already have, and are customizable.

Making My Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, Easy Swaps, Let’s Talk Macros, How To Make My 5-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, More High-Protein Snacks

The recipe couldn’t be easier. These bites are made with almond butter, oat flour, maple syrup, vanilla, sea salt, and mini chocolate chips. Whenever I have a few minutes during the week, I mix all the ingredients in a bowl, form them into balls, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. You also press the dough into a parchment-lined loaf pan and cut them into bars or squares!

Easy Swaps

Any nut or seed butter will work for these energy bites. I like the subtle nuttiness and texture of smooth almond butter, which mimics the flavor of cookie dough more than something like peanut butter. But peanut butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter all work! I prefer nut butters that are only made with nuts and salt, as some contain palm oil, which makes the mixture thicker and much harder to stir.

Instead of using whole rolled oats, I love using oat flour. It gives the bites a smoother, cookie-dough like texture. You can buy oat flour or simply grind up rolled oats in a blender for about 20 seconds. Be sure to measure the resulting flour to make sure you have 1 cup before adding it to the bowl.

These energy bites are naturally gluten free and vegan if you use vegan chocolate chips. To switch up the flavor, you could easily add chopped toasted nuts, shredded coconut, or dried fruit.

Making My Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, Easy Swaps, Let’s Talk Macros, How To Make My 5-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, More High-Protein Snacks

Let’s Talk Macros

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to get more protein. Energy bites are more about getting a quick burst of energy, so protein isn’t the main macro here, but there are easy ways to increase the protein and reduce the sugar.

To reduce the sugar, you can use 1/3 cup each of maple syrup and chocolate chips instead of 1/2 cup. Each of these energy bites already has about four grams of protein from the nut butter and oat flour, but you can increase that by adding protein powder. I recommend replacing half of the oat flour with a vanilla or neutral-flavored protein powder. Add a tablespoon or two more oat flour if the dough is too sticky to roll easily with your hands.

Whether you’re looking for healthier snacks, need a quick burst of energy, or want an easier way to get more plant-based protein, these energy bites have you covered.

Making My Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, Easy Swaps, Let’s Talk Macros, How To Make My 5-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites, More High-Protein Snacks

To make 18 energy bites, you’ll need:

Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1 cup natural almond butter (or substitute peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed butter)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • Sea salt for topping, optional

In a mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and chocolate chips. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything together until well combined.

Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop to scoop a ball of dough into your hand (or measure out 2 tablespoons of dough). Use your hands to roll the dough into a ball. Place the ball on a parchment-lined plate or storage container. Repeat with the remaining dough. Enjoy as-is or top each bite with a pinch of sea salt.

Refrigerate energy bites in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

More High-Protein Snacks

  • Easy Fro-Yo Bark
  • Pickle Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
  • Zucchini Dip
  • Yogurt Clusters
  • Almond Butter Date Balls

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