Are you ready for the simplest breakfast/dessert recipe in the world? As a lover of all things peanut butter, I’m pleased to present you with these peanut butter energy bites that are crazy simple and seriously delicious.

These breakfast bites are:

• vegan

• protein dense

• gluten free

• sugar free

• healthy

• delicious

• easily customizable

While I do love morning oatmeal as much as the next person, I don’t always want to cook, or worry about dragging along my glass container and spoon. Sometimes you want to just pop something satisfying and yummy into your face and hit the road.

If you’re looking for a fast and healthy recipe to jump start your morning (or even honestly eat as a post dinner snack like I did), go no further. I used whole oats in my breakfast energy bites, but you can also opt for oat flour or even almond flour to make these quicker and able to be mixed without a blender or food processor. All you need is a mixer, and you’re good to go. These cookies are moist, and store really well in lidded containers for on the go snacking.

How to Make to Bake Energy Bites

Directions

Pulse old fashioned or quick cook oats in the food processor until they form a flour. If you don’t have a food processor, just mix with the other ingredients for a more textured cookie. Please note, steel cut oats are not for cookies. I have learned this the hard way. They’re delicious when cooked, but raw is not the answer, my friend. I made cookies with steel cut oats a while back, and even after cooking for 8-10 minutes, felt the grit of those damn oats. It was like I was chewing gerbil food. I suppose you could use them if you soak them or cook in a pan with water first, but I haven’t tried that method. You’d have to sub in a little extra flour to keep these from being so mushy they fall apart.

Anyway, blend in peanut butter, cinnamon, and maple syrup. At this point, I blended in protein powder for an added boost. As you know, I’m a huge fan of Nuzest protein powders because they’re tasty, and honestly keep me fueled and feeling full for the better part of a day. I used the vanilla protein powder, which you can check out here. You can get 15% off your order with code chickpeaandherb at check out if you’re interested in seeing what they’re all about.

Mix in the food processor or with a hand mixer, and then separate the dough if you’d like to do half chocolate chips and half raisin.

Stir in chocolate chips, then roll into a ball. Repeat with raisins for the other half, or use either chocolate chips or raisins for the entirety of the dough. That’s it, you’re ready to enjoy!

Substitutions:

• Use almond butter or cashew butter if you have a peanut allergy or just prefer them over standard peanut butter.

• Sub in coconut flakes or something else with a crunch if you’re not a fan of chocolate chips or raisins.

• Flatten this dough out onto a sheet pan, and melt you chocolate chips in a double boiler. Pour over top, and let harden in the fridge. Voila, no bake peanut butter chocolate breakfast bars!

• For even less sweetness, cut the maple syrup in half and sub in coconut oil. It keeps the energy bites moist without adding any natural sugars like the maple syrup does.

Storage & Applications

These cookies will stay good for up to a week in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat them as is, or on your favorite yogurt bowl or smoothie for extra protein.

For More Easy Recipes:

As always, if you make these easy protein balls, tag me on Facebook or Instagram, and let me know how it goes! You can also check out my Pinterest page for more easy breakfast inspiration and even some desserts that can pass for a breakfast just like these.

If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite quick breakfast and dessert recipes to match! See some of my favorite recommendations below:

Breakfast:

• Protein Coffee Cake Muffins

• Easy, Healthy Strawberry Crumble Bars

• Chia Pudding with Mango

Desserts:

• Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes with Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Frosting

• Lemon Poppyseed Loaf with Blood Orange Glaze

  And don’t forget - if you’d like to checkout Nuzest’s protein powder, use code chickpeaandherb for 15% off!