No Bake SunButter Energy Bites
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Last updated on Aug 20, 2024
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Made with rolled oats, sunflower butter and a little maple syrup these healthy no bake sunbutter energy bites are packed with flavor and kid-approved. They’re also nut-free so they’re school-safe!
I’ve been out of school for a few years (more than I’d like to admit), but I still enjoy back-to-school season. I was one of those kids who liked school so I think part of it is nostalgia.
But now when the school season starts I get the shop for my kiddos, new clothes and school supplies, and start thinking about packing school lunches!
For most families, the school-year structure requires more meal planning and meal prepping – especially if you’re trying to make sure the snacks and meals are healthy.
To help you out in this department, I wanted to share this super simple, kid-approved, school-friendly snack: sunbutter energy bites!
They’re made with homemade sunflower seed butter so are allergen friendly (nut-free, dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free) and perfect for a lunchbox treat or after-school snack.
Here’s What You Need
- rolled oats – make sure you grab certified gluten-free if needed!
- flaxseed – flax seeds are great sources of healthy fats, fiber and even plant-based protein!
- chia seeds – chia seeds are also high in healthy fats, fiber and plant-based protein!
- raisins – look for unsweetened raisins for a slightly sweet, chewy addition. Feel free to skip these or use a different dried fruit if your kiddo isn’t a fan of raisins. I bet dried cherries, cranberries or dates would be delicious!
- chocolate chips – I like using Lily’s chocolate chips because they are sugar-free.
- sea salt – just a pinch!
- sunflower seed butter – I made my own (here’s my sunflower seed butter recipe) but if you want to take a shortcut you can absolutely use store-bought! Just look for one without any added sugar or oils. If you don’t need these to be nut-free, any nut butter would work as well.
- maple syrup – one of my preferred natural sweeteners. You can totally skip this or use another liquid sweetener like honey or agave.
Involve Your Kids!
These energy bites are super easy to make – your kids could even help you out in the kitchen! You can put them in charge of measuring, dumping, stirring or rolling into balls depending on how old and independent they are.
These bites are sure to be a family favorite. Parents love them because they’re healthy, portable, school-safe and easy to make. Kids love them because they have raisins and chocolate chips so they taste like a real treat.
How to Store SunButter Energy Bites
You can store your energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. I like using glass storage containers or Stasher bags for storing. They’ll last up to 1-2 weeks in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.
Popular Kid-Friendly Snacks
- Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Almond Flour Muffins
- Baked Oatmeal Bars
- Healthy Zucchini Muffins
- Homemade Uncrustables
- Banana Sushi Roll Ups
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
SunButter Energy Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 Tablespoon flaxseed
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds or hemp seeds
- 2 Tablespoons raisins
- 2 Tablespoons chocolate chips
- pinch of sea salt
- ½ cup sunflower seed butter
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, raisins, chocolate chips and sea salt. Add sunbutter and maple syrup and mix everything together.
- Using a spoon (or your hands) combine the mixture thoroughly and roll into small balls. You should be able to make around 11-12.
- Store in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Raisins: Feel free to skip these or use a different dried fruit if your kiddo isn’t a fan of raisins. I bet dried cherries, cranberries or dates would be delicious!
- Chocolate chips: If you want to skip the chocolate, you can use more dried fruit.
- Sunflower seed butter: You could use tahini in place of the sunflower seed butter. If you don’t need these to be nut-free, any nut butter would work as well.
- Maple syrup: Feel free to skip this if you prefer or swap in your favorite liquid sweetener like honey or agave.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We make these once a week. My 7 year old loves them…and so do her friends! I always make them when we have playdates over and they are a hit.
WOO! This is amazing! I am so glad you are both loving this recipe and friends too! Thanks for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
These are perfect! I am always looking for quick, healthy and easy snacks for our toddler. We will see if she likes them I but I think they are delicious!
Ahh yay! I hope these are a hit. Thanks for giving these a try and for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Does this recipe use ground flax or whole?
Hi Julie – I would recommend ground flax in this recipe! Enjoy!
Hi, I got the sunflower seed spread from Trader Joe’s instead of the butter. Do you think it will work in this recipe? I want to make these for my KG kids lunchbox.
Hi Kamala – Yes, the sunflower seed spread should work just fine! Enjoy!
Absolutely delicious! Have a hard time not eating more than one at a time! I used a combination of almond butter and coconut butter.
YES! I understand that feeling, these definitely take some self-control to not eat the entire batch! Using a combination of coconut & almond butter sound delicious, thank you for sharing. I appreciate you coming back and leaving your review + star rating, thanks so much for being here!
Where do I even begin? First, school safe! Also, I love that unlike with other energy balls, I don’t have to drag out my food processor to whip these up. I literally cannot keep up with the demand for these in our kitchen.
So glad this recipe has been a hit!! Thanks so much for making it and for the review, Carla. I so appreciate it!
Love these!
So pumped this energy bites were a hit, Kate! Thanks so much for the review and star rating. I really appreciate it!
How many grams is half a cup?
Hey Marine – 1/2 cup rolled oats is about 45 grams and 1/2 cup sun butter is about 120 grams!
I An apple and almond butter, rice cakes with hummus, veggies and hummus, greek yogurt, and the wasabi peas at Trader Joe’s are some of my favorite snacks 🙂
I made these with my 5 year old last night and I was so thrilled when she gobbled them up as I rolled them out. She has already asked if I can make these for school. I see plenty of kisses in my future as we gear up for kindergarten!
PS: My fav snack from my childhood is what we call Poha – flattened rice sauteed with onions, potatoes and peanuts
Yay! I’m so glad that your daughter liked them and requested more for school! Sending her best wishes for an amazing school year.
I’ve never had Poha but it sounds awesome! Anything with potatoes and I’m in. 🙂