🌱 Mini Protein Energy Bites
Mini Protein Energy Bites
Calories: 180 (per 2 bites)
Protein: 9 g
Prep: 10 min | Chill: 30 min
Serves: 6 (makes ~12 bites)
Ingredients
Rolled oats: 90 g / 3.2 oz / 1 cup
Vanilla or chocolate whey protein powder: 30 g / 1 scoop
Natural peanut or almond butter: 55 g / 1.9 oz / slightly under ¼ cup
Honey or maple syrup: 20 g / 0.7 oz / 1 Tbsp
Mini dark chocolate chips: 20 g / 0.7 oz / 2 Tbsp
Ground flaxseed or chia seeds: 10 g / 0.35 oz / 1 Tbsp
Cocoa powder: 5 g / 1 Tbsp
Vanilla extract: ½ tsp
Espresso powder (optional): ¼ tsp
Pinch of salt (⅛ tsp fine salt)
Unsweetened almond milk or water: 2–3 Tbsp (as needed to bind)
Directions
Toast oats (optional): Heat a dry skillet over medium; stir oats 3–4 min until lightly golden and nutty. Cool slightly.
Mix dry: In a bowl, combine oats, protein powder, cocoa, flaxseed, espresso, and salt.
Add wet: Stir in nut butter, honey, vanilla, and 2 Tbsp milk/water. Mix until dough-like; if crumbly, add a splash more liquid.
Fold & roll: Fold in chocolate chips and roll into 12 small balls (~25 g each).
Rest & chill: Let sit 10–15 min so oats hydrate, then refrigerate 30 min to firm.
Meal Prep Instructions
Batch for 3 servings (~36 bites): Oats 270 g (3 cups); protein powder 90 g (3 scoops); nut butter 165 g (¾ cup); honey 60 g (3 Tbsp); chocolate chips 60 g (6 Tbsp); flaxseed 30 g (3 Tbsp); cocoa 15 g (3 Tbsp); vanilla 1½ tsp; espresso ¾ tsp; salt ⅜ tsp; milk/water ~6 Tbsp (adjust).
Storage: Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months. They thaw in ~10 minutes.
Coach’s Tip
Roll finished bites in toasted coconut or crushed rice cereal for a light crunch — it gives truffle vibes without adding much to the macros.
🌱 Vegetarian / Plant-Based Option
Already vegetarian. Using pea or brown rice protein? Add +1 Tbsp milk/water and +1 tsp nut butter. For extra smoothness/sweetness, stir in 1 tsp honey or 2 tsp powdered sugar. Rest the mixture 15–20 min before rolling to hydrate the plant protein and remove graininess.