Rainbow Energy Bites (No Bake + Kid-Approved!)
These colorful no bake energy bites pack wholesome ingredients and fun rainbow mix-ins into perfectly poppable snacks that’ll have both kids and adults reaching for seconds. Ready in just 45 minutes with zero oven time required!
The Dish Details
- What makes it special: Y’all, these energy bites are basically happiness rolled into little balls! Creamy peanut butter, sweet honey, hearty oats, and gorgeous rainbow mix-ins create the most satisfying texture – slightly chewy, smooth, and rich with bursts of sweetness and color. The best part? They’re completely no-bake, so no heating up your kitchen or waiting for oven timers. A wholesome alternative to highly processed snacks that actually tastes like a treat!
- What are we celebrating? Perfect for lunch boxes, road trips, hiking adventures, or those 3 PM energy crashes. (🖐️ Guilty!) These bite-sized treats work beautifully for playdates, potlucks, or weekly snack prep. Kids love the colorful mix-ins, adults appreciate the satisfying combination of real ingredients – it’s a win-win for everyone!
Gather Your Ingredients
Let’s talk about what goes into these little powerhouses – and trust me, you probably have most of this stuff hanging out in your pantry right now!
- Old-fashioned oats – We’re going with the hearty, textured oats here because they hold everything together beautifully and give us that satisfying chew.
- Creamy peanut butter – The binding superstar of this recipe! I always reach for organic no-stir peanut butter because, well, I always make a mess with natural nut butters.
- Honey – Our natural sweetener that also helps everything stick together. The floral notes pair beautifully with the peanut butter, creating sustained energy without the crash that comes from processed sugars.
- Ground flax seeds – These add omega-3s, fiber, and a subtle nutty flavor while helping bind everything together naturally. You can find them pre-ground or grind your own.
- Vanilla extract – Just a teaspoon, but it makes all the difference in rounding out the flavors.
- Cinnamon – A warm spice that makes everything taste a little more special and pairs perfectly with the other flavors.
- Sea salt – This might seem like a tiny amount, but it enhances all the other flavors and prevents these from tasting too sweet.
- Rainbow mix-ins – Here’s where the magic happens! Mini M&Ms for that pop of chocolate and color, dried cranberries for tartness, shredded coconut for tropical vibes. Mix and match based on what you love or what you have on hand.
Let’s Get Rolling
Time to create some edible rainbow magic! This process is so simple that kids can totally help – and they’ll love getting their hands involved.
- Mix the dry ingredients – In your largest mixing bowl, combine the oats, ground flax seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Give everything a good stir so the spices are evenly distributed throughout.
- Mix the wet ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until the mixture is completely smooth. (Pro tip: if your peanut butter is particularly thick, you can warm it slightly in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to make mixing easier.)
- Combine + add the mix-ins – Pour peanut butter mixture into your dry ingredients and mix everything together until it’s well combined. Here comes the fun part – fold in your rainbow mix-ins! I like to add them gradually so they distribute evenly throughout the mixture. Pop the whole bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. This chilling time is crucial – it firms up the mixture and makes rolling so much easier. Trust me on this one!
- Scoop + roll the energy bites – Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon measure, portion out the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls with your hands. If the mixture sticks to your hands, dampen them slightly with water. Store your energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for up to a week, though I bet they won’t last that long!
Pro Tips for Energy Bite Success
- Customize your rainbow – Feel free to swap in whatever mix-ins make your heart happy. Chopped dried fruit, seeds, different types of chocolate chips, or even crushed freeze-dried berries all work beautifully.
- Make them nut-free – Substitute sunflower seed butter or wow butter for the peanut butter to make these allergy-friendly for school lunch boxes.
- Double the batch – These freeze incredibly well! Make a double batch and freeze half for later. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Get the kids involved – This is such a perfect recipe for little hands. Let them help measure, mix, and especially roll the balls. They’ll be so proud of their colorful creations.
Helpful Recipe Tips
The key to perfect energy bites is getting the consistency just right. If your mixture feels too dry and won’t hold together, add a tablespoon more honey or peanut butter. If it’s too wet and sticky, add more oats or ground flax seeds.
Don’t skip the chilling time! I know it’s tempting to start rolling right away, but that 30-minute rest in the fridge makes all the difference between perfectly shaped balls and a sticky mess.
Store these in a single layer if possible, or separate layers with wax or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
Variations + Substitutions
- Chocolate lovers – Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and increase the honey slightly for chocolate energy bites.
- Tropical twist – Use coconut extract instead of vanilla and load up on shredded coconut, dried pineapple, and macadamia nuts.
- Protein boost – Add a scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder and adjust the liquid as needed.
- Seasonal fun – Swap out the rainbow mix-ins for holiday-themed options like red and green M&Ms for Christmas or orange and black for Halloween.
Storing + Make Ahead Options
These energy bites with peanut butter are the ultimate make-ahead snack! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, flash freeze them in a single layer, the transfer to a freezer-safe container and store them in the chiller for up to 3 months.
They’re actually even better after a day or two in the fridge because all the flavors have time to meld together. Perfect for meal prep situations!
More Recipes to Try
Looking for more no-bake treats? Check these out!
These rainbow energy bites prove that better-for-you snacking doesn’t have to be boring! Whether you’re packing lunch boxes, prepping for busy weeks, or just want something colorful and delicious on hand, this energy bites recipe delivers every single time. The combination of wholesome ingredients and fun mix-ins creates the perfect balance of real food goodness and pure joy.
What’s your favorite mix-in combination for energy balls? Drop a comment below and let me know how you made these rainbow bites your own! And if you make this recipe, I’d absolutely love to see your colorful creations – tag me on social media so I can share in the rainbow energy bite excitement!
Rainbow Energy Bites (No Bake + Kid-Approved!)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter, seed butter or other nut butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup rainbow mix-ins, combination of: mini M&Ms or chocolate chips, dried cranberries/blueberries, shredded coconut, etc.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix oats, ground flax seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Fold in your chosen rainbow mix-ins.
- Refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch balls (using a tightly packed 1 tablespoon measure or scoop).
Notes
- Customize – Feel free to swap in whatever mix-ins you like. Chopped dried fruit, seeds, different types of chocolate chips, or even crushed freeze-dried berries all work beautifully.
- Freeze – These freeze incredibly well! Make a double batch and freeze half for later. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Storage – Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Nutrition – Is only an estimate and is based on mini m&m’s, dried cranberries and unsweetened shredded coconut. It will vary based on the products and mix-ins you choose.
- For additional tips and variations, please see the main post.
Nutrition
Pin For Later! Rainbow Energy Bites Recipe
