Name a more iconic duo than peanut butter & jelly. Impossible, right? There’s something about creamy peanut butter and sticky, sweet jelly sandwiched between thick slices of bread that just brings so much joy.
I have a few recipes on my site like this Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Bake and these creamy Peanut Butter Blueberry Overnight Oats that I come back to time and time again for their perfectly sweet, nostalgic PB&J flavor, so I thought why not turn this classic into easy, protein-packed energy bites?
These no bake peanut butter and jelly energy bites are made with creamy peanut butter and tons of strawberry jam flavor thanks to freeze-dried strawberries. I gave them a boost of whole grains from oats, healthy fats from coconut (so good), and protein from your fav protein powder. They’re naturally sweetened with Medjool dates, and I included a few fun ways to jazz them up as well (hello, chocolate drizzle?!)
Roll ’em up, keep them in your fridge or freezer, and get your snack on.
Everything you’ll need to make these PB&J energy bites
There are a few special ingredients that make these peanut butter and jelly protein bites taste like a real deal PB&J. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Medjool dates: I love adding dates to no bake snacks because they not only give them a natural sweetness, but they also help them stick together.
- Peanut butter: we’re using natural creamy peanut butter (just peanuts + salt!)
- Vanilla: a little vanilla extract brings out the natural sweetness in these bites. Learn how to make your own here!
- Oats: rolled oats basically act like the “bread” of the PB&J here. Use gluten-free rolled oats to keep the bites gluten-free.
- Coconut: unsweetened shredded coconut also helps the bites stick together and adds SUCH delicious flavor.
- Protein powder: we’re getting a boost of protein from vanilla or unflavored protein powder! I love this vanilla protein powder, or using collagen peptides. Be sure to use plant-based protein powder if you want to keep the bites vegetarian or vegan.
- Freeze-dried strawberries: the “jam” flavor in these PB&J protein bites comes from freeze-dried strawberries. So fun!
Optional ingredient swaps
There are a few easy substitutions you can make in these peanut butter and jelly energy bites:
- For the protein powder: if you don’t have protein powder or collagen peptides handy, feel free to use flaxseed meal or almond flour instead.
- For the peanut butter: I highly suggest sticking with peanut butter for that true PB&J flavor, but another natural, creamy nut butter would also work!
Can I use steel cut oats?
Unfortunately, no, I can’t recommend using steel cut oats instead of rolled oats in these energy bites. Steel cut oats are much harder and won’t get the energy bites the right texture.
Don’t forget to prep your dates
If your Medjool dates aren’t soft and gooey, soak them in warm water for about 5 minutes before adding them to your food processor with the rest of the wet ingredients.
PB&J energy bites in 3 simple steps
- Process the wet ingredients. Start by pulsing the softened dates, peanut butter, and vanilla in your food processor until the mixture is well combined and sticky, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Mix in the dry ingredients. Add the rest of the ingredients and process again until the mixture comes together. It might seem crumbly, but if you can squeeze the “dough” together it will roll up well.
- Roll ’em up. Roll the mixture into 12 equal-sized balls, and enjoy as is, or roll them again in some fun toppings below! Store them in the fridge or freezer for the perfect snack.
Fun ways to jazz up these peanut butter and jelly energy bites
Make these energy bites extra special with one of these add-ons:
- Roll them in extra finely blended freeze-dried strawberries
- Roll them in toasted shredded coconut
- Drizzle them with melted dark chocolate
Storing & freezing tips
- To store: keep these peanut butter and jelly protein bites in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: you can freeze these energy bites in a freezer-friendly bag or container for up to 2 months. If you’re eating them straight from the freeze I recommend letting them soften up a bit in the fridge or at room temp before doing so.
More no bake snacks you’ll love
- Peanut Butter Protein Cookie Dough Bites
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Lemon Poppy Seed Cake Energy Bites
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie
- No Bake High Protein Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Get all of my no bake snack recipes here!
I hope you love these easy peanut butter and jelly energy bites! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
PB&J Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted soft large Medjool dates (about 10-12 large dates)
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup rolled oats, gluten free if desired
- ⅓ cup fine shredded unsweetened coconut
- ¼ cup (about 1 scoop) vanilla or unflavored protein powder of choice (or sub flaxseed meal or almond flour)
- 1 cup freeze dried strawberries
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the dates, peanut butter and vanilla and pulse until ingredients are well combined and sticky, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times with a spatula, then process again.
- Add in the oats, coconut, protein powder and freeze dried strawberries and process again. The mixture may seem crumbly at first, but see if you can squeeze a little bit between your fingers and if it sticks, you should be able to form it into balls.
- Use your hands to roll 1 tablespoon balls of dough. If you choose to roll these in a topping, you can roll them in crushed or blended/finely processed freeze dried strawberries. Another option is to roll them into toasted coconut or even drizzle with melted dark chocolate for a sweet treat – up to you.
- Place in a reusable silicone ziptop bag and store in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. They’re actually delicious straight out of the freezer, too!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
8 comments
These look amazing! Can you please share what vanilla protein powder you use? There was no link to open. Thank you! I live SOOOO many of your recipes!
YES thank you — just added! I love this brand 🙂 so happy to hear you’re loving the recipes here!
Ooooh we love your energy bite recipes and will definitely try making these on the weekend! Can’t wait!!
PS please make an energy ball recipe that’s fig-chocolate or an orange creamsicle variety. We love the key lime and lemon poppyseed energy bites and an orange flavored one would be divine! Have also been on the hunt for a choc-fig EB but can’t find a good recipe so far. Over to you, Monique!!!
So glad you’re loving them! And YES to anything orange – both of those flavors sounds delish. Adding them to my ideas list!
I can’t believe how much these taste like a PB+J sandwich! My PB+J obsessed four year old can’t get enough of them, and we had lots of fun making them together. I thought they’d be too crumbly to form into balls, but like the recipe said they were perfect. I only had a combo of freeze dried strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries so I used those and they came out great. I’ll definitely be making them again!
So good!! Glad they’re a hit with your kiddo!
I was so excited to make this, but unfortunately I couldn’t form any balls since the dough was way too loose. I tried adding more peanut butter in hopes it would make a glue, but it still didn’t work.
Sorry to hear that! So strange – next time try adding more of one of the “dry” ingredients (protein powder would work well, or the oats or coconut).