Banana Bread Energy Bites

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5 from 38 votes
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Banana Bread Energy bites are a healthy and delicious energy balls recipe that requires no baking! The perfect use for leftover bananas, these banana energy bites are completely vegan, gluten free, and paleo! 

banana energy bites

We love our energy balls and bites recipes around here. Our favorites include protein energy balls, chocolate coconut balls, and these delicious banana bread energy bites. 

Leftover bananas are something I snack on ALL the time, so why not enjoy them in energy bite form?

Now, these banana energy bites are a little bit different. They are made with no refined sugar and no dairy, but you’d never tell. They also are made without dates. Instead, we use a combination of coconut flour, syrup and peanut butter to give these energy balls their soft and doughy texture.

The taste has all the best bits of banana bread- banana flavor with bits of chocolate chips throughout! 

Not only are these a fantastic vegan gluten free banana energy balls recipe, but they are also made without grains, so completely paleo!

How to make banana energy bites

The Ingredients

  • Coconut Flour– Coconut flour is a low carb and grain free flour, that is super absorbent. When mixed with other ingredients, it gives these banana protein balls a cake-like texture! 
  • Salt– Brings out the sweetness! 
  • Cinnamon– Gives a lovely, light cinnamon flavor. 
  • Granulated sweetener of choice– You can use any granulated sweetener of choice. 
  • Banana– The riper the banana, the sweeter your banana bites will be. 
  • Peanut Butter– Smooth and drippy peanut butter. Try to use peanut butter with no added sugar or salt. If you have a peanut allergy or need to keep this paleo, use almond butter, cashew butter, or a nut free alternative, like sunflower seed butter.
  • Maple syrup– Not only does it add sweetness, if gives the banana bread bites the soft and doughy texture. You can also use agave nectar or honey if you aren’t strictly vegan.
  • Milk of choice– I used unsweetened coconut milk, but any milk will work.
  • Chocolate Chips– Optional, but highly recommended. Use a mix of mini chocolate chips and standard chocolate chips for some added texture. 

The Instructions

In a high-speed blender or food processor, or mixing bowl, add your banana and process it until it is smooth. Add the rest of your ingredients, except for your chocolate chips, and blend until a thick batter remains. If the batter is too thick, add a little extra milk. If the batter is too thin, add more coconut flour. Fold through the chocolate chips. Finally, using your hands, form small balls of dough and place on a lined plate or tray. Refrigerate the banana energy balls until firm. 

banana protein balls

Can I use oatmeal instead of coconut flour? 

If you don’t have coconut flour or prefer not to use it, you can use oatmeal or oat flour. You will need to add more than the recommended amount of coconut flour, so start with 1.5 times the amount, and add more as needed.

Can I add protein powder? 

Give these banana protein balls by adding protein powder to it. Add 1-2 scoops of your favorite vanilla protein powder, and adjust the amount of milk you add, as needed. 

NOTE: Avoid using whey protein powder, as it will make the banana protein balls difficult to form. 

Storing and Freezing Energy Balls

  • To store: Leftover banana bread energy balls should be stored in the refrigerator, in a sealed container. They will keep well for at least 2 weeks. 
  • To freeze: Banana bread bites are freezer friendly. Place leftover energy bites in a ziplock bag and keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

banana bread energy bites

More healthy recipes using leftover bananas

Watch the step-by-step video Below

banana bites

Banana Energy Bites

5 from 38 votes
Easy, delicious banana bread energy bites that take less than 5 minutes to whip up and require no baking! Soft and moist like classic banana bread, these no bake bites and naturally vegan, gluten free, dairy free and paleo- a delicious protein packed snack!
Servings: 16 Balls
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a high speed blender, food processor or mixing bowl, blend your banana until smooth. Add the rest of your ingredients, except for the chocolate chips. If your batter is too thick, add a little extra milk. If too thin, add more coconut flour. Fold through your chocolate chips.
  • Using your hands, form into bite sized balls and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to firm up.

Notes

* Erythritol, coconut sugar or any granulated sweetener will work. 
** Adjust milk accordingly- Depending on the flour or protein powder combination, you may need more- Especially with coconut flour.
Feel free to add protein powder to amp up the protein content. 1-2 scoops should suffice. 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1BallCalories: 94kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSodium: 40mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 4gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 8g
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

 

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. I love banana bread, but I love the idea of no bake banana bread more. And the addition of chocolate chips just takes this over the top. So, team chocolate, because chocolate+bananas=amazing.

  2. Everything you post…I wanna make. STOP IT!! Just kidding don’t because you are brilliant. I am such a snacker/healthy treats/indulgent treats everyday so your recipes are always right up my alley. Also my Monday has been craziness so therapy baking is happening once I am done with all the hoopla-business. These may have to make the list 🙂

  3. I haven’t turned the oven on in forever, although since we just turned the AC on today, there’s a chance we might use the oven this week. We shall see. Tonight’s dinner was leftovers from Saturday so all we used was the microwave. Score.

    I love anything and everything banana, bites and all.

  4. Anonymous can bite it because no bake is where it’s at, yo! Especially in the form of banana bread bites!

  5. Banana bread is the bomb.com. Thanks for making it into a no-bake form! Now I have use for all these bananas that are browning….

  6. You are definitely king of no bake and I think that is a good thing. Who wants to bake when its hot outside?! I think people who don’t have anything nice or constructive to say should back off. And these look delicious! I wonder what Anonymous will have to say…lol!

  7. I never turned off my oven – it’s been running all summer – what can I say – I like it HOT! 🙂
    Arman – I am loving the texture of these no bake banana bites! so what was the reasoning behind Anonymous’ was warning against posting any more no-bake recipes? I say you should guard these recipes and open up a no bake bakery and we will all be lining up!

  8. Lve your no-bake delights! Don’t you ever stop! 😉
    Banana bread is SERIOUSLY my favorite. I studied abroad in Sydney and the cafe’s there literally had the best banana bread I’ve ever had. I don’t know what it was, but holy crap so good.
    And I gotta go with TEAM CHOCOLATE <3

  9. Dear Arman, I must admit, not even this hot summer has kept me from turning on my oven! It’s nice to no-bake recipes to refer to however, no matter what time of year, especially when it comes to healthy snack foods like these banana bites. I thoroughly enjoy your recipes and posts, Arman. Keep up all the good & delicious work my friend. Take care, Catherine

  10. Greedy girl goes for chocolate and vanilla! I love cashew milk. It’s my favorite at the moment.
    Sometimes I wonder what these Anonymouses suppose to achieve with comments like that! Does that make them feel better? How very sad!
    On the other hand maybe I should say thank you to her/him because otherwise we wouldn’t have gotten this recipe 😉

  11. These no bake bites look perfect to make in this hot weather! Since I love coconut flour, I will try that version.

  12. I love no-bake recipes – especially this time of year! I love these little banana bread bites – what a genius idea!!