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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!
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.
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.
More healthy recipes using leftover bananas
- Best banana bread
- Banana Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Flourless Banana Bread
- Flourless Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Watch the step-by-step video Below
Banana Energy Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut flour sifted
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sweetener of choice * See notes
- 1 medium banana about 1/4 cup mashed
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup peanut butter can use any nut or seed butter
- 1/4 cup milk of choice ** See notes
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips of choice optional
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
** 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
Pshh, who doesn’t love no bake and what is wrong with that person? Regardless, if it led to this recipe then I thank them! If it’s ok I’m featuring it on my Friday Favorites (www.chasingmyhalo.com). Keep them coming!
Hey Angie! Thanks for your kind words and for linking me- Would you able to use a small picture and not my long pin? Thanks 🙂
Hi I just found your recipe through pinterest I love these as a lunch box idea and no baking PERFECT!! My son’s have nut allergies so I’m thinking I will sub the nuts for seeds and the cashew milk for rice milk. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
OH yay! Thanks so much, Monique! Hope the little ones like it 🙂
Do you think it would be okay to use normal flour and milk? I love cashew milk, but don’t have any in my fridge right now..and I never have gluten free flour on hand.
Hi Hannah! I would recommend oats or ground oatmeal over flour- I find normal flour to be quite bitter and dry- Any milk will work 🙂
These are the best! I keep tinkering with the recipe. I use half almond flour and half coconut and double the recipe. I also use sunbutter instead of cashew. This is my second batch and I barely needed any cashew milk. In fact I didn’t use any for the first 12 balls and then the dough started to crumble. I probably put too many vegan chocolate chips and coconut flakes because these did not want to roll as I got to the end! They taste amazing though!!!! And helped me lose 5 lbs last week! Thanks vegan dude! p.s., I used unsweetened cashew milk and added a tablespoon of vanilla to cut the sugar. Heheh!
If I want to use real milk, is it a direct substitution, or would I use a different amount? Also, can I use all-purpose flour? Thanks.
Definitely use the same amount of whole milk 🙂 All-purpose flour, tends to give it a really gritty texture- Can you use rolled or quick oats? 🙂
OMG!!! These are amazing! I’m just a regular gal trying to cut out as much processed sugar as possible, but still trying to satisfy my ravenous sweet tooth. I saw this and knew I had to make them. I used regular white flour, 2% milk (only 2 TBSP), all natural peanut butter, honey and 6 packets of Splenda (which I probably didn’t need) and omitted the protein powder. I tested them on my 4-year-old daughter and she wasn’t happy when I only let her have two! She wanted to keep noshing. I will definitely be making these regularly as a healthy snack.
Alisha!!!! Thank you so much for your kind words and I LOVE it when recipes are kid approved- Seriously, they have the best tastebuds 🙂
Have a great day, Alisha and give the little one a hi 5 from me!
“I turned on my oven to make some roasted potatoes to go with some **seafood** I’d picked up at the store earlier that day”
“I then cursed ‘Anonymous’ (even though it was not their fault my face got the sauna treatment) and proceeded to eat my potatoes with my **chicken**”
Which was it? Seafood or chicken?
Hey there! thanks so much for picking that up- Beyonce’s picture threw me off ha! It was seafood (broiled salmon) Cheers!
i’m assuming that actual milk can be used instead of soy milk. Correct? These sound delicious!! I love “nana” bread, but would like a healthier option.
Hi Alisha! You are absolutely correct, you can use any milk of choice- Although add one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached! 🙂
You are so so awesome!! Just found your blog and I am obsessed!! Your photograph, writing style, and {obviously} your recipes are absolutely fantastic!!! *PS no bake recipes are my favorite;) Thanks for doing what you do!!
Thanks so much- This means a tonne! 🙂
I absolutely adore the no bake recipes, hit the jackpot stumbling upon your page! Mommy to 4 being able to whip up simple yet yummy and NOT so bad for you treats is wonderful, thanks and keep sharing 🙂
Cali, this comment absolutely made my day- That’s my goal- easy quick and healthy recipes 🙂
OK I made them this morning…mine are more like ummmm cookie dough LOL…not sure where I went wrong…but they still taste good!
Oh no! Sorry to hear that- It often can be attributed to the brand of protein powder or amount of liquid you use! 🙂
Holllllaaa at 40 No-Bake recipes. So not mad. And these banana babes…. *heart eyes*
Hahaha thank you, Natalie!