The Best No-Bake Brookie Energy Bite Recipe

First and foremost, what is a brookie? It’s a nickname for a sweet treat that’s part brownie, part cookie dough. While it may seem like it really doesn’t get any better than that, it does, thanks to this energy bite recipe, which takes the soft, chewy deliciousness of a brookie and then turns it into a bite-sized, wholesome, and healthy snack or breakfast.

Made with creamy almond butter, rich cacao, and chocolate chips, these brookie energy bites are ideal as a grab-and-go option. Think of them as a less processed version of your favorite granola bars or a healthier alternative to traditional brownies and cookies if you’re working on eating a more balanced diet to support weight management. 

Read on for more about why we love these no-bake energy bites, and then scroll to the end for the recipe.

Here are just a few of the reasons we love brookie energy bites.

The Perfect Pick-Me-Up

Nutritious and packed with healthy fats, these no-bake protein balls are, as we mentioned, a great snack or breakfast option. Their combination of protein powder and nut butter offers a satisfying energy boost, making a brookie energy bite ideal for that mid-afternoon slump or as fuel before a workout.

Protein powder, in particular, can help build and maintain muscle when paired with strength training — an essential part of any exercise routine. If you’re looking for an alternative to your typical protein shake, this could be it.

Additionally, almond butter and some of the extra toppings (if you choose to add them to your energy bites!) also offer healthy fats, like omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids support metabolic, heart, and brain health, among a whole host of other things.  

Easy to Prep in Advance

Did we mention this recipe doesn’t involve any baking? The steps for these no-bake energy balls are simple: mix, chill, roll, and enjoy. 

The longest step in the whole process can be chilling the mixture if it needs to firm up a bit. But you can skip this step if it doesn’t seem necessary, and if you do some meal prep and plan one day of the week in advance, it’s not time-consuming at all. 

Once you’re finished making your energy bites, just store them in an airtight container for a quick grab-and-go snack throughout the week. They’re also an easy way to avoid skipping breakfast if you often find you run out of time in the mornings. 

Totally Customizable

Think of this energy bites recipe as a home base. With it as a guideline, you can spruce up your energy bites however you want to keep things interesting or meet various nutrient needs. 

Want to up the fiber and earthy flavor? Toss in some chia or flax seeds. Craving even more texture? Mix in granola or goji berries. The possibilities and combos can get as creative as your cravings.

Get to know the ingredients and optional additions ahead: 

• Nut butter. Almond butter is packed with healthy fats and is lower in saturated fats than peanut butter. Plus, its subtle flavor isn’t overpowering. That said, if you love how rich and flavorful peanut butter is, feel free to swap it in (just make sure to use creamy peanut butter). For a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter brings protein, magnesium, and antioxidants to the table, while coconut butter is a sweeter alternative.

• Protein powder. Protein powder is the secret sauce that helps keep you fuller for longer and gives these bites that energy boost. Vanilla is our go-to flavor for its sweet, mellow taste that pairs perfectly with almond butter, but chocolate works just as well if you prefer it. When choosing a protein powder, look for options with minimal additives. Plant-based powders (like pea or hemp) or whey (which contains dairy) are great choices for meeting your daily protein needs — just be sure to mix them in thoroughly to avoid clumps. 

• Vanilla extract. This pantry staple adds warmth and depth, giving your energy balls a subtly indulgent bite.

• Ceylon cinnamon. A pinch of cinnamon adds a comforting, aromatic touch that perfectly complements the other ingredients. 

• Pink Himalayan salt. An alternative to regular table salt, pink salt still does the job of enhancing and contrasting sweet flavors. That said, kosher or flakey salt works well, too, if that’s what you have on hand.

• Maple syrup. For a natural sweetener, go with Grade A maple syrup. If you’re cutting down on sugar, try allulose or erythritol maple syrup. Honey is another great option to swap in.

• Chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips add just the right amount of sweetness and crunch. For a less processed option, cacao nibs bring a bold, chocolatey flavor and grainy texture. A little goes a long way! 

• Raw cacao powder: A step above cocoa powder, raw cacao amps up the chocolate flavor and brings nutritional value to the table. 

And now, for some optional add-ons and mix-ins to inspire variations of this recipe as you make it again and again — the best part is that they’re all pantry staples with long shelf lives:

• Ground flaxseed. This ingredient boosts fiber and omega-3 content while helping the bites hold their shape.

• Chia seeds. By throwing in chia seeds, you’ll add more fiber, protein, and heart-healthy nutrients to your energy bites.

• Hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation while adding a subtle nutty flavor.

• Pumpkin seeds. These are larger than some of the other seeds you might add in and can be more intense flavor-wise, but they’re packed with nutrients like vitamin B3 (niacin) and magnesium. Plus, they’re lower in calories than hemp seeds.

• Dried fruit. Dried cranberries or raisins give energy balls a natural sweetness and chewy texture while also being high in fiber.

• Coconut flakes. Sweet and crunchy, coconut flakes are a great source of fiber, potassium, and iron. If you have time and feel like getting fancy, toast your coconut flakes before rolling them into your energy bites.

• Chopped nuts. Almonds, pistachios, pecans, or hazelnuts can add texture, flavor, and protein. Pair them with your choice of nut butter for a match made in protein heaven.

• Old-fashioned rolled oats. Fiber-rich oats will add a little bulk and texture to the recipe while offering essential minerals and B vitamins.

1. Gather your ingredients and supplies. You’ll need a baking sheet lined with parchment paper so the brookie bites don’t stick to the pan. It also helps to have a cookie scoop, though a spoon will do the trick. You can mix your ingredients manually in a bowl with a wooden spoon or whisk, but a food processor will make things a little easier (and less messy). You’ll also need one more small to medium bowl on hand.

2. Mix the ingredients together. Once you have everything set out, start by combining the nut butter, protein powder, cinnamon, salt, and maple syrup in a bowl or food processor. Mix until all of the ingredients are evenly blended. Pro tip: Add a little more nut butter for a stickier mixture — this can help keep the energy bites tightly packed.

3. Fold the chocolate into the batter. Move half the batter to a separate bowl. Fold the chocolate chips into one bowl and the cocoa powder into the other.

4. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator. Pop the two mixtures into the fridge for a few hours so they firm up, just like you would with cookie dough. This step makes shaping the bites so much easier, but you can also skip it if you want to.

5. Roll into bites. Once chilled, take a small wad of batter from each bowl and roll them together into one ball for a beautiful swirly combo. For this part, you can use your hands or a cookie scoop. Instead of forming your bites into balls, another option is to lay the batter flat in a baking pan and then slice the block into “granola bars.”

6. Enjoy now, or save for later. Snack on your energy bites right away, or store them for later. They’ll keep at room temperature for a few days, but to extend their shelf life even longer, stash them in the fridge. Just make sure to take them out a few minutes before you eat them so they aren’t too cold to bite into.

Servings: 24 bites

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw almond butter, drippy

• ½ cup vanilla protein powder (if you only have unflavored, add 1 tsp. vanilla extract)

• ½ tsp. Ceylon cinnamon

• ⅛ tsp. pink Himalayan salt

• ¼ cup Grade A maple syrup (or allulose or erythritol maple syrup)

• 2 tbsp. sugar-free mini chocolate chips

• 2 tbsp. raw cacao powder

Instructions:

1. In a bowl or food processor, combine the almond butter, protein powder, cinnamon, salt, and maple syrup, mixing until everything is smooth.

2. Place half of the blended batter in another bowl. 

3. Fold the chocolate chips into the batter in the first bowl.

4. Add the cacao to the batter in the second bowl, folding it in until the cacao is completely incorporated.

5. Roll out 24 balls from each bowl of batter.

6. Take one batter ball formed from each of the bowls and roll them together to form a single ball.

Here’s how the nutrition facts break down for these energy bites.

Kcal: 89

Total fat: 6 grams

Saturated fat: 1 gram

Trans fat: 0 grams

Sodium: 27 milligrams

Total carbohydrates: 6 grams

Dietary fiber: 2 grams

Total sugars: 4 grams

Added sugars: 0 grams

Protein: 4 grams