Healthy Snickerdoodle Energy Bites

 
While in 7^th and 8^th grade, my middle school concert band went to Disneyland for a special spring trip each year. We loaded our suitcases onto three charter buses, plus all of the larger instruments like tubas and timpani onto a trailer, and drove 6+ hours from our Northern California town to the Marriott hotel in Anaheim.  

Since we only performed a single concert in the theme park, we spent the rest of our two days running around from ride to ride, from the Matterhorn and Teacups to Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean to Space Mountain and Star Tours… And checked in with our chaperones at the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue in the center of the park every three hours too!

Although we had to pay for our own theme park tickets, Disneyland offered our band an extra $10 food voucher for every student on each day. For most energetic preteens, that barely covered the cost of an entrée and drink… But for the short and small kids like me who required less food and preferred water (which was free!), that amount easily paid for a full meal plus a dessert.
 

 
My friends and I almost always chose Pizza Port for our meals, a space-themed restaurant located in the far back corner of Tomorrowland. As a slightly picky eater back then, I opted for a humongous slice of plain cheese pizza (and as the least expensive option, it left me with the most money for my dessert!), and to this day, that pizza crust is the best I’ve ever had!

As I stood in line to pay for my slice, I very seriously contemplated my dessert choice. Jumbo-sized rice krispie marshmallow treats, decadent fudgy brownies, chocolate drizzled caramel apples…

But whenever I spotted them by the register, I always snagged a giant snickerdoodle cookie! Perfectly soft and chewy, covered in crispy cinnamon sugar, and at least the size of my hand… I slowly savored every bite of that sweet treat — and it gave me more than enough energy to run around the park for the rest of the afternoon!
 

 
Yet as an adult, I now try to incorporate some protein into my energy sources, instead of depending on cookies alone… And my body seems to appreciate that!

But to keep my sweet tooth satisfied as well, I compromised with these no-bake Healthy Snickerdoodle Energy Bites. They have the same cozy cinnamon flavor as those Disneyland cookies I adored, but they’re made with just 6 ingredients and have 12g+ of protein!
 

QUICK OVERVIEW – HEALTHY SNICKERDOODLE ENERGY BITES

Difficulty: Easy, including for many beginner bakers (or no-bake snack makers, in this case!).

Taste: Lightly sweetened with buttery background notes and lots of cozy cinnamon.

Texture: Very soft and moist with tender oats sprinkled throughout.
 

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY SNICKERDOODLE ENERGY BITES

Let’s talk about the ingredients that you’ll need to make these healthy snickerdoodle energy bites. This list is nice and short… Like I mentioned earlier, there are just 6 of them!

Protein powder. This is the base of your energy bites — and how you’ll pack so much protein into them! I love using vanilla-flavored protein powder because it creates a great basic backdrop and acts like a blank canvas. It’s much more versatile than other flavors!

I’ve also learned a lot from working with numerous protein powders over the years, and the most important lesson is that many brands and types of protein powder behave differently, both in baking and no-bake recipes. They’re not necessarily 1-for-1 substitutes for each other — or even interchangeable!

This recipe was specifically designed for PlantFusion’s vanilla bean protein powder. It’s a plant-based protein powder with very few ingredients, almost no fat or carbs, and a whopping 21g of protein per serving. Although you can find it in some health-oreinted stores, I buy mine online here, and you’ll use it in many of these energy bites recipes of mine too!

Note: It may be possible to substitute other plant-based protein powders, although they may require minor tweaks to the amounts of other ingredients to balance the ratio of wet and dry ingredients. However, do NOT substitute whey-based protein powders. They’re much less absorbent than plant-based powders. The mixture will be a sticky mess, and it will be impossible to shape the energy bites into balls. (See my Protein Powder FAQ Page for more details!)

Oats. I love using oats to make energy bites! They add fiber, and they also create a better consistency. I generally turn to instant oats (also called “quick cooking” and “one minute” oats). No, they’re not the ones that come in individual packets with flavors like apple cinnamon or maple brown sugar!

Just like old-fashioned rolled oats, instant oats only contain one ingredient: oats! The main difference? They’re smaller and thinner than old-fashioned rolled oats. This means they soften faster, which gives your energy bites a better texture, and they make the mixture easier to shape into balls too.

Tip: If you’d like to make your healthy snickerdoodle energy bites gluten-free, then use certified gluten-free oats. They work perfectly!

Milk. Milk acts like glue and binds together the ingredients. Almost any type will work, so feel free to reach for whatever you already have stashed in your fridge! I generally use nonfat milk and unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Both yield delicious results!

Tip: If you use dairy-free milk, then your healthy snickerdoodle energy bites will be vegan and dairy-free!

Sweetener. You’ll sweeten these snickerdoodle energy balls with one of my favorite ingredients: liquid stevia. Stevia is a plant-based, sugar-free, no-calorie sweetener that’s clean eating friendly, and it’s highly concentrated. You just need ½ teaspoon for this entire recipe!

This is the kind that I buy because I love its sweet flavor and don’t notice any strange aftertaste like with some other stevia products. You can find it at many health-oriented grocery stores, but I buy mine online here because it’s the cheapest price I’ve found. (You’ll use it in all of these other recipes of mine too!)

Tip: Many stevia brands and products have different sweetness levels, so they’re not necessarily 1-for-1 substitutes for each other. For the best flavor and texture, I highly recommend using the same one that I do!

Cinnamon. For that classic snickerdoodle flavor, you’ll mix in two main ingredients. The first? Cinnamon! It provides that oh-so-cozy spice cookie flavor.

Tip: If you’re a cinnamon-aholic like I am (I love it almost as much as chocolate!), I highly recommend Saigon cinnamon. It has a slightly stronger, richer, and sweeter flavor than the regular kind. Many stores now stock it, but I typically buy mine online here. It’s really affordable!

Butter extract. This is the second key ingredient that helps provide the iconic buttery flavor of snickerdoodle cookies. Just like vanilla extract, butter extract is shelf-stable and keeps for ages. It also comes in handy for other baking recipes (like these cupcakes, these bars, these cookies… plus all of these recipes of mine!). You can typically find it on the baking aisle along with the other extracts.
 

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY SNICKERDOODLE ENERGY BITES

With those 6 ingredients now lined up on your kitchen counter, let’s quickly go over how to make these healthy snickerdoodle energy bites. They’re very easy and straightforward — I promise! I also have some tips to make the process go smoothly.

One-bowl method. I love one-bowl recipes. They often result in fewer dishes to wash, which makes me one very happy girl! That’s true for these energy bites too. After mixing the dry ingredients in your bowl, you’ll make a well in the center (a baker’s shorthand way of saying “squash the dry mixture up against the sides of the bowl so there’s a big open space in the center”), pour in the wet ingredients, and stir everything together. Quick and easy!

Shape. This is the “hardest” part of the recipe. (Unless you count resisting the temptation to sneak spoonfuls directly from the bowl as taste tests…) The mixture will be soft and somewhat sticky after you combine everything together, so it doesn’t really “roll” into balls very well. Instead, gently squish it into spherical shapes with your palms and fingers.

Chill. Once you’ve shaped the energy bites into balls, just place them in an airtight container, and pop that into the fridge until you’re ready to eat them. And if a few magically disappear by finding their way directly into your mouth in the process? Well… I’ll be the first to admit that happened in my kitchen too!
 

FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY SNICKERDOODLE ENERGY BITES

Are these healthy snickerdoodle energy bites high protein, gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan, dairy-free, low calorie, low fat, or clean eating?
Yes — to everything! When made according to the recipe, these snickerdoodle energy balls are naturally high protein, vegan, dairy-free, low fat, and low calorie with no sugar. If you use certified gluten-free oats, they’re gluten-free too!

You’ve called them “energy bites” and “energy balls.” Which is it?
Either — and both! These two terms are interchangeable. Basically… They’re bite-sized snacks shaped into balls. Feel free to call them whatever you’d like!

Can I substitute another protein powder?
You can try another plant-based protein powder… But I can’t guarantee the results. You may need to tweak the amounts of protein powder, oats, or milk to achieve the correct consistency. However, I can guarantee that whey-based protein powder will not work. See the “Protein powder” header in the “Ingredients to Make Healthy Snickerdoodle Energy Bites” section above and my Protein Powder FAQ Page for more info!

What about old-fashioned rolled oats?
Sure — just pulse them in a blender or food processor first! This makes them closer in size to instant oats, so your snickerdoodle energy bites will have a similar consistency.

Can I use another type of milk?
Absolutely! Almost any kind will work, so feel free to try whatever currently sits in your fridge.

Or a different sweetener?
Yes! Just keep in mind that you may need to adjust the amount of milk depending on which one you choose. See the Notes section of the recipe below for more information!

I don’t have butter extract. Can I replace it with something else? Or omit it?
If you’re willing to buy some, I highly recommend it! Butter extract is what adds those iconic buttery snickerdoodle background notes. (You’ll use it in all of these recipes of mine too!) In a pinch, substitute vanilla extract. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be different — but your energy bites will still taste delicious!

My mixture is really dry. What should I do?
Add more milk! Pour in a little bit at a time, around ½ teaspoon or so, until you can incorporate all of the dry ingredients.

I had the opposite problem. Mine was too wet and sticky to shape. Why is that?
Did you substitute a different protein powder? That’s the most common culprit! To fix it, try adding more protein powder and oats until the mixture achieves a consistency that you can shape into spheres.

What’s the best way to store these healthy snickerdoodle energy bites? How long will they last?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for at least four days, if not longer.
 

 
Time for dessert a healthy snack! 😉 And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I’d love to see your healthy snickerdoodle energy bites!

Snickerdoodle Energy Bites

© Amy's Healthy Baking

Yields: 30 energy bites

This healthy snack tastes like buttery snickerdoodle cookies, which is perfect for Cookie Monsters like me! These easy no-bake energy bites are great for mornings, afternoons, or whenever you need a little pick-me-up. They’ll keep for at least four days, if not longer, if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

4.89 from 9 votes

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Ingredients 

• 3 scoops (90g) Plant Fusion vanilla bean protein powder
• ½ cup (50g) instant oats (gluten-free, if necessary)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup (180mL) nonfat milk
• ½ tsp liquid stevia (or adjusted to taste)
• ½ tsp butter extract (see Notes!)

Instructions

• Add the protein powder, oats, and cinnamon to a medium bowl, and stir until thoroughly combined. Make a well in the center. Pour in the milk, stevia, and butter extract. Stir until completely incorporated.
• Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
• Working with a small amount of the mixture at a time, shape into a ball, and place on the prepared baking sheet. (The mixture doesn’t roll very easily, so I recommend squishing it into a spherical shape instead!) Repeat with the remaining mixture. Transfer the energy bites to an airtight container, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

IMPORTANT PROTEIN POWDER NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: This recipe was specifically designed for PlantFusion vanilla bean protein powder. I buy it here. Many protein powders behave differently, especially when it comes to absorbing moisture. If you substitute a different plant-based protein powder, you may need to add more protein powder or oats if the dough is too wet -OR- more milk if the dough is too dry.

 

Do NOT substitute whey-based protein powder. The mixture will be too sticky to roll into balls and won't set properly.

 

For more tips, questions, and answers (including substitutions!), see my Protein Powder Recipes: Tips & FAQ Page.

 

OATS NOTES + ALTERNATIVE: I prefer instant oats (gluten-free, if necessary) because they’re smaller and thinner than old-fashioned rolled oats, which makes the mixture easier to shape and helps hold the mixture together slightly better. Instant oats are also called “quick cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They only include one ingredient — oats! — just like old-fashioned rolled oats. You can find instant oats right next to the traditional old-fashioned rolled oats at the grocery store. (They are not the ones in the small flavored packets of oatmeal!)

 

In a pinch, to make your own, add ½ cup (50g) of old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free, if necessary) to a blender or food processor, and pulse until they’re ⅛ to ¼ of their original size.

 

Do not substitute steel-cut oats. They don't soften properly.

 

CINNAMON TIP: I prefer Saigon cinnamon (I buy it online here!) because it tastes slightly stronger, richer, and sweeter than regular cinnamon. It's really affordable too!

 

MILK ALTERNATIVES: Any milk may be substituted for the nonfat milk.

 

STEVIA NOTES + ALTERNATIVES: Many stevia brands and products have different sweetness levels, so they’re not necessarily 1-for-1 substitutes for each other. For the best flavor and texture, use the same liquid stevia that I do. I buy it online here (← that’s the best price I’ve found!), and you’ll use it in all of these recipes of mine too. (It's one of my favorite ingredients!)

 

For sweeter energy bites, increase the liquid stevia by anywhere from ⅛ to ½ teaspoon, depending on how much sweeter you'd like them to taste.

 

If you strongly prefer to omit the stevia, substitute 3 tablespoons (45mL) of pure maple syrup, honey, or agave AND reduce the milk by 3 tablespoons (to a total of ½ cup + 1 tablespoon instead) to compensate for the added liquid volume. Alternatively, substitute 3 tablespoons (36g) coconut sugar or granulated sugar AND reduce the milk by 1 ½ tablespoons (to a total of ½ cup + 2 ½ tablespoons instead) to compensate for the added volume.

 

You can try substituting other sweeteners as well. You’ll need the equivalent of 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar (or more, if you prefer a sweeter taste). However, you may need to adjust the amount of protein powder or oats if the dough is too wet -OR- add more milk if the mixture is too dry.

 

BUTTER EXTRACT NOTE + ALTERNATIVE: I highly recommend using butter extract! It provides that classic buttery snickerdoodle taste. In a pinch, you can substitute vanilla extract, but keep in mind that the flavor will be different.

 

EGG-FREE, DAIRY-FREE + VEGAN OPTION: Substitute your preferred dairy-free milk for the nonfat milk. (I love unsweetened vanilla almond milk and unsweetened cashew milk!)

 

GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: Use certified gluten-free instant oats.

 

HOW TO STORE: Store these energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for at least 4 days, if not longer.

 

{gluten-free, clean eating, vegan option, dairy-free option, low fat, low calorie, sugar-free, high protein}

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?I'd love to hear what you think of it in a comment below! If you take a picture, tag @amys.healthy.baking on Instagram or use the hashtag #amyshealthybaking.

View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
 
 
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites
♡  Brownie Energy Bites
♡  Pumpkin Spice Latte Energy Bites
♡  Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites
♡  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars
♡  Apple Pie Protein Bars
♡  Peanut Butter Protein Bars
♡  Fudgy Brownie Protein Bars
♡  …and the rest of Amy’s healthy snack recipes!