Guess what, guess what!
No, it isn’t my birthday… No, Santa Claus didn’t fall down my chimney… No, the sky isn’t falling…
In exactly one week, baseball season starts!
I love baseball as much as baking (maybe even a touch more… shh, don’t tell my recipes that!), so this is my favorite time of the year. The sun shines a little longer, the air feels a little warmer, the grass grows a little taller, and the stadium gates open for the first time since October. Happy days!
Although my dad and I are just 8 stadiums away from completing our MLB ballpark tour (we started the list when I was 11 as a special father-daughter adventure!), my parents bought season tickets again this year, so nearly every other weekend, you’ll find me in my home-away-from home above the visitor’s dugout, in the dark green stadium seats even with the bag at third base.
Before every game, I stuff my oversized purse with the essentials: sunscreen, water bottles, hair ties, pencils, my scorebook, and snacks. Since Dad and I always arrive at the ballpark extremely early to watch batting practice, the entire outing lasts 6-8 hours, depending on whether the game heads into extra innings, so I pack as much food as I can carry!
Even though concession stands circle around the entire stadium on both levels, their healthier options are extremely limited. Dad doesn’t mind chowing down on loaded sausages or BBQ brisket, but me… I prefer fruit, veggies, and leaner protein. These lemon poppy seed energy bites are one of the best homemade ballpark snacks for me!
And not just because they’re yellow-themed, like my home team’s colors. Each serving boasts over 17 grams of protein and less than 150 calories! How’d I do it?
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE LEMON POPPY SEED ENERGY BITES
Simple: my favorite vanilla protein powder from PlantFusion. It’s gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan, and clean-eating friendly — so these lemon energy balls are all of those things too! I haven’t tested the recipe with other protein powders, so you may need to tweak the ingredients if you use another brand. Not all protein powders absorb equally. If the bites seem too wet, add extra protein powder. If they’re too dry, add a touch more water.
Tip: I’ve shared lots more about working with and substituting protein powders on my Protein Powder FAQ page!
While the protein powder makes up the majority of the dry ingredients, you’ll also add some oats to provide a little chew and heartier texture. Use gluten-free oats for gluten-free energy bites, if necessary. And don’t forget the poppy seeds in your dry ingredients either!
To add a touch of sweetness, I mixed a small amount of Truvia into these lemon energy balls. It’s a granular zero-calorie sweetener that’s completely sugar-free. This recipe is easily adaptable though, so you’re welcome to try substituting your preferred sweetener! I’ve shared tips about how to do that in the Notes section of the recipe.
The bites are held together with equal amounts of freshly squeezed lemon juice and water. That’s almost too easy, isn’t it? No nut butters, no nuts, no chia seeds, no coconut oil — just lots of lemon juice. It provides some of the bright sunshiny flavor, but the lemon zest adds the majority. Don’t skip it! The zest from one medium lemon goes into the mix, and if you prefer a really tangy taste, go ahead and add the zest from a second one too.
HOW TO MAKE LEMON POPPY SEED ENERGY BITES
These no-bake lemon energy bites are incredibly easy to make. The “hardest” part is measuring the ingredients — or not sneaking multiple taste tests straight from the bowl!
First, mix together the dry ingredients. Next, pour in the water and lemon juice. Stir everything together until fully combined, gently shape into spheres, and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat. Yup, that’s all there is to it!
Tip: The mixture tends to be a bit sticky and moist, so you may need to lightly “squish” it into a ball-like shape, rather than rolling it between your palms like cookie dough.
Now just 7 days and 6 recipes to test for my cookbook until I can enjoy these energy bites during long, lazy afternoons at the ballpark!
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 lemon poppy seed energy bites!
Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 3 scoops (90g) PlantFusion vanilla bean protein powder (see Notes!)
- ½ cup (50g) old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free, if necessary)
- 1 tbsp (9g) poppy seeds
- ½ tbsp (7g) Truvia
- 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest (about one medium)
- 6 tbsp (90mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about two medium)
- 6 tbsp (90mL) water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combined the protein powder, oats, poppy seeds, Truvia, and lemon zest. Add in the lemon juice and water, stirring until fully incorporated. Shape the mixture into 28 small spheres, and place into a Tupperware container. Seal and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Notes
View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡ Dark Chocolate Strawberry Energy Bites
♡ Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
♡ Chocolate Fig Energy Bites
♡ Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Muffins
♡ Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Cookies
♡ …and the rest of Amy’s high protein energy bite recipes!
I made these exactly according to the recipe ingredients and directions and the texture turned out great as far as being able to shape them into balls, they looked just like the picture (so if your problem is they’re falling apart, I’m you substituted an ingredient that didn’t mesh). That said – these were vile. I wish I’d listened to all the other reviews that said how bad the taste was. It was literally like eating a spoonful of damp protein powder, the consistency was chalky and horrible. I only got 19, i don’t know how you could get 28 unless you make them marble sized. But now I have 19 gross protein balls made with a pretty expensive protein powder, I’m really disappointed, might just throw them in with smoothies and hope the smoothie masks this taste.
That sounds really disappointing Kelsey. Did you use the same protein powder that I listed in the Ingredients? Not all protein powders have the same consistency or level of sweetness, so the recipe generally needs to be adjusted if you substitute something other than the exact protein powder listed.
Unsure, if anyone asked this yet, I was reading the comments first to try and find an answer. My question is about a non protein powder or gluten free or wheat free substitute (GF is different then WF)? Thank you.
I’m not entirely sure of what you’re asking. These energy bites are gluten-free, if you use certified gluten-free oats like these. There isn’t a good substitute for the protein powder. It’s a necessary ingredient, but you can try using different plant-based powders rather than I one I explicitly call for, knowing that you’ll probably need to tweak the amounts of other ingredients. I’d love to hear what you think if you try the energy bites! 🙂
I just made these and put in the fridge to chill. I thought it would be ok since you said we could use any kind of plant-based protein as long as we change the liquids to create the right consistency which I did. I tasted before going in fridge and tasted pretty tangy and gross. Used Perfect Fit plant-based protein. If you can’t use other proteins, you shouldn’t say you can especially when it’s so expensive and will just go in the trash. I wouldn’t have wasted my time and money if you didn’t say we could substitute any plant-based protein.
That sounds disappointing Amy. However, I didn’t actually say that any plant-based protein would work. Recipes always work the best when using the exact ingredients listed. If you’re able to get the same protein powder that I called for, the energy bites will taste just like lemon poppy seed muffins! 🙂
Sorry but these were awful. I made 2 batches and neither actually worked. Bummer. Protein powder is way to expensive to end up down the drain. It was very “soupy”.
Did you use whey protein powder, Brandy?
I just placed on order of the protein powder used in this recipe specifically to make these. (after reading all the comments I did not want to take a chance) Looking forward to make these. I love lemon and they look so good. Do you know were to buy truvia? Is it the same as stevia?
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe Rosa! Most grocery stores carry Truvia on their baking aisle near the regular granulated sugar. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of these energy bites!
I just made them after my protein powder came in. I really wanted to like these, not only because I love poppy seed lemon muffin but also because I consume a crazy amount of protein powder and my blender broke last week. So this seemed super ideal.
I however am disappointed in the results:( I figured all the negative reviews were because people did not use the right protein powder so I specially bought the protein powder that you recommended. I did not use truvia after finding out it is a sugar alcohol (my tummy does not do sugar alcohols:( ) so I subbed it for honey. First I did one table spoon of honey (since I know truvia and stevia is supposed to be a lot sweeter than sugar and honey) mixed everything (used less water to keep the consistency) and tasted it. It was way too soury (and I like sour). I put in more honey and tasted it and more honey. After 4 table spoons of honey I switched to maple syrup. After two of those I could finally stomach the sour (although still very very bite into a lemon feeling) however the after taste was the most gross chalky powdery fake sweet (not like crap ton of honey and syrup sweet but like cheap gross sweeter sweet) I have ever tasted. I really think that it is the protein powder. The consistency still worked and I have now 12 little balls in my fridge that I am hoping my boyfriend will eat (he is the type of person that will eat a lemon by itself so I know he loves sour stuff) and that maybe it is just a personal taste. But I really did not like them and they tasted nothing at all like poppy seeds lemon muffin.
I truly appreciate your interest in my recipe Rosa! It could very well be that you’re more sensitive to the taste of this protein powder than others. Truvia is stevia, not a sugar alcohol… So I’m not quite sure where you found that info about it being a sugar alcohol! Also, what type of lemons did you use? Regular generic? If so, then I highly recommend trying Meyer lemons instead! They’re sweeter and may be more to your liking. 🙂
Hi Amy, I just finished reading every review on this particular recipe. It will not stop me from trying them since I have had success with every one of your recipes. As you probably know by now, I always provide honest reviews. I will purchase the same protein powder listed in your recipe and I will post another message after we try them!
You’re the BEST — thank you so much Carmelina!! I’m honored that you’d consider trying these and purchase the same protein powder. 🙂 I’ve had the best luck with Meyer lemons, if you’re able to find those! They’re a bit sweeter than regular lemons, and their bright flavor makes these energy bites taste incredible! 😉 I can’t wait to hear what your family thinks of these too!!
Ohhhhhhhhhh I wish I can find Meyer lemons in Canada!! My search has always turned up empty. Oh well….regular lemons it is LOL!
Aww bummer!! My parents have a Meyer lemon tree, so I’m totally spoiled. 😉 I hope you love these Carmelina!
Hi there,
I was just entering this recipe in a calorie counter I have and I’m confused about the oats. It says 1/2cup (50grams) but 1/2 is 170g. Can you confirm how much to use?
Not trying to rip apart your recipe! I really want to try this and just keep myself accountable.
Thanks!!
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe Stevie! Are you using raw oats or cooked/prepared oatmeal in your calorie counter? That would make a big difference in the weight but not the nutrition info if the oats were prepared with water! 😉 So use 50g of raw/uncooked oats and the same protein powder, and you’ll be good to go! 🙂
I also didn’t see the note about whey protein powder until after the fact, so mine were pretty sticky. I used a cookie scoop and then rolled them in more protein powder to make them a little drier/not so sticky, which worked well enough. The taste though is really yummy! However how in the WORLD did you get that many balls out of this recipe?! I got 13 and they’re not very big!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the flavor of the energy bites Whitney! That’s a great idea to roll them in more protein powder so they’re not as sticky. 🙂 If you use the same plant-based protein powder as I do, it really bulks up the mixture, which yields more energy bites that are still a decent size!
What are the nutrition facts? How many fat, carbs, and protein exactly per ball?
The full Nutrition Information for all of my recipes is actually included directly beneath each recipe! It can be easy to miss. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of these energy bites Brenda!
Thanks! If I’m on a Keto diet and cannot have this much net carbs, how can I modify the recipe so I can still try this out? I’m very excited to try but the carbs are a bit high.
You can try decreasing the oats, but the energy bites may fall apart more because the oats help hold them together. I’m excited to hear what you think if you try these Brenda! 🙂