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’m new to the clean eating concept. Love your recipe ideas but frustrated that each one uses a different type of protein powder. They come in large quantities and cost over $35 each. If I were to buy one protein powder to use across most of your recipes, which one would you recommend??
I really appreciate your interest in my recipes, Sue! I’ve actually answered this exact question on my Protein Powder FAQ Page, and there’s a link to that FAQ Page in the Notes section of this recipe (located directly underneath the Instructions!). I know it can be easy to miss! 😉
For my “no bake” protein powder recipes, I use the plant-based protein powders on my FAQ Page. The first one I mention comes in a smaller size that’s only $17, and the second one I use is currently on sale for 25% off! (I’m not sure how long the sale will last, but that’s what I’m seeing at this exact moment in time!)
For my “baked” recipes (ie protein muffins or cookies), I generally use whey-based ones.
Hopefully that helps, depending on which recipes of mine you’d like to try (no bake vs baked)! 🙂
If you try making these energy bites, I’d love to hear what you think of them! (And before I forget, this same protein powder will work in all of my other energy bite recipes that call for rice protein powder!)
Since I don’t use oats because of of glyphosates, could I use coarse chopped almonds or maybe coconut flakes (or both)? Exchange Stevia for Truvia?
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe, Susan! I haven’t tried substituting anything for the oats, so I’m not sure and don’t want to lead you astray. The oats do soak up moisture from the mixture, whereas almonds and coconut flakes do not, so I’m not sure they’d be the best substitutes. You’re welcome to substitute stevia for the Truvia if you prefer! 🙂
I’d love to hear what you think of these energy bites if you try making them!
I LOVE the flavor of these! I used a whey based powder from IdealFit the flavor Birthday Cake. I noticed it was a bit gooey and sticky so I added a little coconut flour and rolled them lightly I’m coconut flour. They turned out GREAT!
I also used the Truvia/Sugar cane mixture instead of normal Truvia. I think I would use a little less poppy seed, but that is personal opinion. I think next time I will go for 1/2 tablespoon. Delicious idea! Thanks for sharing!
-Megan
I’m so glad you enjoyed these energy bites, Megan! I mentioned in the Notes section and on my Protein Powder FAQ Page that whey-based protein powders don’t work because they make the mixture too wet to set (I know it can be easy to miss!), but I’m thrilled to hear you found a way around that! Thanks for sharing your coconut flour tip. So good to know! 🙂
Made these this morning and I’m in love. I used whey protein powder and normal sugar instead of trivia and it still turned out great. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a healthy snack, especially for kids lunchboxes (my kids think they are desert). Thanks!
I’m so glad you and your kids loved these energy bites, Sonya! I’m honored that you’d rate this recipe 5 stars. That’s such a huge compliment — thank you!! 🙂 I really appreciate you including your modifications too. I always love hearing what recipe tweaks work!
Dear Amy :
Thanks so much for this recipe it’s so yummy!
your amazing recipe will always be in my heart. hopefully my future husband
will love these
thanks!
Alicia eide age 10
I’m so glad you enjoyed these energy bites, Alicia! Thank you for taking the time to let me know! 🙂
Dear amy
do you have any other energy bites with no
protein powder!!!!!
I’d love to here!
It means a lot that you’d like to try more of my recipes, Alicia! Most of my “energy bites” contain protein powder, but I have some cookie dough bite recipes that don’t, like my chocolate chip cookie dough bites and my oatmeal raisin cookie dough bites. I also have lots of other snack recipes that don’t use protein powder. (← You can find them at that link or by clicking on the “Recipes” tab in the top pink menu bar of my blog, scrolling down, and then clicking on the “Snacks” category.)
I’d love to hear what you think of any of my other recipes you end up trying too!
Hi Amy, would the balls not set if you used no protein powder but did more oats?
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe! It was specifically designed for protein powder. Since I haven’t personally tried that substitution, I don’t know how omitting the protein powder and/or replacing it with additional oats would turn out, and I really don’t want to lead you astray.
If you do end up making these energy bites, whether as written or experimenting with additional oats instead of protein powder, I’d love to hear what you think of them!