Cookies and Cream Energy Bites are the easiest way to feel like youโre snacking on Oreos while still feeling good. Just mix, roll, and enjoy.
Cookies and Cream Energy Bites
If you look up Cookies and Cream Energy Bites, youโll often find recipes that use crushed Oreos. But I wanted to make a version without the actual cookies, something a bit more nutritious!
So, I made my own โOreoโ crumbs that taste just like the real cookies but without all the extra stuff. Theyโre even naturally gluten-free!
Quick Tip
For gluten-free Cookies and Cream Energy Balls: Even though the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, make sure to double-check the labels to ensure they werenโt made in a place with gluten.
Energy Bites Ingredients
Hereโs what youโll need for the energy bites portion of this recipe:
- Old-fashioned oats: Use rolled oats not quick or steel-cut oats.
- Cashew or peanut butter: Choose a tasty, dry-roasted, and lightly salted version. If itโs natural, stir well before measuring.
- Salt: Adjust based on the saltiness of your nut butter.
- Chocolate chips: Use dark chocolate chips for extra flavor, but any type works.
- Coconut: Use unsweetened shredded coconut, unless you prefer a sweeter treat, then use sweetened.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a nice cookies and cream flavor.
- Maple syrup or honey: Use pure maple syrup or honey.
Homemade โOreoโ Cookie Crumbs Ingredients
Hereโs what you need for the โOreoโ crumbles:
- Oat Flour: Make it in seconds from old-fashioned oats you already have. (More below!)
- Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: This gives the Oreo flavor. Hersheyโs โSpecial Darkโยฎ is an easy-to-find option.
- Sugar: Use light brown sugar to cut the cocoaโs acidity, or coconut sugar for a natural option.
- Coconut Oil: Keep it solid, not melted, to mix well.
- Salt: Just a pinch brings out all the flavors.
How to Make Oat Flour
Hereโs a quick guide to making oat flour for the โOreoโ crumbles:
- Choose the Right Oats: Use old-fashioned or rolled oats, not quick or steel-cut oats.
- Blend: Place the oats in a food processor or small blender.
- Pulse: Blend until the oats are a fine powder that resembles flour.
- Check Consistency: Stir to ensure there are no whole oats left for even texture.
- Measure: Always measure your oat flour after blending for the right amount.
Cookies and Cream Energy Bite Tips
These energy bites are very flexible, and you can easily adapt them to your taste:
- Experiment with Nut Butters: Feel free to swap the nut butter for other kinds. If the mix is too dry or crumbly, add more nut butter one tablespoon at a time until it sticks together nicely.
- Let the Mixture Settle: If the mix seems too moist at first, let it rest so the oats can absorb the liquid and then the mixture will firm up. If itโs too dry, add a bit more nut butter and a drizzle of sweetener until youโve got the perfect consistency.
Storage
Storage
Enjoy some energy bites fresh, then store the rest in the fridge for the week or freeze any extras.
To Freeze:
- Place the bites on a lined tray in the freezer.
- Once firm (1-2 hours), move them to an airtight bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To Thaw:
- Take a bite out and let it sit for 15-30 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. Theyโre very hard when fully frozen, but you donโt need to thaw them completely before eatingโtheyโre tasty even when slightly frozen!
More Snack Ball Recipes:
Cookies and Cream Energy Bites
Cookies and Cream Energy Bites combine a familiar flavor with a burst of energy to make the perfect snack.
Video
Equipment
- Food processor 12-cup
Ingredients
โOreoโ Crumbles
- 3 tablespoons old-fashioned oats blended, see note 1
- 2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder see note 2
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons coconut oil measured when solid
Energy Bites
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup peanut butter or cashew butter, see note 3
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey, see note 4
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt see note 5
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructionsย
- To make Oreo crumbles, mix blended oats, cocoa powder, light brown sugar, salt, and coconut oil in a medium bowl with a fork, then knead by hand until small crumbs form. It will seem like itโs not coming together, but keep working at it! Adjust with more blended oats if too wet or more oil if too dry. Set aside.
- In a large (12-cup) food processor, pulse the old-fashioned oats and coconut until theyโre a fine consistency, about 30 seconds to a minute. Add peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and chocolate chips and pulse again until well combined and finely chopped.
- Adjust with additional nut butter and sweetener if the mixture is too dry, or add more oats if itโs too wet. (Oats will continue to absorb liquid as they sit.)
- Transfer to a large bowl, add the Oreo crumbles, and mix well.
- Scoop with a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, compress tightly, and roll into balls. Chill in the fridge for about 1 hour to firm up, then take out and enjoy!
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Blend oats in a small food processor or blender until powdery (like flour), then measure.
Note 2: Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a flavor similar to Oreo cookies. Donโt use regular cocoa powder.
Note 3: Stir natural butters well before measuring.
Note 4: Use pure maple syrup, not corn or pancake syrup. Otherwise, honey works great.
Note 5: Adjust the salt based on the salt content of your nut butter and personal preference.
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 1โ2 weeks. To freeze, place balls on a lined tray in the freezer until firm. Then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Thaw for 15โ30 minutes before eating, or microwave for 10โ15 seconds if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 183mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you use oat flour instead of blending oats into flour? Would work exactly the same?
Yes!
What can be used in place of the coconut oil?
I havenโt tested it with other oils, so I canโt say for sure, but Iโd guess most oils would work. Coconut oil adds a nice flavor, but Iโve had good results swapping it with avocado, olive, or vegetable oil. Hope that helps!
Can you leave out the coconut pieces if you donโt like them?
Sorry this recipe wonโt work the same without the coconut!
made these and they were so good! next time Iโll add the chocolate chips last and chop them up myself to have some crunch. thank you for the recipe!
Yay! So happy you liked these โ you are welcome! ๐