Energy balls are the perfect healthy, homemade snack for kids. To inspire you, here’s 20 of my favourite energy protein ball recipes that kids love.
As a mom of three young kids, I’m always on the look-out for healthy homemade snacks that my kids love. We often turn to energy bites or protein ball recipes, because they’re so easy to make and you can pack them full of nutrition.
I love finding interesting flavour combinations for energy balls (my favourites always contain chocolate), and unique uses for nutritious ingredients that I already have in my fridge and pantry (like quinoa and coconut).
Energy balls are great for a quick and nutritious snack on the go, or to add to school lunches (just make sure to use a nut-free butter).
I find that my kids love them (almost like a treat!), but they’re also filling and nutritious, which makes me feel good as a mom and registered dietitian.
When I make energy or protein bites I make sure to include protein-rich ingredients such as nut or seed butters, hemp hearts (these are my go-to), chia seeds, and protein powder (this one is my fave). And then I add a bit of sweetness with honey or maple syrup (and occasionally chocolate chips), and some sort of whole grain or flour such as oats, quinoa or coconut flour.
What makes these even easier to make is using good quality baking sheets with non-stick silicone mats. I have inserted links to the ones that I like to use! For many energy ball recipes, you need a blender or food processor. I love this one and use it daily!
To inspire you, here’s 20 nutritious energy protein balls that kids love!
1. Double Chocolate Oatmeal Energy Bites
By: Sarah Remmer, RD
2. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites
By: Sarah Remmer, RD
3. Almond Pistachio Cocoa Bites by: Amy Gorin, RD
4. Cinnamon Crunch Breakfast Protein Balls By: Lara Lynne, RD
5. Lemon Energy Balls by: The Lean Green Bean (Lindsay Livingston, RDN)
6. Thin Mint Protein Balls, by: Lara Lynne, RD
7. No-Bake Apple Peanut Butter Energy Bites By Chrissy Carol, RD
8. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Balls by Sarah Remmer, RD
9. Almond Choco-Cherry Chia Bites By: Christy Wilson, RD
10. 6-Ingredient Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites By: Chocolate Slopes (Krista Hegner, RD)
11. Protein Brownie Bites, by: Lara Lynne, RD
12. Gluten-Free Energy Balls With Quinoa and Coconut By: Abbey’s Kitchen (Abbey Sharp, RD)
13. 10-Minute Healthy Energy Bites By: Nourish Nutrition Co. (Rebecca Clyde, RD)
14. Peppermint Mocha Energy Bites By: Euphoria Nutrition (Charlene Pors, RD)
15. Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites By: Sarah Haas, RDN
16. Peanut Butter Banana Nut Energy Balls By Empowered Nutrition (Emily Holdorf, RDN)
17. Cranberry Orange Energy Bites By: One Hungry Bunny (Katie Pfeffer-Scanlan, RDN)
18. Chocolate Banana Nut Energy Balls By: Brittany Poulson, RDN, CDE
19. Raw Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Maple Pecan Cookie Dough Balls By: The Spicy RD (E.A Stewart, RDN)
20. Choco-Chia Protein Bites by: Sarah Remmer, RD
Double Chocolate Oatmeal Energy Bites & 19 More Energy Bites for Kids
These little bites are the perfect on-the-go energizing and nutritious snack that will keep you and your kiddos satisfied between meals!
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats (I used quick-cooking steel-cut oats)
- 1 cup peanut butter (or pumpkin seed butter if you're making for school)
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips into a food processor and process until well-blended.
- Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and add chocolate chips. Mix well.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place on parchment paper inside an airtight container.
- Chill and serve!
Notes
I like to roll and place on a baking sheet and freeze them right on the baking sheet. Once they're nice and cold and firm, I place them in a freezer-safe plastic ziploc bag for storage and just take one out at a time!
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![My youngest (James) has always been a small eater. He often just picks away at his supper meal, leaving most of it behind, but then devours his breakfast the next morning 🤷♀️ [AD]
I've never really been concerned, and I know that he's getting most of his nutrients by the end of the day or the end of the week😉. We practice the Division of Responsibility in Feeding in our house, so there's no pressure to eat any particular food or amount, but what I've been noticing is that his protein isn’t sufficient every day. He's growing fairly rapidly (he's 5), and I know how important getting enough protein is for growth and development (it's basically the building blocks of his body tissues), so for the first time ever I've decided it’s time for a nutritional protein supplement.
I still serve the same variety as I always do, and I don't cater to him or "sneak" anything into his foods 🙅♀️
I’ve made an effort to add more beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, higher protein dairy foods and now, a high quality protein powder 🥜🥛
I receive many questions from clients and readers about protein powders for kids, and my go-to is always ALWAYS "food first". But if you've noticed that your child's growth has declined or stalled (and if this is coupled with picky eating concerns) a nutritional supplement might be necessary, even if it's temporary. I've partnered with my fave kid's protein powder brand, @healthyheight , for a few important reasons, including the fact that it's both pediatrician-developed, and dietitian-approved 🙋♀️
This tasty protein powder is gluten-free, soy-free, lower in sugar compared to competitors and free from artificial colours and flavours. It's super versatile (we throw it into oatmeal, smoothies and baking), and it gives me some peace of mind knowing that he's meeting his protein requirements (1 scoop contains 12 grams of protein!). I've added a link to my bio where you can purchase, and am also happy to offer you a 15% discount on your first order with the coupon code SARAH15! 🥳
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I can’t wait to work my way through this delicious list! Thank you for pulling these together!!
My pleasure! I hope you enjoy!