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Making these energy bites for kids couldn't be any easier: you just need a food processor and no cooking at all! Healthy and delicious, no one will resist!
Healthy Energy Bites for Kids
It's like clockwork: around 3 or 4 o'clock every day, my kids start rummaging through the pantry and fridge, looking for a snack. That's when these healthy and delicious brownie energy bites solve the problem!
These are super simple to make, requiring just a handful of nutritious ingredients. They're refined sugar-free and grain-free (replacing the cashews). While these are perfect for snack time, you can even pack a couple of these in your kids' lunch boxes as a sweet treat.
I love that they only take a few minutes to make, and I can make a big batch at the beginning of the week so we have snacks ready! It really is all about planning.
Ingredients
Made with all good-for-you ingredients and delicious chocolate taste, these brownie energy bites will be a hit with your kids!
Here's what you need:
- Raisins: a rich source of fiber and minerals.
- Cashews: you can swap them for sunflower seeds to make the bites nut-free.
- Cocoa powder: chocolate taste!
- Vanilla extract: add an irresistible dessert-like taste and aroma.
- Salt: to enhance the flavors.
- Cinnamon: just a pinch for extra flavor.
You’ll find the measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Kid-Friendly Energy Bites
These nutritious energy bites for kids come together easily in the food processor. Just 10 minutes and no cooking required!
Make them following these simple steps:
- Soak raisins
Place raisins in a medium bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 5 minutes to soften, then drain. - Process
Add raisins and all remaining ingredients into a food processor and pulse until the mixture turns into the consistency of sand. Remove the blade from the unit. - Make the bites
Using your hands, scoop out dough and form into balls on the palms of your hands. - Chill & store
Chill for 30 minutes and enjoy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for one week.
Take a look at how easy these brownie energy bites are to make:
How to Pack Chocolate Energy Bites for a School Snack
After the bites are chilled, pack them in the lunchbox in the morning, and they stay perfect until lunchtime.
How Many of These Homemade Energy Bites Can You Eat in a Day?
The energy source of these bites is a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates; therefore, energy bites that don’t contain caffeine, like these, can be enjoyed liberally (as many as you want) as long as they fit into your daily nutrition requirements.
Chocolate Brownie No-Bake Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins, packed
- 1 cup cashews
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Place raisins in a medium bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 5 minutes to soften then drain.
- Add raisins and all remaining ingredients into a food processor and pulse until the mixture turns into the consistency of sand. Remove blade from the unit.
- Using your hands, scoop out dough and form into balls on the palms of your hands.
- Chill for 30 minutes and enjoy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for one week.
Christina says
I found these really tough to roll. The pieces would bream up as soon as I applied any pressure. I used almonds, so maybe they need to be broken into smaller pieces first.
MOMables says
You may need to process them a little longer, or add some more raisins to give them moisture. You can also try adding 1-2 tablespoons of water to get them to stick better!
cathy says
Hi
these sound great but I have a silly question.. can we substitute the raisins for anything
else..not crazy about raisins..maybe dates,,I m just curious because these do sound
yummy and healthy ,prob great before or after training too…
thank you for your great ideas;0)
MOMables says
Dates or prunes would definitely work here!
Angelina says
If you don’t have a food processor will a blender work?
MOMables says
Yes! Just make sure to watch it to get the right texture.
Kim says
Cocoa powder? Do you mean the unsweetened kind u bake with, or something else?
MOMables says
Yes! Just plain unsweetened cocoa powder.
Amy says
Are there any options for nut free? What could you substitute for the cashews?
MOMables - Laura says
For the cashews, use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!
Charlene says
My son is allergic to ALL nuts…. Can you suggest a no -nut substitution for the cashews? Thanks!!
MOMables says
Hey Charlene! Sunflower seeds could definitely work here.
Charlene says
Perfect! I was thinking of those as well!
Libby says
I can’t have nuts either and might try pumpkin seeds (pepitas)!
MOMables says
I definitely think that would work!
Lisa says
Wow! These are incredible!
I used the raisin water to sweeten my tea.
Thank you!!
MOMables says
That’s a genius idea!
Molly A. says
I love these! The one time I tried to make something similar, it burned up my food processor, though, so I’ve only ever made them once. (My fault. It was a mini-food processor and not designed for the task.) What food processor do you use to make these? Since I’m in the market for one that will make this kind of thing without dying on me. :)
The kids gobbled these up the one time I made it, and I’d love to be able to offer them this rather than other less healthy options when they get a sweet tooth.
MOMables says
I promise these won’t burn your food processor up! :) This one is great because you can scrape the sides without stopping the processor. I hope you get to try them!
Kara says
any suggestions for a nut-free version?
MOMables says
Sunflower seeds would work!
Golda says
Sounds amazing! I’ll make sure to give it a try!
MOMables says
Yay! They’re such a great snack.
AR says
Can you suggest alternative to cashews for this recipe? Pecans, pistachios or almonds?
MOMables says
Hi! Any nut should do, though you may need to adjust the amount to get the right texture. Almonds or pecans sound delicious!