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.
Alice
No kids in the family, just me and my husband. Such as easy recipe with very few ingredients. These energy balls are delicious and a keeper!
Julia Mells
Great recipe! Cooked these brownies for her family – everyone loved it! Thank you so much for sharing such a delicious recipe!
MOMables - Laura
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Julia!
Lauren
Oh my goodness Laura! These are my new favorite treat! I realize I’m a little late to the party in terms of trying this recipe, but seriously-like eating brownies. I subbed almonds because I was out of cashews and they turned out great. I’m so excited because I LOVE chocolate (and brownies/cookies) and these completely satisfy my treat cravings! =)
MOMables - Laura
I’m SO GLAD! Thank you for trying it!
Martine
Love!!!! I was just looking for something different to do for snacks for the kiddos.
MOMables - Laura
Thank you for trying this recipe Marine! and also for texting me the pics :)
Jenny
Can you freeze these?
MOMables - Laura
Yes you can!
Luciana
Made this but used dates instead of the raisins and it worked just the same. It tastes delicious!
Crystal
Made these with sliced almonds, and they were fabulous! Also, added unsweetened shredded coconut. Great healthier snack.
MOMables
I”m so glad you liked them Crystal!
Mindy
I had the opposite problem of some people posting, mine seemed too wet and sticky. Too solve this I added some oats. I also decided to add some peanut butter at the end! My kids love these. Sadly, my daughter (1st grade) gets made fun of at school for her healthy (different) snacks and lunches. Aren’t kids cruel? Anyways, she told me today, ” the kids didn’t make fun of me today because I told them I was eating chocolate!”
MOMables
I’m glad you figured it out! And yes, Mindy, that is beyond sad – kids can definitely be mean when it comes to something different than what they know. At least you know she’s eating healthy!
BBishop
I’ve made these several times and they were a great success! Have shared the recipe link with many! About to try some of the variations mentioned by others :)
MOMables
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!
Christina
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
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
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
Dates or prunes would definitely work here!
Angelina
If you don’t have a food processor will a blender work?
MOMables
Yes! Just make sure to watch it to get the right texture.
Kim
Cocoa powder? Do you mean the unsweetened kind u bake with, or something else?
MOMables
Yes! Just plain unsweetened cocoa powder.
Amy
Are there any options for nut free? What could you substitute for the cashews?
MOMables - Laura
For the cashews, use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!
Charlene
My son is allergic to ALL nuts…. Can you suggest a no -nut substitution for the cashews? Thanks!!
MOMables
Hey Charlene! Sunflower seeds could definitely work here.
Charlene
Perfect! I was thinking of those as well!
Libby
I can’t have nuts either and might try pumpkin seeds (pepitas)!
MOMables
I definitely think that would work!
Lisa
Wow! These are incredible!
I used the raisin water to sweeten my tea.
Thank you!!
MOMables
That’s a genius idea!
Molly A.
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
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
any suggestions for a nut-free version?
MOMables
Sunflower seeds would work!
Golda
Sounds amazing! I’ll make sure to give it a try!
MOMables
Yay! They’re such a great snack.
AR
Can you suggest alternative to cashews for this recipe? Pecans, pistachios or almonds?
MOMables
Hi! Any nut should do, though you may need to adjust the amount to get the right texture. Almonds or pecans sound delicious!