Description
Chewy, tangy, and protein-packed no-bake bites made with oats, coconut, and fresh lemon. These gluten-free friendly snacks require no oven and are perfect for a quick, healthy afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (120g) Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- ½ cup (45g) Desiccated Coconut (unsweetened, fine-shred)
- ½ cup (50-60g) Vanilla Protein Powder (whey or plant-based)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Zest
- 1–2 teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons (32g) Smooth Nut Butter (peanut or almond)
- 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) Honey or Maple Syrup
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 pinch Salt
- Optional: 2 tablespoons Chopped Almonds
- Optional: 1 tablespoon White Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Wash the lemon thoroughly and zest it to get 1 tablespoon of zest. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out 1-2 teaspoons of juice, straining out any seeds. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, desiccated coconut, and protein powder. Whisk to distribute the protein powder evenly.
- Add the nut butter, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt to the dry ingredients.
- Stir the mixture with a silicone spatula until it becomes sticky and holds together. If it looks too dry, add another ½ teaspoon of lemon juice or water.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes to allow the oats to absorb moisture and the mixture to firm up.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge. Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, portion the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. If sticky, wet hands slightly with water.
- Place the rolled balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate the bites for another 30 minutes to set completely before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Do not use instant oats as they will turn the bites into mush. Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the necessary chew. The chilling step is crucial for texture; do not skip it. If using plant-based protein, you may need slightly more liquid. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 5
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: no-bake, protein bites, lemon coconut, healthy snack, gluten-free, vegan option, meal prep, energy balls