Chunky, delicious, and easy to make, these flavorful no-bake Oatmeal Energy Bites with cranberries, pistachios, dates, and chocolate chips are the perfect healthy and guilt-free snack or dessert!
Why We Love This Recipe!
Healthy meets delicious with these naturally sweetened healthy oatmeal energy bites studded with chunky bites of cranberries, pistachios, and chocolate chips!
Full of flavor and goodness you can taste in every bite, these colorful no-bake energy bites are clean eating and make a perfect dessert or snack!
You are officially warned, these are delicious and won’t last long. But not to worry because they’re quick and easy to make so that you can whip up more in a cinch!
Without further ado, let’s get to it!
Ingredient Notes
In the recipe, a cinnamon date paste is made and mixed with oats, cranberries, pistachios, and chocolate chips, then rolled into healthy energy bites for a nourishing and delicious snack.
Here is everything you will need, plus ingredient substitution ideas:
- dates – medjool dates, fresh as possible
- oats – old fashioned oats preferred
- cranberries – dried or fresh
- pistachios – pref unsalted or lightly salted
- seeds – any small seed such as chia, hemp hearts or flaxseed meal
- cardamom – or cinnamon (optional)
How to make Healthy Oatmeal Energy Bites
(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)
- Start by making your date paste. Place dates, water (or maple syrup), seeds of choice (I used chia seeds), optional spice and salt into the bowl of a food processor or high speed blender. Process until the mixture becomes a paste like consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to push the ingredients down.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the oats, pistachios, cranberries and chocolate chips, add in the date paste and mix well.
- Using a tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop up rounded tablespoons and roll into bite size balls, packing them well.
And that’s it! Now you’re ready to snack on these chunky bits of goodness!
Top Tips
- Keep your hands clean when rolling. This mixture is somewhat loose and needs to be packed well when rolling. Keeping your hands clean will help greatly in the process. Be sure to rinse your hands after every few balls, leaving a little moisture on your hands.
How To Store + Freeze
- Refrigerator: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: For longer storage, energy balls will keep in the freezer for up to 2 – 3 months. To freeze, place the balls on a baking sheet or plate, about 1 inch apart, place in the freezer for a few hours (this will help them not stick together). Once frozen you can store them in freezer safe ziplock bags or containers. Let thaw in the refrigerator a few hours before snacking.
More No-Bake Recipes!
- Hemp Heart Energy Bites
- Healthy No Bake Energy Balls
- No Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cookie Balls
- Raw Ginger Snaps
- Coconut Lemon Bombs
- Raw Coconut Brownie Bites
- Raw Pecan Pie Energy Balls
- Cranberry Almond Energy Bites
If you try this easy no-bake recipe or have a question, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
PrintCRANBERRY PISTACHIO OATMEAL ENERGY BITES
These chunky and delicious no-bake energy bites with oatmeal, pistachios, cranberries, and chocolate chips are full of flavor and wholesome nutrition!
- Prep Time: 40 min
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Makes 16 – 18 1x
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: food processor
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Date Paste
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted and chopped (about 11 – 12 dates)
- ¼ cup water (or pure maple syrup)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, hemp hearts or flaxseed meal
- ½ teaspoon cardamom (or cinnamon), optional
- pinch of mineral salt
Fold-Ins
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup unsalted pistachios (lightly salted ok too)
- 1 cup cranberries (dried or fresh chopped)
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, cacao nibs, or a dark chocolate bar chopped into small pieces
Instructions
Paste: Place dates, water (or maple syrup), seeds of choice, optional spice and salt into the bowl of a food processor or high speed blender. Process until it becomes a paste like consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to push the ingredients down.
Mix: In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the oats, pistachios, cranberries and chocolate chips, add in the date paste and mix well.
Roll: Using a tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop up rounded tablespoons and roll into bite size balls. This mixture is somewhat loose and will need to be packed well into ball shapes. It helps to rinse your hands after every few balls, leaving a little moisture on your hands, to remove any excess date paste (otherwise it gets to be messy and the balls don’t roll as well).
Makes about 16 – 18
Store: Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week. For longer storage, keep in the freezer for up to 2 – 3 months. Let thaw before eating.
Notes
If you can, try using fresh chopped cranberries in place of dried. They a little tartness and pair well with the sweetness of some of the other ingredients without adding refined sugars that are usually in dried cranberries. You can find organic dried cranberries that use pure cane sugar or applesauce to sweeten the berries. Fresh is always best so give it a try sometime, you may be surprised how good they are in this recipe.
Updated: Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal Energy Bites was originally published in December 2012. It has been updated with new photos and helpful tips in April 2020.
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Christen says
Hi there! Just wondering if this nutrition facts labels includes the ingredients listed as “optional.” Thanks!
Julie | The Simple Veganista says
No, the optional ingredients are not included in the nutritional info.
Diane Derrick says
Do you toast your oats first?
[email protected] says
Hi Diana, I didn't toast the oats first but feel free to do so if you like. Hope you enjoy these! Cheers :)
Diane Derrick says
Love them, thanks. Need to learn about eating in moderation though I want to eat the whole lot in one sitting! I added seeds to mine.
jvvvv says
delicious….thank you! just finished licking the mixing bowl…
Julie says
Ah yes, licking the bowl is sometimes the best part. :)
Julie says
Thank you Hannah! :)
Hannah @ Healy Real Food Vegetarian says
These look so good!