Trail Mix Protein Bites
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These no-bake trail mix protein bites are like bite-sized cookies. They’re packed with oats, shredded coconut, nuts, and seeds. They’re easily customizable, kids love them, and they take just 10 minutes to make!
These trail mix protein bites are one of those recipes I make again and again because they’re just so easy and so good. There’s no baking involved — I simply mix everything together in a bowl and roll the mixture into little bites.
I almost always keep a stash in the freezer for mid-afternoon sweet cravings, last-minute hikes, or easy after-school treats. They’re satisfying, grab-and-go, and the kind of snack I’m always happy to find waiting for me.
Ingredients needed
These yummy trail mix energy balls come together in just 10 minutes, with less than 10 ingredients.
Here’s everything you need to make them:
- Quick oats: we use quick oats because we find they are easy to work with but you can use old fashioned oats if that’s what you have on hand. Use gluten-free oats if needed. You can also pulse rolled oats in your blender or food processor a couple times to break them into smaller pieces.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut: shredded coconut adds great texture.
- Sunflower seeds, raisins, chopped walnuts, and chopped peanuts or almonds: this is the mix of ingredients we use but feel free to mix it up with other nuts, seeds, or dried fruit like pecans, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, dried cranberries, or dried cherries.
- Mini M&M’s: mini M&M’s are a delightful addition that are always a big hit with the kids. You can also use mini dark chocolate chips.
- Natural peanut butter or almond butter: use a natural peanut or almond butter that’s somewhat liquidy to help everything stick together. You can also use cashew butter if that’s what you have in your pantry. For a school-friendly (aka nut free) version of these bites, use sunflower seed butter.
- Maple syrup: we use maple syrup as a sweetener to keep this recipe vegan but runny honey makes a great substitute.
Variation ideas
These trail mix protein bites are easily customizable with lots of options for substitutions, so have fun making them your own!
Here are some delicious ideas to get you started:
- Give your protein bites an omega 3 boost by adding 2 tablespoons of ground flax meal or hemp hearts (and adjust the recipe by reducing the amount of oats by 2 tablespoons).
- For more texture, try a crunchy natural peanut butter.
- Enhance the overall flavor with a splash of pure vanilla extract.
- For a less sweet version, swap the M&M’s or chocolate chips for cocoa nibs.
Tips for making trail mix protein bites
These energy bites are easy to make but here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Use a runny natural nut butter. The runnier texture is what helps these balls stick together so they don’t crumble apart.
- Chop your nuts into small pieces. If the nut pieces are too large, the dough will be hard to form into balls.
- Store them in the fridge or freezer so they firm up. If you prefer a softer texture, pull them out about 5 minutes before you want to eat them.
Recipe FAQs
How long do these keep?
These protein bites will keep in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks, or in your freezer for up to 3 months.
My protein bites are crumbly. What should I do?
If your protein bites are crumbly, try adding a bit more nut butter.
When making protein bites, we recommend doing a test before rolling to see if your mixture is sticky enough. Just pinch a little bit between your fingers, and if it sticks together well, you’re ready to roll!
How do I make these protein bites nut-free?
To keep these protein bites nut-free (aka school-friendly), use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut or almond butter, and swap the chopped nuts for seeds instead.
Trail Mix Protein Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ cup EACH: sunflower seeds, raisins, chopped walnuts, and chopped peanuts or almonds
- ¼ cup mini M&Ms (sub mini chocolate chips if needed)
- ¾ cup natural peanut or almond butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup (can sub honey)
Instructions
- Place the oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, walnuts, peanuts or almonds, and the mini M&Ms in a large bowl. Add the peanut or almond butter and the maple syrup and mix everything well. It is easier to start mixing with a wooden spoon and then use your hands at the end.1 cup quick oats, ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, ¼ cup EACH: sunflower seeds, raisins, chopped walnuts, and chopped peanuts or almonds, ¼ cup mini M&Ms, ¾ cup natural peanut or almond butter, ¼ cup maple syrup
- Once the dough comes together, form it into 22 balls. You'll need about 2 tablespoons per ball.
- Store in your fridge for firmer balls and covered on your counter for softer ones.
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
If I’m using regular (non-natural) peanut butter that already has sugar in it, can I leave out the maple syrup/honey?
I think that would be a good idea. 🙂
These were so yummy! However, they were super messy when I tried to roll them into balls. It seemed like more was on my hands than in the balls. Did I put too much honey, or is that just how it is? Any tips would be great! Thanks!
Try wetting your hands with a little water next time. It helps keep them from sticking. 🙂
These are so awesome. We took them in a tupperware container in my backpack on a hiking trip with my 3 and 5 year old. They were a huge hit and very yummy
So happy to hear that they were a hit!
Delicious snack! My daughter and I couldn’t stop eating them.
So happy to hear you both like them!
THESE. ARE. AMAZING!!
I made them for a school camping trip and they were gone in an instant. A big hit with all my friends!!
That’s so great to hear!
These look amazing. Gonna try them out for our up coming camping trip, but might make a few substitutions (like craisins for raisins, etc). Question though…how long of a shelf like would these have? (I mean I know they will get go bled up quickly….but wondering how far in advance I can make them) . Thanks.
We’ve kept these for a few weeks and they’ve still been delicious!
How do you store these when you go hiking? Just in zip lock bags or some other way?
I put them in a small plastic Tupperware container as they’re safer that way than in a bag. Enjoy your hike!
I hope you like them as much as I do!
Thanks for sharing this. These look good for our camping trip. What can I use if nobody in our family will eat coconut? We aren’t fans of the texture – similar to chewing on apple peels. What are my options?
You can omit them if you’re not fans. 🙂
They really are, aren’t they? So happy your kids liked them, too!