Almond Joy Bites are a quick and delicious treat made with almond butter, oats, and coconut. These chewy protein balls are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or a late-night snack.
If you like chocolate and coconut, then you'll love this healthier Almond Joy hot chocolate!
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Almond Joy Energy Bites
I always crave something sweet in the afternoons. Usually, I can control my craving for cookies by drinking iced coffee or an iced matcha latte.
But sometimes, I cannot resist the temptation to snack on a sweet treat. Those days, I make peanut butter granola balls or healthy brownie bites.
This week, I changed the peanut butter bites by replacing some oats with shredded coconut and using almond butter instead of peanut butter. I love that these protein bites taste like dessert, but they are a healthy chocolate snack.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's ready in 10 minutes. Mix the ingredients in a large bowl and then roll them into balls.
- This is a healthier alternative. These Almond Joy Bites have the same flavor as an Almond Joy bar but without refined sugar. They are one of my favorite ways to enjoy a healthy candy bar.
- Great on-the-go snack. These no-bake energy bites are perfect for busy families. Just pop a few in a plastic bag or Tupperware container to bring with you!
Key Ingredients
You can create quick and easy no-bake almond energy bites with just a few ingredients. Mix everything and enjoy a nutritious treat in minutes.
- Almond Butter - Holds the ingredients together and gives them an excellent almond flavor. You could also use crunchy almond butter to add nuts to each power ball.
- Honey - You can use raw, local honey or your favorite brand from the grocery store. Agave or cinnamon maple syrup is another natural sweetener option.
- Vanilla Extract - Choose pure vanilla instead of imitation vanilla. You can also use almond extract for extra almond flavor.
- Old Fashioned Oats - Rolled oats add a chewy texture and provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes - An almond joy isn't complete without coconut! Opt for unsweetened shredded coconut instead of sweetened coconut flakes.
- Chocolate Protein Powder - Increase the chocolate flavor and add protein to help you fuel your muscles.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - I like using Hershey's dark cocoa for deep chocolate flavor.
How to Make Almond Joy Bites
This recipe for chocolate coconut energy bites is incredibly easy - just mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Stir the almond butter, honey, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the oats, coconut, protein powder, and cocoa powder and mix until everything is combined.
- Divide the mixture into 16 equal parts using a small cookie scoop and then roll each into a ball.
- Roll the balls in the remaining coconut for extra crunch and flavor.
Extra Toppings
Feel free to add your favorite toppings to customize the outside of your protein balls and give them extra flavor.
- Flaky Coconut - Press extra coconut on top for some additional texture.
- Drizzled Chocolate - Melt milk chocolate or dark chocolate and drizzle it over each Almond Joy bite.
- Chopped Almonds - Just like the coconut, sprinkle toasted or raw almonds on top for extra crunch.
- Chocolate Chips - Press some chocolate chips on top of your balls for more sweetness.
Storage Recommendations
On the Counter - Store your little bites in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
In the Refrigerator - You can also refrigerate the balls for 5-7 days.
In the Freezer - Place the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and then freeze for 30 minutes. Then, place the snacks in a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Tips and Tricks
- Add more healthy fats. Stir flax, hemp, or chia seeds into the oat mixture.
- Keep it moist. If the mixture seems dry, add one tablespoon of water or almond milk at a time to help it stick together.
- Use a 1-tablespoon scoop. This will divide the mixture easily and keep your portion sizes consistent.
- Make energy bars. Press the mixture evenly into a parchment-lined 8x8 pan. Chill before cutting into small bite-sized squares.
Variations
- Use other natural sweeteners. Substitute maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup for the honey.
- Make homemade almond butter. If you have raw almonds and 10-15 minutes to spare, you can easily make creamy almond butter using a food processor.
- Create Almond Joy truffles. Drizzle the Almond Joy protein balls with melted chocolate for a more decadent dessert. I recommend using Lily's chocolate chips.
FAQs
For a chewier texture, use old-fashioned rolled oats. If you prefer a smoother, softer texture, quick oats will do, but they will not have the same bite and soften faster.
Of course! This recipe basically already is. Make sure that the oats you use are certified gluten-free. Oats themselves are gluten-free, but cross-contamination can occur during processing.
Different kinds of nut butter may have varying consistencies. You can adjust the stickiness by adding a small amount of water or almond milk.
More Healthy Snacks
- Peanut Butter Date Balls
- Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Strawberry Yogurt Bites
- Protein Jello
- Keto Lava Cake
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
Please leave a 5-star ⭐️ rating and a review in the comments section below.
Recipe
Almond Joy Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup almond butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
- ½ serving chocolate Premiere protein powder (¼ c.)
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
Instructions
- Stir together oats, ¼ cup coconut, protein powder, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the almond butter, honey, and vanilla and stir until everything is coated.
- Use a 1 tablespoon scoop to make 16 mounds.
- Roll each in a bowl and roll in the remaining coconut, pressing firmly.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 115Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 11gNet Carbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
This post was first published in January 2015. The photos and post were updated and then it was republished in April 2024.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
These energy bites look amazing! I am ready for healthier snacks too after the holidays and love that these are Almond Joy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am so ready for these healthier meals and snacks too! At least that's what I keep telling myself 🙂
Amanda
These look amazing! I love a sweet treat that's also healthy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girlie! I love finding ways to keep indulging in chocolate 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
These look simply amazing Jocelyn!
Lisa | Sweet 2 Eat Baking
I’ve been eating everything in front of me too, and there’s no stopping me - new year or not! 😆 But I do struggle for energy a lot with my illness and medications. What’s worse is I don’t like coffee so mornings are like hell here, I definitely need me some of these energy balls to start the day with.
I love how they don’t have any almond joys in them too, we don’t get them here. I’ll definitely be making these. Did you make the almond butter yourself? If not, you think it’ll work with homemade since we can’t get those here.
Jocelyn Brubaker
It's so hard to stop eating bad once you start. This week has been tough for me for sure. Definitely try these little chocolate bites of awesome. I bought the almond butter, but I'm sure a homemade version would work just as well. Keep me posted on what you do!
Chels+R.
Mmm! All those great flavors tucked into a cute little energy bite!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Yum! These bars sound fantastic, Jocelyn! Almond joy bars are on of my favorites. Pinned to try out!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much for the pin love 🙂
Vicki Bensinger
I'm going to have to make these tonight. I have all the ingredients on hand and have always been a HUGE Almond Joy fan. These sound positively delish!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Woo hoo! I hope you enjoyed them. I couldn't stop snacking on them 🙂
Nancy
I've been walking again but definitely need to eat healthier. These treats look like a good way to start eating better in the new year.
Beth @ bethcakes
I'm right there with you on the eating healthier thing! I really love the idea of these bars and they sound super easy. I'm always on the lookout for healthier snacks and bars like these!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Bring on the healthy eating for everyone!!! I am so glad this is something that everyone wants too! These granola bites were so easy! Definitely try them!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
Yum! I'm always on the lookout for healthier desserts!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert
I love these, Jocelyn! The addition of the protein powder gives that extra boost I so desperately need.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
I could snack on these every day for the rest of my life! Right up my alley with chocolate and coconut. Yum!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Believe me I ate way too many of these little bites of awesome! Now to learn moderation 😉 LOL!
Sarah
What a perfect snack! I love the chocolate/coconut combination!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie
Ok, definitely pinning this- I really need to be healthier this year, and not for only a month, which is the way many of my New Years Resolutions go 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm right there with you! Healthy eating here we come!!!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou
I definitely need some healthy dessert ideas this month!! these look delicious - I love almond and coconut!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl
I haven't slacked on workouts, so that's the only thing keeping me sane right now. Haha! But I definitely had major sugar rushes with all the holidays treats and desserts! I'm feeling it now, and paying for it! I'm cleaning up the diet for a bit, that's for sure. These energy bars look perfect!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Woo hoo! Good for you for keeping at it!!! I am paying for my slack offs now!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
I've slowly been getting back on the workout wagon for the past couple weeks. And I've even been eating healthier but then a mini vacation happened last week and I totally stuffed my face with all things carbs. AHH. These energy bars are the perfect addition to my healthy eating plan. I'm a huge fan of almond butter so these are perfect for me! Happy New Year, Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I very slowly got back on that wagon this week too...now to just stay motivated to keep going and eating right. Happy New Year girlie!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me
I love the addition of protein powder. A great recipe to enjoy mid day when my sweet tooth starts talking to me.
Beth
It's so hard when it's freezing outside to feel like exercising or driving to the gym, so maybe I can start by eating better 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh, I definitely know the feeling. I have to make myself get up every morning!!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
YES! I am obsessed with Almond Joy (we didn't have them when I was growing up in Canada) and I also love eating something sweet after my workouts. LOVING how you sneaked some protein in there! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
There is something so satisfying about eating a healthy sweet after a hard workout, right?
Nicole Brungs
I was wondering do you have to put the chocolate protein powder into the mix? If so is there another brand you recommend using; b/c I followed the link to the Advocare site and cannot find the chocolate protein powder?
Jocelyn
I am so sorry about the link not working. I went in and fixed it to go to the chocolate protein powder. We use and recommend the Advocare products, but you can use any chocolate protein powder if you like.