Banana Bread Protein Bites

Banana bread protein bites are full of big banana flavor and filling protein. No gluten, dairy, or added sugar here!

I used to make energy bites pretty often, way back before we had kids. I made homemade granola bars, too. It was a period when we had more time than money and I enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen, discovering homemade versions of store-bought favorites. The energy bites and granola bars I made were a hit, but sometime around baby number two’s arrival, it just became easier to buy that type of thing.

Fast forward to now. We just welcomed baby number three, but that hasn’t deterred my desire to feed my family more homemade snacks and fewer processed ones. For J and the kids, I want something they enjoy eating and don’t necessarily recognize as healthy. For myself, I want nutritious, calorie-dense snacks that give me the boost I need while nursing.

That’s where these banana bread protein bites come in. First, they’re gluten-free (assuming your oats are). They don’t contain dairy or added sugar and, aside from the honey and peanut butter, they get their sweetness mostly from the ripe bananas. The bites themselves aren’t overly-sweet; they won’t be confused with a dessert, but they’re also unlikely to be turned down by my toddlers.

No-Bake Banana Bread Protein Bites

Ingredients

4 bananas
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
3 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. mini chocolate chips
1 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

Place the bananas and the protein powder in a large bowl. Use a fork to mash the bananas and the powder together. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir with a spatula until everything is combined. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes (this will make the bites easier to roll out). Shape mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put the sheet in the fridge and allow the bites to firm up for a couple hours.

Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days. This recipe makes 30-36 bites; you might want to cut the recipe in half or plan to give some away.

For more healthy recipes, check out these healthy whole wheat blueberry banana muffins or baked homemade potato chips.