No-Bake Banana Bread Balls
on Feb 06, 2021, Updated Aug 27, 2024
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Enjoy these no-bake banana bread balls for a quick, healthy and yummy snack that tastes like dessert and you can whip them up in 10 minutes with just 6 ingredients.
Craving banana bread but don’t feel like baking? These sweet little banana treats are your answer! They’re vegan, gluten-free, perfect for kids and adults and make a great snack on-the-go.
For more no-bake snacks like these, these Lime Coconut Energy Bites, Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Balls are all super yummy too.
Ingredients
- Nuts: I recommend walnuts or pecans but almonds also work, feel free to mix and match as needed for 1 cup total
- Oats: Rolled oats or quick oats both work, use gluten-free certified if needed
- Dates: Any variety works as long as they’re fairly soft and moist and not overly dry. If you only have dry dates, you’ll have to soak them before use.
- Banana: Just ripe or slightly overripe is best, do not use an under-ripe banana
- Chocolate Chips: I like Camino or Enjoy Life for a dairy-free and vegan option, if that’s not a concern, any chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate works, the chocolate chips are optional but obviously recommended!
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Add the nuts and oats to a food processor and process until broken down into a grainy consistency. A few larger bites of pecan left behind are ok but they should be mostly broken down.
Step 2. Add everything but the chocolate chips and blend into a thick, sticky dough you can press between your fingers. Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix them throughout.
If the mixture seems too crumbly (this can happen if the dates were too dry), add 1-2 tbsp warm water and process again.
Step 3. Use your hands to roll the dough into about 20 balls. You can enjoy right away or firm up in the fridge for about 30 minutes. To smooth out the bites after you’ve rolled them all, wet your hands and give each one another quick roll to smooth.
FAQs
Yes! To make these without oats, replace them with an additional 1 cup of nuts (2 cups nuts total).
I haven’t tested it but I think you could use 2.5 cups rolled oats instead of 1 cup oats and 1 cup nuts, or try using sunflower seeds instead of nuts.
If you have a specific nut allergy, almonds, cashews, walnuts and pecans all work for the 1 cup of nuts, so choose whichever one works for you.
To make these sugar-free, use sugar-free chocolate chips such as stevia-sweetened Lily’s chocolate chips or omit the chocolate chips entirely. To reduce the sugar content, use a high-cocoa content dark chocolate.
Storing Instructions
- Fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 1 weeks.
- Freezer: Store in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
- Room Temperature: Okay at room temperature if taking to-go but they’ll get soft it’s warm. Keep cool if possible!
More Energy Balls
- Raw Gingerbread Bites
- No-Bake Pumpkin Pecan Balls
- Chocolate Superfood Energy Balls
- No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls
- Chocolate Date Balls
More Recipes to Try!
Energy Balls
No-Bake Cashew Coconut Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Cinnamon Energy Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls
No-Bake Banana Bread Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnut pieces or pecans, 150 g
- 1 cup rolled oats, 100 g
- 1 cup packed soft pitted dates, 220 g
- 1 medium ripe banana, 1/2 cup, 120 g
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
- 1/2 cup mini or regular chocolate chips, 90 g
Instructions
- Add the nuts and oats to a food processor and blend until broken down and grainy.
- Add everything but the chocolate chips and blend into a thick, sticky dough you can press together between your fingers.
- Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix throughout.
- Use your hands to roll the dough into 20 balls. To smooth out the balls after rolling, wet hands and roll each ball a few times to smooth. It's okay to enjoy them right away, they'll just be a little soft, otherwise, firm in the fridge for 30 minutes then enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published February 9, 2015.
Banana bread <3 Portable!
1 2 and 3. Love ur bite recipes
Vegan food, food to fuel athlete during training / fitness and wellness
Xx
Thanks for the feedback, Zandi. I’m working on a post about vegan sports nutrition, so you can stay tuned for that!
Totes trying this with peanut butter!
Oh, they’d be awesome with PB too!! Obviously! PB + Banana..best ever!
My three favorite topics:
1. Vegan Recipes (duh!)
2. Wellness
3. Blogging
Ooh, banana bread in raw, bite-size form? Yes please! *scarfs them down*
Thanks so much, Meredeth. I really appreciate all your thoughtful comments, it means a lot. …you don’t have to tell me about scarfing..hahah!
1. Vegan recipes
2. Beauty and self care tips
3. Product reviews
You’re doing a great job!
Hi Kathleen, thanks very much for your feedback and encouragement, it’s really helpful to hear from you!
I love your blog and most recently your re-vamp – looks great! (Although I’m not sure how new it is :/ I’ve been offline for a little bit sorry!) I’m allllll about your food and travel, that recent Thailand post had me dreaming! Keep spreading the love 🙂
Hi Holly! I have to finish up my Thailand posts, I have a few more stories to tell! Thanks for the feedback on the blog, it’s still pretty new so I’m glad to hear you like it!
I love your blog, especially your amazing recipes, fitness tips, all things related to travel. But food is my passion! Thanks for inspiring me to live a healthier life!
Thank you so much for saying that, Holli. I love to hear that and it motivates me to keep blogging! Thanks for the comment 🙂
I am trying my best to live a healthy lifestyle. I started running
a few years ago at 52. I want to continue to maintain my weightloss
by making healthy choices such as learning from your vegan recipes.
My goal is to stay well and fit so that I can keep running joyfully. I enjoy all
of your wellness management and fitness support. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the feedback, Cyndi! That’s a wonderful goal! I need to start running more, it is such a great way to stay in shape and manage stress. I used to run a lot more but now that I’m more into CrossFit, I’ve kinda let it slide. Thanks again for the input, I’m so glad you’re enjoying my posts.
These look amazing, and l love how simple the recipe is! I can’t wait to try! I always love reading about blogging, fitness, food, and beauty tips!
Thanks for the feedback, Becky. I’m never sure whether I should continue with blogging tips or if it makes sense on the blog but love writing and sharing those posts?! I just started with the beauty tips and I’m looking forward to continuing that 🙂 thank you!