No Bake Matcha Energy Bites that taste like cookie dough! One bowl (no food processor) and packed with 4g protein and less than 3g sugar per bite.
True story: at first glance, my mom thought these were green matzo balls (with lots of parsley). HA!
I already made a mint chocolate version that is also drop dead gorgeous. You can play around with the nut butters, swap flax for cocoa, add different extracts...the options are endless!
We sell tons of no-bake bites at Alchemy, and matcha is one of the best selling flavors. This is not the recipe we use at Alchemy (top secret!), but I must say they do taste very similar.
What is matcha?
Matcha is powdered green tea leaves, so instead of getting the nutrients from the water the tea steeped in, you'e drinking the leaves of the actual plant for maximum antioxidants! We could all use an immunity boost right about now! It has a very delicate, almost floral flavor.
These babies are made with whole food ingredients and and are sweetened with just a touch of pure maple syrup. With less than 3g of sugar per bite, we aren't causing any blood sugar crashes today.
These matcha bites are also loaded with brain-boosting fats thanks to the almond flour and flax. Yippee!
Ingredient tips and substitutions
Want to know the secret to making bites that are simply exquisite in the aforementioned departments? It's the combo of almond plus oat flour, which you know I love to use in desserts, like my Double Chocolate Banana Bread. They taste a bit sweeter naturally and have this inherent cookie-like flavor.
- Almond flour: This is what makes the bites have such a great texture. It's essential! Look for super fine blanched kind, not almond meal (which has the skins). I get Kirkland brand at Costco. Don't swap out the flours as you won't get the same results!
- Oat flour: Another favorite gluten free flour of mine, I love the cookie flavor it adds. Be sure to use certified gluten-free if you have a gluten intolerance. You can also make your own by grinding old-fashioned oats in the Nutribullet or food processor.
- Cashew butter: This lends the most cookie-like, neutral flavor, but you can also use almond butter with similar results.
- Vanilla plant protein: For a protein boost and some sweetness! Aim for one made with rice and pea protein like this, this, or this. I have not tried these with whey so I'm not sure about the results.
- Ground flax: I added this pretty much for nutrition sake. You could sub more almond flour if you don't have flax!
- Maple syrup: These bites are lightly sweetened with my favorite natural liquid sweetener. You could also use honey or agave.
- Matcha: I use culinary matcha, which is a bit more affordable. It should be nice and green! You can go up to 4 tsp here. You can also omit it and add ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips for chocolate chip cookie dough bites.
Storage tips
I like these best straight from the refrigerator. They'll last up to a couple weeks! You can also freeze them to prolong shelf life even further.
More no bake snacks
- Gingerbread Energy Bites
- Mint Chocolate Energy Bites
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Truffles
Matcha Cookie Dough Energy Bites
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 18-20 bites 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
No Bake Matcha Cookie Protein Bites that taste like cookie dough! One bowl (no food processor required) and packed with 4g protein and less than 3g sugar per bite! Vegan and gluten free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup oat flour*
- ¼ cup vanilla plant protein powder (I used this)
- ¼ cup ground flax**
- 1 tbsp matcha green tea powder
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ cup cashew butter (or almond, I don't suggest peanut)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Whisk together almond flour, oat flour, vanilla protein powder, flax, matcha and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add cashew butter, maple syrup and water and use your hands to work well until combined. It should stick together easily in your hands after mixing and not be crumbly (see photo of dough). If it gets crumbly, add more water. Roll into balls and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
*You can make your own oat flour by blending old-fashioned oats in the blender or Nutribullet until it reaches a fine powder.
**If you don't have ground flax or protein powder, you can substitute more almond flour. Since vanilla protein powder is sweet, you may need to increase the maple syrup to taste. If you omit protein, add ½ tsp vanilla extract.
If you don't have matcha, you can omit it and add mini chocolate chips for cookie dough bites!
Kim DG says
I've made this recipe DOZENS of times now....it is THE BEST! And why is my husband eating them all before I am!??!? 🙂
Alexis Joseph says
Hahaha that is the worst but also the best LOL
Maily says
Sooooo addictive and delicious !!! Thank you for this amazing idea!
Kristi says
Amazing! Made them for a group of gals and they all loved them. So yummy and easy.
Amanda says
Just made these to have as an easy postpartum snack, they are delicious!
Alexis Joseph says
Yay! I loved these for postpartum, too 🙂
Margo Fultz says
Would I be able to use all almond flour instead of oat as well? Thank you!! Love your recipes!!
Margo
Alexis says
I haven't tried it but that should work!
Megan D says
I made these yesterday, and ooohhhemmgeee are they DELIGHTFUL!
Also: husband approved 👍✨💚
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy thanks a ton, Megan!!!
Margaret says
These were my favorite protein bites to get at Alchemy when I lived in Columbus. When I saw these on the blog I knew I had to try making them 🙂 To quote my husband: “The are the best things I have ever eaten! Literally the perfect combination of flavors!” Thank you!!
Alexis Joseph says
Oh my gosh, I love it! If you can believe it, this is actually not the same recipe, LOL! But they do taste similar 🙂 SO glad you loved these, Margaret. If you'd be up for leaving a star rating with your review that would be STELLAR!
Ari says
I think it's worth sharing how addicting these are!! I have to truly control myself not to eat 6 in one sitting! YUMMM!
Used almond butter instead of cashew due to dietary issues (Low FODMAP) and while the color wasn't super green, the taste? So good!!
Alexis Joseph says
Yessss so glad these were a winner for you, Ari. Thanks for the review!
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy!
Devon says
These are awesome! An amazing, filling, healthy snack
Viktoriya says
These are yummy. I agree that the texture is very lovely and the nuttiness and oatiness goes very well with the matchaness.
Mallory says
After moving to Cleveland from Columbus my #1 missed restaurant is Alchemy. These taste so similar to the ones made at Alchemy. Although not the exact recipe- I would never know. Highly recommend, plus, they were so easy to make!
Alexis Joseph says
Yay!! Miss you, Mal!!
Valerie Cholette says
I did not have protein powder, so I followed the instructions and substituted it with almond flour and vanilla extract. Yum yum! Delicious "no guilt" snack.
Thanks for the recipe!
Alexis Joseph says
Awesome, so glad that worked!
Alexis Joseph says
Awesome!!
Dylan says
Yum! Such a great texture!
Alexis Joseph says
LOve it!!
Kristi says
Wow these are amazing and SO easy to make. These are going to be a staple in our house! Thank you!!
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy thanks, Kristi!
Carrie says
Love matcha, going to make these soon! Will you be posting the mint chocolate chip version, or should I just play around with subs? Thanks for all the great recipes & inspiration!
Alexis Joseph says
I will be posting the mint chocolate version! But it's just no matcha, 1/4 cup cacao powder instead of flax, chocolate protein instead of vanilla, and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract 🙂