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    You are here: Home / Snacks / No Bake Banana Bread Bites

    No Bake Banana Bread Bites

    Last Updated July 17, 2022. Published July 15, 2022 By Lorie 37 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Banana bread bite with bite taken out and then a bowl of more no bake bites.

    Get all of the flavor of freshly baked banana bread from these No Bake Banana Bread Bites but in only a fraction of the amount of time it takes to bake! Made with wholesome oats, nuts and dates for a great snack that will give you all the fuel with all the flavor!

    No bake banana oat bites in bowl with gold trim.

    This recipe was originally published March 2015 and updated with new photos and content in July 2022.

    No Bake Banana Bread packed into perfect little bites--these are always a hit!

    I love freshly baked banana bread--pumpkin chip banana bread, coconut chip banana bread, etc., but I am also a HUGE fan of no bake bites. These simple, super poppable banana bread bites were inspired by my Peanut Butter Oats Bites and Chunky Monkey Bites. You will love the banana bread flavor of these no bake balls!

    Why you will love these:

    • No baking required. A simple, no bake recipe that is great fuel for when you need some on the go snacking. I love this kind of treat because they whip up in seriously 10 minutes.
    • They are freezer friendly. You can keep these in the fridge or the freezer so you can grab them when you want. In the freezer, they are great for about 2 months.
    • Super kid friendly! What kid doesn't love bananas? Banana bread flavor packed with oats, almonds, walnuts and lots of wholesome fuel for good snacking
    • They use up ripe bananas. I save lots of bananas around here because we seem to always have extra. That's ok, because recipes like these that use up a ripe banana allow me to lessen food waste and use them all up.
    • They taste just like banana bread without the wait! You could take an hour to make banana bread or make these no bake banana bread bites in just 10 minutes. You do the math!
    Bite shot of no bake banana bite.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    • walnuts: I use raw, un-roasted walnuts as well as almonds in these banana bread balls. While they are ideal for this recipe, you can still make the recipe with toasted nuts if that is what you have on hand. I would omit the salt if the nuts are salted though.
    • almonds: any combo of nuts can work really. I have used pecans and cashews as well)
    • rolled oats: use regular or gluten free oats. Quick oats could work as well.
    • very ripe banana: make sure its really nice and brown on the peel!
    • medjool dates: make sure they are medjool dates, these are much larger than other dates
    • vanilla
    • cinnamon
    • sea salt

    How to make these banana bread bites:

    Start these banana oat balls out with the nuts and oats in the food processor. Process until the mixture becomes grain like and the nuts are broken down.

    Add in the banana, dates, cinnamon, vanilla and sea salt and process until a dough starts to form. If the mixture seems to be a bit too dry, add in another date or two. You can also add in some water and pulse. If the banana bread bite mixture seems too wet, add in some more oats.

    At this point, I like to freeze the dough for about 20 minutes to make rolling into bite sized balls easier.

    Roll them up and then chill for about 20 minutes before serving--but let's be honest, you are gonna eat 2 or 3 just while rolling them, so really there are no rules!

    • Almonds, walnuts and rolled oats in food processor.
    • Ground almonds, oats and walnuts in food processor.
    • Banana, medjool dates, cinnamon, and vanilla added to mixture in food processor.

    Banana bread bite mixture in food processor.

    Recipe Tips:

    • If the "dough" seems a bit too thin, you can add some extra oats in. Feel free to pulse them in the food processor or just stir them in whole.
    • Quick oats can also be used in place of the rolled oats if that is what you have on hand. Both should work fine since they are all getting processed into the mixture.
    • You can freeze these no bake banana oat balls for several months. I also chill them for about a week in an air tight container.

    Ways to Vary These No Bake Banana Bread Bites:

    While I love these exactly the way they are, there are actually plenty of ways to make these banana bread bites even more fun. Try any of the following:

    • Stir in white chocolate chips or melt them and drizzle over top and allow to set.
    • Add another chocolate chip--dark, milk chocolate, mini chips, etc. When using regular chocolate chips, I sometimes omit the cinnamon, totally up to you.
    • Use half the amount of cinnamon and sub the rest with pumpkin spice
    • Stir in coconut for a tropical banana bread bite
    • Add in a couple tablespoons of cocoa powder for a chocolate version
    Banana oat balls in bowl with linen behind.

    Other no bake bites:

    • No Bake Blueberry Lemon Energy Bites--these are hands down one of my very favorites--aside from these banana bread bites, of course!
    • Pecan Pie Energy Bites--did someone say pie?!
    • German Chocolate Cake Balls
    • No Bake Brownies
    • Coconut Mango Bites

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    Bowl of no bake banana bread bites.

    No Bake Banana Bread Bites

    Get all of the flavor of freshly baked banana bread from these No Bake Banana Bread Bites but in only a fraction of the amount of time it takes to bake! Made with wholesome oats, nuts and dates for a great snack that will give you all the fuel with all the flavor!
    4.89 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 21 bites
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Lorie Yarro

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup raw walnuts
    • 1 cup raw almonds
    • ⅔ cup rolled oats regular or gluten free
    • 1 very ripe banana
    • 5-7 medjool dates pitted
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ T cinnamon
    • dash of sea salt

    Instructions

    • In a food processor, combine walnuts, pecans and oats until a fine, grainy texture.
    • Add dates (I start with 5 dates), banana, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon and combine until a dough starts to form. If the mixture is too dry, add another date or two. If it seems to be too wet, you can add in some more oats about 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time.
    • Roll into bite sized balls. If it is hard to form into balls, freeze the dough for about 15-20 minutes first for easier rolling.
    • Refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes to set and enjoy. Store in an airtight container for about 5 days in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    • If the "dough" seems a bit too thin, you can add some extra oats in. Feel free to pulse them in the food processor or just stir them in whole.
    • Quick oats can also be used in place of the rolled oats if that is what you have on hand. Both should work fine.
    • You can freeze these no bake banana oat balls for several months. I also chill them for about a week in an air tight container.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 0.5mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine - Jar Of Lemons says

      May 01, 2018 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I love energy bites like these. Really loving the yummy banana bread flavor you have here!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        May 08, 2018 at 11:44 pm

        Aren’t they just the best to have around??

        Reply
    2. Vanessa says

      April 30, 2018 at 11:15 pm

      These look amazing! I'm gonna have to try them soon!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        June 12, 2018 at 10:47 am

        Enjoy!!!

        Reply
    3. Brooke says

      April 30, 2018 at 9:27 pm

      These look delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        May 19, 2018 at 1:55 pm

        Thanks so much, Brooke!

        Reply
    4. Sarah says

      April 30, 2018 at 8:00 pm

      Banana bread is always a great idea and these would be perfect to have stashed in the freezer for when I crave banana bread and don't have spotty bananas or the time to make it.

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        May 19, 2018 at 1:55 pm

        Yes, great for the freezer for sure!

        Reply
    5. Emily Kyle says

      April 30, 2018 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love that these are sweetened with dates and bananas! What a delicious treat!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        May 02, 2018 at 11:53 pm

        These have always been one of my faves. It was one of the first times I had used dates. Game changer!

        Reply
    6. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

      April 30, 2018 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      No bake bites are the best! These sound super yummy!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        May 02, 2018 at 11:53 pm

        Always a win!!

        Reply
      • Lorie says

        May 19, 2018 at 1:55 pm

        Always the best, thanks Sonali!

        Reply
    7. Megan says

      April 30, 2018 at 6:16 pm

      Omg, these look like such a yummy snack. Can’t wait to try them!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        May 08, 2018 at 11:45 pm

        Enjoy Megan!

        Reply
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