Mocha Quinoa Energy Bites (No Bake)
These mocha quinoa energy balls are one of my go-to snacks for busy days. Packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and just the right amount of natural sweetness, they’re perfect for that afternoon slump or a quick post-workout boost. The cooked quinoa adds a fun texture and helps keep you full longer.
They’re easy to prep ahead, naturally gluten free, dairy free, and vegan; ideal for grab-and-go snacking all week. Want to make them more kid-friendly? Just swap the mocha protein powder for chocolate or vanilla. Whether you’re fueling a workout or just powering through your to-do list, these energy bites have your back.
Ingredients
- Cooked Quinoa
- Dairy free milk
- Cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- Coconut butter or nut butter of choices (almond, cashew, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter)
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Vegan protein powder
- Espresso powder
- Hemp hearts (optional)
- Cacao nibs (optional)
Instructions
Combine the cooked quinoa, dairy free milk, cacao powder, applesauce, protein powder, espresso powder, hemp hearts (optional) and cacao nibs (optional) in a large bowl. Mix well.
Drizzle in the melted coconut butter (or nut butter of choice), stirring well to fully incorporate.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Scoop out the mixture into 1 tablespoon sized balls. Roll with your hand to make the perfect shape.
Drizzle with additional coconut butter (optional) or melted chocolate (optional).
Top tips
- These quinoa protein bites are best if kept refrigerated, especially if you add the coconut butter drizzle on top.
- Use a tablespoon to measure out the batter to ensure you have similar size balls. However you will find that for the best presentation, you will want to roll the balls with your hands. If you find the batter sticks to your hands, wet your hands slightly before rolling.
- Allow these quinoa energy balls to set in the fridge 15-20 minutes after rolling to help them fully set up. If you add coconut butter drizzle or chocolate drizzle, you can even set them up in the freezer.
Mocha Quinoa Energy Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup dairy free milk
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons coconut butter - or nut butter or peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
- 1 serving Nuzest protein powder - or 1/3 cup oat flour
- ½ tablespoon espresso powder
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts - optional
- 2 tablespoons cacao nibs - optional
Instructions
- In a glass bowl combine all the ingredients, saving the coconut butter for last.½ cup cooked quinoa, ½ cup dairy free milk, 2 tablespoons cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons coconut butter, 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce, 1 serving Nuzest protein powder, ½ tablespoon espresso powder, 2 tablespoons hemp hearts, 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
- Stir in coconut butter and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Scoop out in tablespoon sized bites and roll into a ball.
- Optional: Drizzle with more coconut butter or melted chocolate chips, freeze15-20 minutes. Store in the fridge after topping has set.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
What is the best protein to use
Quinoa is packed with protein. Did you know that quinoa is a seed, not a grain and it has all 9 essential proteins in it? That being said, to add more protein to this recipe, you can add a serving of your favorite protein powder.
I love Nuzest protein, but you can use whatever your favorite protein is. If you don’t want to add protein powder, you will want to use 1/3 cup of oat flour or gluten free flour of choice plus 2-3 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar.
Other flavor combos you can use
These mocha energy bites use cacao powder + espresso powder to make that mocha flavor. You can add these mix-ins to the cacao + espresso powder or choose to omit the espresso to make them chocolate protein bites. Here are some other flavor combinations you can try:
- Chopped pecans, walnuts or cashews
- Chopped dried cherries
- Freeze dried strawberries, raspberries or bananas, chopped
- Mini chocolate chips
More quinoa recipes to try
Quinoa is one of my favorite grains to cook in big batches! Did you know you can cook a large batch in the instant pot? It holds up so well in the fridge and it’s super versatile! You can use it in your breakfast, lunch and dinners throughout the week!
Mocha is my weakness.
I am always amazed at how versatile quinoa is! And love the mocha flavor :D
These look delicious! No bake is PERFECT this time of year too.
I love love the new Vega Mocha! No bake for the win.
Fun!!! What a great way to use quinoa.
Mocha is the best! These look so tasty and easy.
These sound amazing! I bet my boys would love them!
I absolutely LOVE mocha! these sound awesome! I love peppermint mocha :)
What an interesting way to use quinoa. So unique!
These look great! In college I spent one summer as a nanny to this family 4 hours a day. It was so fun and the pay was freaking amazing! lol
Quinoa, cocoa, mocha….joys!
(Favorite college job? —-> my own business, aka BLOGGING! Hahahaha!)
I never thought to use quinoa instead of oats – so smart! You know I love all things Vega, and I JUST got their mocha flavor to try – can’t wait! I’m with you that chocolate/coffee is the best coffee flavor combo.
And let’s see – favorite college job – I worked the front desk at a gym. Loved it!
I love the idea of using quinoa for protein balls! I’m in LOVE with the Vega One Mocha – I ran out and now I’m sad :(
The creativity with the quinoa here is awesome. I’ve never thought to use cooked quinoa in a bites recipe! My KIND bars have raw (maybe toasted?) quinoa in them, and that’s kind of good too…but so so crunchy :P
These look amazing! I actually have all the ingredients to make these and since that glaze is just killing me, I might have to make these today! What a great recipe, thanks for sharing!