Lemon lovers, this bright, easy no bake snack is for you. Over the years I’ve found myself making more and more treats, baked goods, and snacks using fresh citrus because the AK community is 100% obsessed with lemon.
After making (and falling in love with) my Lemon Pistachio Cake with Lovely Lemon Frosting I wanted to create a snack that fit the same vibe. These incredible lemon poppy seed energy bites truly taste like a slice of that cake in nourishing energy bit form and I couldn’t be more obsessed.
Everything you’ll need to make these lemon poppy seed energy bites
These bright, simple lemon energy bites are made with 6 simple ingredients and seriously taste like lemon cake. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
- Medjool dates: these little bites get their sweetness from soft Medjool dates, which also helps hold them together.
- Cashews: add heartiness and healthy fats with raw cashews.
- Lemon: get that lovely lemon flavor from fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Almond extract: a tiny bit of almond extract is what gives them that incredible cake flavor.
- Mix-ins: I like to add poppy seeds for a little crunch, but you could also add chia seeds and get a good boost of fiber, protein, and omega-3s.
Add a coconut twist
I love rolling these lemon poppy seed energy bites in unsweetened shredded coconut for a little twist that makes them taste like dessert. Optional, but so good!
Can I boost the protein?
I think that adding a scoop of your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein powder would work in these energy bites, but you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil so that the mixture blends up easily. Let me know if you give it a try!
How to make lemon energy bites
These lemon poppy seed energy bites couldn’t be easier to make. Simply:
- Add all of the ingredients to your food processor and pulse until the mixture is well combined and sticky.
- Roll the mixture into 14 balls, and roll those in shredded coconut (if desired).
- Store them in the fridge or freezer and enjoy!
Don’t forget to prep your dates
If your Medjool dates aren’t soft and gooey, soak them in warm water for about 5 minutes before adding them to your food processor with the rest of the ingredients.
Storing & freezing tips
- To store: keep these lemon poppy seed energy bites in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: you can freeze these energy bites in a freezer-friendly bag or container for up to 2 months. If you’re eating them straight from the freeze I recommend letting them soften up a bit in the fridge or at room temp before doing so.
More no bake snacks you’ll love
- Coconut Key Lime Pie Energy Bites
- Chia Banana Bread Energy Bites
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Toasted Quinoa, Dried Fig & Dark Chocolate Nut Free Granola Bars
- Honey Cinnamon Almond Butter Energy Bites
Get all of my no bake snacks here!
I hope you love these lemon poppy seed energy bites! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
6-Ingredient Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted soft large Medjool dates (about 10-12 large dates)
- 1 cup raw cashews
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds or chia seeds
- Optional coating:
- ½ cup fine shredded unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- If your dates aren’t super soft and gooey, soak them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes, then drain before using in the recipe.
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until ingredients are well combined and sticky. Roll into 14 balls. Next roll in shredded coconut if desired and place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Feel free to freeze these for up to 3 months. They’re actually delicious straight out of the freezer and that’s how I prefer them!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on February 12, 2024, and republished on April 17th, 2025.
These are amazing! Used half poppy seeds and half chia seeds. We all loved them!
The perfect snack for spring!
I am allergic to cashews – is there another nut that would work here?
You could try walnuts or blanched almonds!
Calling all lemon lovers! These are SO GOOD!
YES such a fun lemon snack!
I made these a couple of times adding a scoop of protein powder and just one tablespoon of coconut oil and they were enjoyed by the family. I like adding the protein powder and coconut oil after all other ingredients were mixed.
Love that! Great idea 🙂
I have been making these on repeat ever since my pregnancy and post partum and it’s been such a yummy, healthy snack that I can eat straight from the freezer! And so easy to prepare which is a must when working with 30min nap windows.. love!
So happy to hear that! Perfect snack 🙂
Didn’t have almond so I did vanilla bean and omg yum. Great snack.
Perfect!
Perfect recipe. Love the bright flavor of lemon and love that they stay a bit softer when frozen, (meaning you don’t have to wait, or break your jaw if you DONT wait, to eat one right out of the freezer! Rolling in coconut is n ex special treat.
Agreed! Such a great snack or treat.
These are delicious! I added the vanilla protein powder and coconut oil. I left out the almond extract but didn’t realize I was out of coconut until I’d already committed to making them. They’re really sticky and I was just going to leave them in a pan and spoon them out on the fly but my husband suggested rolling them in rice crispy cereal and it worked great. Plus we liked the added crunch.
Great idea and way to save them! Sounds delicious 🙂
The lemon-poppyseed energy bites are lovely! Very easy to make, and your recipe was exactly right for the perfect texture and servings.
I will definitely be exploring this website further!
Amazing! Glad you loved them 🙂 Hope you find more recipes here to try!
Can you suggest other nuts to use if I’m out of cashews?
Hi! I think almonds or walnuts could work – let me know if you give them a try!
I loved these! This is a healthy alternative to a cookie. I made mine smaller, so it made more than 20 balls. I think they are super yummy from the fridge. Super easy, except the poppy seeds and nuts got stuck up in my food processor lid so it was a bit of a mess getting it out. I will definitely make these again!
Such a good snack or treat! The ingredients can get pretty sticky – I’d recommend scraping them down as you process.
Anything you’d recommend to replace almond extract for almond allergy? Thank you!
I suggest omitting it and just using vanilla!
These sound fantastic, especially with the almond extract! Nice to have different types of energy bites to try making.
Absolutely! Let me know if you give them a try 🙂