Oat Energy Balls/Cookie Dough (Pre-Endurance Fuel Recipe)

Looking for the perfect snack to fuel your long runs, bike rides, or endurance workouts? These Date-Banana Oat Energy Balls are loaded with natural carbs from dates, bananas, oats, and honey, giving you both fast and sustained energy. They’re light, portable, and digest easily — exactly what you need before endurance training.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Carb-packed – bananas, dates, and oats give you the fuel you need for rides and workouts.

• Quick & easy – a no-bake recipe you can whip up in 15 minutes.

• Customizable – add Ube powder, chia seeds, or chocolate chips to mix it up.

• Portable – great for on-the-go snacking before or during workouts.

You can alter this recipe with some hydration hacks — like adding a pinch of sea salt or a scoop of electrolyte powder — to replace what’s lost in sweat and keep your endurance strong. I also like to add Ube (purple sweet potato) powder for extra carbs, antioxidants, and a fun color twist.

Ingredients

(Makes ~12 balls)

• ½ cup rolled oats

• 4 Medjool dates, pitted

• 1 medium ripe banana

• 2 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)

• 1 tbsp honey

• Pinch of sea salt

• Optional: 1 scoop Ube (purple sweet potato) powder, sea or Himalayan salt, or honey

Instructions

1. Add oats to a food processor and pulse until slightly broken down.

2. Soak dates for 5-10 min hot water. When soft, drain and add pitted dates to food processor or blender, blending into a sticky paste.

3. In a bowl, mash banana and stir in peanut butter, honey, salt, and (optional) Ube powder.

4. Mix in oats and dates until a sticky dough forms.

5. Roll into 1-inch balls with damp hands.

6. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.

Storage

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 5–6 days.

• Freeze up to 2 months.

• Great to pack for rides, hikes, or quick gym fuel.

Nutrition (per ball, ~12 balls or a medium bowl of “cookie dough”)

• Calories: ~70

• Carbs: 12g

• Protein: 1.5g

• Fat: 1.5g

Best Times to Eat

• 30–60 min before a ride for fast-digesting energy.

• During long rides as a portable fuel option.

• Post-workout with a protein shake for balanced recovery.

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