These Chocolate Energy Balls with oatmeal and peanut butter are a delicious and healthy no bake treat. They are packed with protein, easy to make, and perfect for a snack or breakfast on the go.
If you’re looking for more energy ball recipes, you can also try these Coconut Peanut Butter Balls, Chia Oatmeal Energy Balls, or these No Bake Nutella Balls. And if you’re looking for a fun variation for fall, try these Protien Pumpkin Balls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Energy Boosting: Made with oats, nut butter, and protein powder to keep you full.
- Chocolatey: Three types of chocolate in each bite for major flavor.
- No Bake and & Quick: Mix, roll and enjoy in under 15 minutes-no oven required.
- Perfect for On-The-Go: An easy and portable snack for work, school, or the gym.
Chocolate Energy Balls
I love having these energy-packed chocolate peanut butter oat balls on hand. I’ve made them in the past to help me get through some no sugar challenges and also for a sweet pick-me-up in the afternoon.
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My sister-in-law gave me her favorite recipe last summer, and my kids loved them. This is a modified version of her recipe.
The great thing about this recipe is that it can easily be adjusted. If I give my kids a couple of options and they get to help create the recipe, they love them even more! You can let me add their favorite dried fruit, some mini M&Ms, or their favorite chopped nuts.
Here’s a picture of the small coffee grinder I use to grind things like nuts, flax seeds, and raw cacao nibs. It’s super handy to have on hand. Of course you can purchase these things all ready to go but I had some of the ingredients on hand so I used those.
Key Ingredients
- Rolled Oats: rolled oats are really the best base for power balls because they can hold a little moisture without getting soggy. I like to pulse mine in a blender or food processor to break them down a little. It gives the Energy ball more of a raw cookie dough texture.
- Peanut Butter: Just about any nut butter will do here. You can use almond butter, or cashew butter, but my favorite is definitely peanut butter. You can also use a combination of nut butter. That’s the great thing about this recipe, you can easily swap out ingredients or add an extra one if you have it on hand.
- Sticky liquid sweetener: For the sweetener, I like to use honey but it’s also really easy to use pure maple syrup, Agave, or Medjool dates. You can use 3-4 dates in place of half the honey. If you want to use dates, just be sure to soak them overnight or for several hours at least so they can be very soft when you blend them up. You will probably want to do half dates and half honey if you’re using dates. You’ll need a little honey to hold everything together.
- Custom Mix-Ins: There are so many options here. This is where my kids love to have an opinion. Some of the mix-ins we love to use are cocoa nibs, mini M&Ms, raisins, chia seeds, and chopped dried fruit.
How To Make Chocolate Energy Balls
- Grind ingredients. Grind your oats, flax seed, and cocoa nibs in a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder. (Note: I recommend grinding them separately)
- Mix the energy balls. In a large mixing bowl, add the ground oats, rice krispies, ground flax seeds, peanut butter, protein powder, chocolate chips, ground cacao nibs, honey, and maple syrup. Mix until it resembles a dry cookie dough.
- Scoop. Scoop using a small cookie scoop and lightly pack each ball together. They should stay in a ball and not break. If it’s a little dry, add some honey or coconut oil. (Note: it helps to use coconut oil on your hands so they don’t stick)
- Store or enjoy. Place on a baking sheet or in airtight containers and store in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Power Balls
- Use Creamy Nut Butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter help bind everything together.
- Chill the Dough: If the mixture is sticky, chill 15-20 minutes for easier rolling.
- Coat your Hands: Use a little coconut oil to keep the protein balls from sticking to your hands.
- Store Properly: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months. Line your container with parchment or wax paper. It’ll keep the balls from sticking.
- Adjust Consistency: Too dry? Add a splash of water. Too wet? Add more oats or protein powder.
- Bite Sized: I used a cookie scoop to scoop the dough. It worked amazingly well. I used a tablespoon and a half scoop, and it’s the perfect bite-size.
Recipe Variations
- Dairy Free: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and plant-based protein.
- Nut Free: Swap nut butter for sunflower seed or soy nut butter. For a sweet treat, cookie butter can also be substituted.
- Coconut Lover: Stir in shredded coconut for tropical flavor.
- Extra Crunch: Roll in mini chocolate chips, crushed nuts, or cocoa nibs.
- Mocha: Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the mix for a coffee boost.
- Fruity: Mix in dried cherries, cranberries, or raisins for a sweet-tart twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Energy balls go by many names: energy bites, protein balls, powerballs, and vegan truffles. They are bite sized snacks that are typically packed with protein, and therefore energy! They are a no bake treat that is easy to make and customize with all sorts of different add-ins.
This particular version is not gluten free because they contain rice krispies. Feel free to skip the rice krispies and add a little extra oatmeal and these will be gluten free!
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to store in single layers with parchment or wax paper separating so that they don’t stick.
- Freezer: power balls can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months, with layers of parchment or wax paper separating them so that they don’t stick.
More Snack Recipes You’ll Love
Chocolate Oatmeal Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, ground in a food processor until about 1/3 the size
- 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
- 1/4 cup cacao nibs , ground
- 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons chocolate protein powder
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Grind your oats, flax seed, and cocoa nibs separately in a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, then add the Rice Krispies, peanut butter, protein powder, chocolate chips, honey, and maple syrup. Mix until it resembles a dry cookie dough.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop balls and lightly pack them together. They should stay in a ball and not break. If it's a little dry, add some honey or coconut oil.
- Place on a baking sheet or in airtight containers and store in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
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More Easy Snack Ideas
- Hard Boiled Eggs
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Energy balls are a delicious and healthy treat! No-bake energy balls are easy and perfect for a snack or breakfast on the go. I especially love to send them with my kids to sports practice and games.
