Triple Chocolate Oatmeal Energy Bites

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls 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.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

I love having these energy-packed chocolate oatmeal 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. 

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 You’ll Need

• 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

1. Grind ingredients. Grind your oats, flax seed, and cocoa nibs in a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder. (Note: I recommend grinding them separately)
2. 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.
3. 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)
4. Store or enjoy. Place on a baking sheet or in airtight containers and store in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Use a food processor to break up the oats a little. The energy balls will hold together better if the oats are a little smaller.
• Use at least half honey and then you can experiment with other liquid sweeteners like maple syrup, agave, and Medjool dates.
• The mix-ins are the fun part.  Do whatever you or your kids like!  Get them in the kitchen rolling the balls. That’s the fun and messy part.
• Use a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil on your hands.  Use about a teaspoon at a time. Use it liberally.  It will help keep the balls together and the sticky mess off your fingers, and it’s good for you!
• I like to keep the balls in the refrigerator or freezer.  I store them in a Tupperware container to keep them fresh and ready to throw into a sack lunch or a soccer bag for practice.
• Line your container with parchment or wax paper.  It’ll keep the balls from sticking.
• If your energy balls seem a little sticky, just add some more ground flaxseed or oatmeal.  If your balls aren’t sticking together, add some honey or agave.
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing Instructions

• 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 Easy Snack Ideas

• Coconut Power Balls
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Chia Power Balls
• Veggie Cups
• Mini Cheesecake 
• Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
• Berry Salad
• Cucumber Salad
• Applesauce Muffins 
• Ravioli
• Mini Blueberry Bread
• Bean Dip
• Potato Rounds
• More Appetizers
• More Easy Meals

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.