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These simple no-bake chocolate peanut butter energy balls are loaded with old-fashioned oats, peanut butter, flax seeds, honey and chocolate which make a great healthy snack.
Energy balls are super popular these days - from carrot cake balls to peanut butter energy balls. The options are endless.
They are quick to prepare and loaded with healthy fats, protein and fiber, making them a perfect snack for any time of day.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple - With just six ingredients (potentially a couple more ingredients if you want), these are super easy to prepare.
- Make-ahead - They are the perfect snack to make ahead. Just keep in the fridge for a week.
- Healthy - You get the nutrients from the oats as well as the peanut butter and flaxseeds.
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Recipe Ingredients
- Old-fashioned oats - Rolled oats provide fiber and help bind the mixture together. Ensure they are certified gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
- Peanut butter - Use natural peanut butter without added sugars or hydrogenated oils for a healthier option..
- Ground flax seeds - Adds extra fiber and omega-3 fatty acids and helps absorb excess moisture, improving the texture.
- Dark chocolate chips - The more chocolate flavor the better.
- Honey - Adds sweetness but also helps bind the mixture. Use pure, high-quality honey for the best flavor.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder adds the chocolate flavor to the energy balls.
- Chia seeds - Adds a ton of nutrients.
- Vanilla extract - A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the energy balls.
Ingredient Swaps
As with any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients if you prefer. Some variations include:
- They are called chocolate peanut butter energy balls for a reason, but you can use almond butter or cashew butter. Even sunflower seed butter if you are allergic to nuts.
- Dark chocolate chips are used for additional chocolate flavor, but peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips are good substitutes.
- You can use maple syrup instead of honey for the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix until just combined.
Cover and place in fridge for 30 minutes. Use a cookie scoop to scoop out 12 balls. You'll have to use your hands to squeeze together so they stay together.
Place in an airtight container in the fridge and keep for up to a week.
FAQs
Energy balls are one of the best ways to start the day or have as a snack. There are a ton of benefits, including:
• High in fiber, which keeps you full long
• Rich in antioxidants, which can help lower blood pressure
• High in protein
• Has healthy carbs which helps boost energy
• Lower cholesterol
• Help lose weight
That's not a problem. If you have some chocolate protein powder, just substitute that for the cocoa powder. You can also mix and match and do half protein powder and have cocoa powder as an example.
Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until they form without falling apart. You can also use honey but it will just be sweeter.
Yes. Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8x8 baking pan. Chill for 30 minutes and then slice into bars.
You can keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a week, but I prefer to keep them in the fridge so they keep their form.
You can also freeze for up to 3 months.
Equipment
The equipment you use is important to how the energy balls turn out. What is needed is the following:
- Large bowl - Need a bowl to be able to mix together the ingredients.
- Wooden spoon - Used to mix everything together.
- Cookie scoop - Helps get an even amount of mixture to form into balls.
- Baking sheet - Used to put the energy balls on so they harden.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use old-fashioned oats as they are heartier than quick cooking oats.
- Use quality dark chocolate. If you want dairy-free, try Enjoy Life.
- If you don't want to use or have honey, replace it with maple syrup.
- Use natural cocoa powder vs Dutch-processed cocoa powder as natural cocoa powder isn't as intense of a flavor.
- If mixture is dry, stir in water 1 tbsp at a time until you can easily form balls without them falling apart.
- Place the energy balls in the fridge for at least 15 minutes so they can set up and stay firm.
Other Snack/Breakfast Recipes
If you’ve tried these chocolate peanut butter energy balls or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon water (if needed)
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If mixture looks dry, add water 1 tablespoon at a time. Cover and place fridge for 15-30 minutes.
- Roll into 12 bites and store in fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned oats as they are heartier than quick cooking oats.
- Use quality dark chocolate. If you want dairy-free, try Enjoy Life.
- If you don't want to use or have honey, replace it with maple syrup.
- Use natural cocoa powder vs Dutch-processed cocoa powder as natural cocoa powder isn't as intense of a flavor.
- If mixture is dry, stir in water 1 tbsp at a time until you can easily form balls without them falling apart.
- Place the energy balls in the fridge for at least 15 minutes so they can set up and stay firm.
Anthony S. says
Yummy and simple to make!
Chris says
Amazing!