This easy Energy Balls recipe makes the perfect healthy snack, made with whole grain oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and coconut. Whip up a big batch in just 5 minutes, and make extra to freeze for later.
Looking for more healthy snacks? Try my Banana Oat Muffins, Carrot Muffins, Applesauce, or No Bake Granola Bars!
Why I love this healthy snack:
- No Bake – Only 5 minutes to make and all you need is a bowl!
- Adaptable – Use this recipe as your base and substitute any of your favorite ingredients! I like to include chopped almonds, raisins, craisins, or butterscotch chips. The options are endless, and you can use a different nut butter or swap it out for sunflower butter if needed for allergies.
- Grab-and-Go – Keep them in the fridge for any snacking emergency or simply grab a few on your way out the door!
Ingredients in Energy Balls:
- Oats:Â This energy ball recipe is made with both rolled oats and steel cut oats, which add a fun crunch and an extra dose of healthy grains full of fiber and protein. The steel coat oats are not cooked before hand, but will soften once combined with the other ingredients and refrigerated.
- Coconut. Any kind, sweetened or unsweetened.
- Crispy Rice cereal. Rice Krispies or any off-brand work well. You could even use crushed rice chex.
- Ground Flax seeds: The flax seeds are a great source of omega-3, protein and fiber,
- Peanut Butter: or your other favorite nutter butter, or sunflower butter for nut-free energy bites.
- Chocolate Chips. Because everything tastes better with a handful of chocolate chips.
- Honey. This is (along with peanut butter) is the major binding ingredient. Add more honey if your energy balls seem dry or crumbly. You can substitute agave.
- Vanilla Extract.
How to make Energy Balls:
- Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well incorporated.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before forming into balls. (If the mixture isn’t holding together well enough you can add a little more nut butter or honey to help it bind).
- Form into balls. I like to use a cookie scoop to make 1-2 inch uniform balls and gently roll them with my hands. Wet your hands with water or spray them lightly with cooking spray for easier rolling.
- Serve, refrigerate, or freeze. See more freezing directions below.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Store no bake energy balls covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, depending on freshness of your ingredients.
To Freeze: Make energy bites then place in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or at room temperature.
Recipe Variations:
- Add dried fruit: dates, raisins, or anything you like.
- Higher protein:Â If you’re looking for extra high protein balls, add 1 scoop of protein powder (any flavor) and about 1 Tablespoon more honey to ensure they aren’t dry or crumbly.
- Add nuts: Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
- Without flaxseed:Â Replace flaxseed with an extra ½ cup oats or cereal.
- Nut Butter: Swap out the peanut butter for almond butter or any nut butter. You may also use sunflower butter for anyone with a nut allergy!
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Recipe
Energy Balls
This easy Energy Balls recipe makes the perfect healthy snack, made with whole grain oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and coconut.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies or crushed rice chex)
- 1 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1 cup ground flaxseed
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before forming into 1-2 inch balls. (If the mixture isn’t holding together well enough you can add a little more nut butter or honey to help it bind). Keep refrigerated for an easy snack on the go.
- Feel free to include other “add-ins” like chopped almonds, raisins, etc.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, depending on freshness of your ingredients.Â
Notes
Freezing Instructions: Make energy bites then place in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or at room temperature.
Variations:
- Add dried fruit: dates, raisins, or anything you like.
- Higher protein: add 1 scoop of protein powder (any flavor) and about 1 Tablespoon more honey to ensure they aren’t dry or crumbly.
- Add nuts: Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
- Without flaxseed:Â Replace flaxseed with an extra ½ cup oats or cereal.
- Nut Butter: Swap out the peanut butter for almond butter or any nut butter. You may also use sunflower butter for anyone with a nut allergy!
Nutrition
Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 37mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 55IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.9mg
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I originally shared this recipe March 2017. Updated July 2020 and January 2022.
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Hi! Would using maple syrup instead of honey work okay so it could be safe for my toddler and my baby under age 1?
Yes, that should work! It may change the consistency a little but will still be delicious!