Chewy no-bake High Protein Peanut Butter Energy Balls are easy to make with just 5 ingredients and taste just like cookie dough! Simply combine oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, flaxseed, and honey for a delicious, satisfying snack!
Peanut Butter Energy Balls have become our new favorite healthy treat! These are such a hit that I have to double the recipe so they don’t disappear too quickly! Good thing they’re super quick and easy to make! Plus, clean up is hassle-free because you only need one bowl.
Energy bites come together with a handful of pantry staples that you probably have in your kitchen right now. As long as you’ve got rolled oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, flaxseed and honey, you can roll these up in a matter of minutes! They are so tasty too! They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth while providing you with nutrients and healthy fats to keep you full and energized for hours.
Ingredients needed
The ingredient list for this peanut butter energy balls recipe is short and sweet! Here’s a note on everything you’ll need to make them:
- Old-fashioned oats: For the best chewy texture, use old-fashioned rolled oats, and to ensure these are gluten-free, be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Peanut butter: Adds great taste and a boost of protein and healthy fats. You can swap this out for other nut butters like almond butter, sunflower seed butter or cashew butter.
- Chocolate chips: We recommend mini chocolate chips, so they disperse nicely throughout the peanut butter energy bites.
- Flaxseed: Provides a boost of healthy fats, fiber, protein, and vitamins.
- Sweetener: To make these perfectly sweet, you can mix in honey, maple syrup or agave. Be sure to use maple syrup or agave, if you want to keep them vegan.
How to make this recipe
It takes less than 10 minutes to prepare these nutritious treats! I love to have them prepped and ready in the fridge for quick snacks or even breakfast on-the-go. Here’s how easy they are to make:
- Mix ingredients: Combine the oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, flaxseed, and honey in a medium bowl. Stir until fully combined. Transfer to the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set the batter.
- Form into balls and store: Roll into 18 bite-size rolls. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Expert tips
- Chill the batter: We recommend letting the batter chill for at least 10-15 minutes before rolling the balls. This will decrease the stickiness and make balls easier to roll.
- Substitute ground flax: If you don’t have flax seed on hand, you can substitute hemp seed, chia seed, protein powder, wheat germ, or add a bit more extra rolled oats.
- Make bars: Instead of forming the batter into balls, the mixture can be pressed into a square baking dish lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate and cut into squares for energy bars.
Variations
- Nut butter: Any nut or seed butter will work but we recommend using all natural with no additives (just nuts + salt).
- Dried fruit: In the mood for fruity flavor? Swap the chocolate chips, for chopped dates, dried cranberries or raisins.
- Spices: Spice things up with the addition of ½ to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the mixture.
- Vanilla: Want to add a little vanilla flavor? You can mix in about 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
Frequently asked questions
Are energy balls good for you?
This recipe uses only 5 simple, nourishing ingredients, making these a good source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Peanut butter itself is packed with many good-for-you nutrients and is rich in antioxidants, including p-coumarin and resveratrol. These plant compounds have been associated with various health benefits in animals.
How many energy balls should you eat a day?
Just like anything else, it’s best to eat energy balls in moderation. We recommend 1 to 2 bites per day.
How much protein is in peanut butter balls?
For this particular recipe, there are 5 grams of protein in each ball. You can view additional nutritional information in the recipe card.
Storage recommendations
Peanut butter energy balls are great to meal prep because they keep fresh for so long! Make a batch on Sunday, so you’ll have a healthy snack or dessert to munch on through the week! Picky kids love these, too, so it’s a great snack for lunchboxes or after-school snacks!
- In the refrigerator: Keep energy balls stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- In the freezer: In an airtight container, these will keep fresh in the freezer for 1-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
More easy snack recipes to try
- Pumpkin Date Energy Balls
- Mango Cashew Energy Balls
- Protein Bars
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Cookies
- Peanut Butter Protein Brownies
Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 4 tablespoons honey, or maple syrup or agave
Instructions
- Combine the oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, flaxseed, and honey in a medium bowl. Stir until fully combined. Transfer to the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set the batter.
- Roll into 18 bite size rolls. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Equipment
Notes
- In the refrigerator: Keep energy balls stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- In the freezer: In an airtight container, these will keep fresh in the freezer for 1-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
