Ingredients
Scale
For the Energy Balls:
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- ½-¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Optional Mix-Ins (choose 1-2):
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ¼ cup chopped nuts
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- Prepare Workspace: Line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and well combined. If peanut butter is very stiff, microwave for 15-20 seconds to soften.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add rolled oats and salt to the peanut butter mixture. Stir with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula until all oats are completely coated. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in chocolate chips and any optional mix-ins you’re using. Stir until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended): For easier rolling, refrigerate the mixture for 15-30 minutes. This firms up the peanut butter and honey, making rolling much easier. You can skip this if you’re in a hurry.
- Roll into Balls: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out about 1-1½ tablespoons of mixture. Roll between your palms to form smooth balls. Place on the prepared parchment-lined sheet.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate energy balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up before eating. They’ll be soft at room temperature but will firm beautifully when chilled.
- Store: Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Natural peanut butter works best—stir well before using if oil has separated.
- If mixture is too dry and won’t hold together, add more peanut butter 1 tablespoon at a time.
- If mixture is too wet and won’t form balls, add more oats 2 tablespoons at a time.
- Chilling before rolling makes the process much easier and less messy.
- Energy balls firm up significantly when refrigerated—they’re meant to be eaten cold.
- Use certified gluten-free oats if making for celiac diet.
- For nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 energy ball
- Calories: 125
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg