Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Also known as no-bake cookie bites. Also known as my favorite peanut butter oat balls with cocoa powder added to them. Also known as outrageously delicious balls of joy. If you’re looking for more ways to eat chocolate and peanut butter every day, I’ve got you covered. These energy balls are made with 7 simple ingredients, yet end up tasting like a fudgy no-bake cookie. You know the ones from the 90s that people would plop onto a cookie sheet, stick in the fridge to firm up, then call them no-bake cookies? I think they were just made with oats, powdered sugar, melted chocolate chips and butter. These are like those, only less processed and clearly more fun as they’re BALLS and you know how I feel about small, round snacks. THE BEST. 

I specifically made these balls because I was:

1. craving chocolate (what else is new), and

2. about to leave for a camping trip/ needed some portable snacks for the trails. 

I was also thinking these would be another great addition to the back-to-school snack rotation, or a satisfying snack to have in the fridge for after work/school. They might even pass for a suitable sweet treat after dinner in your house, depending on how sweet you like your desserts. What I’m really trying to say is, you’re going to want to eat these all day, every day. There’s no wrong time to snack on chocolate and peanut butter. 

These are easy to make and undetectably good for you. To make these fudgy, chocolatey balls, all you need is peanut butter, oats, honey (or maple/agave), cocoa powder, chopped dark chocolate, vanilla, and salt. Stir it all up, portion out the balls, and roll them between your palms. Voila! You could even roll them in rainbow sprinkles, chopped peanuts, or cacao nibs for a bit of texture and fun. Clearly I was in too much of a rush to eat them to consider my rolling options. 

I really loved these plain, but in a few batches I decided to boost the nutrients and healing power of these balls with additions like cinnamon, turmeric, maca, chia seeds, hemp seeds, or subbing raw cacao powder for the cocoa. If you happen to have any of those ingredients on hand, feel free to add a sprinkle of your favorites into the batter.

 I’m not being overly dramatic when I say these are my favorite balls yet, and I think you’re going to fall in love with them too! If you’re pantry is anything like mine, I bet you already have all the ingredients you need to make these today. Heck, they’re so simple even your kids could handle making them. Be warned: they might just eat all the batter before it turns into balls. I almost did. ?

If you try out these chocolate peanut butter balls, let me know! Leave a comment below or tag me #bakedgreens on Instagram so I can be reminded to eat more chocolate and peanut butter. Not that I would forget. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls (Vegan/Gluten-Free/Refined Sugar Free)

Chelsea Colbath

A quick, easy, nutritious snack loaded with chocolate and peanut butter.

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Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter (the kind that's just peanuts and salt)
• 1/4 cup honey maple syrup, or agave
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips optional, but delicious
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

 

• 1. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl, and stir with a wooden spoon until fully combined.
• 2. Using a mini-ice cream scoop, a tablespoon, or your hands, portion out the dough into 18 equal pieces. Roll between the palms of your hands to form smooth balls.
• 3. These can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days, but will last in the fridge for over a week.

Notes

Make sure to choose gluten-free oats if feeding these to people with an allergy. To keep these fully vegan, use maple syrup or agave.

Adapted from My Peanut Butter Oat Balls