These no bake energy balls are easy to make in one bowl with just 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time. They’re the perfect heathy snack to meal prep for the week!
I’ve been a fan of energy balls for years, and they’re still one of my go-to meal prep recipes. I pretty much always have a batch of these peanut butter energy balls in the fridge because they’re easy to make, perfect for grab-and-go snacks and so satisfying.
These energy balls are similar to my protein balls, but this recipe doesn’t have protein powder, which is perfect for those of you who don’t love protein powder or if you’re making them for kiddos. My kids gobble these up whenever I make them! And when they’re in school I’ll make my SunButter energy bites (for a nut-free option) and pack 1-2 in their school lunch boxes.
Why You’ll Love These Energy Balls
- Easy to make – You only need 1 bowl, 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time!
- Versatile – These little energy bites can be eaten any time of the day! Need a snack between work calls? Energy ball. A little something before your workout? Energy ball. Craving something sweet but want to keep it healthy-ish? Energy ball.
- Healthy – They’re packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, flaxseed, coconut, peanut butter, and just the right touch of sweetness.
- Portable – The balls hold together well so you can easily toss a few in your bag for school/work or as a travel snack during road trips.
- Kid-friendly – Kids love these no bake energy balls, especially since they have chocolate chips in them. And this is such a great recipe to involve your kids in. You can put them in charge of measuring, dumping, stirring or rolling into balls depending on how old and independent they are.
- No protein powder – These balls have a decent amount of protein (3 grams per ball) without having to add protein powder. I get a lot of questions about making my protein balls without protein powder and this is the recipe I direct them to.
// ★★★★★ Review //
“One of the few no-bake energy ball recipes that is actually super easy to make and tastes amazing! I’ve made it for friends and family and everyone always loves it.” – James
Ingredients Needed
The cool part about this recipe is that it only requires 8 simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have sitting in your pantry.
- old fashioned rolled oats – rolled oats are the best type of oat to use for these energy balls! Oats are naturally gluten-free, but often cross contaminated so make sure to grab certified gluten free oats if needed. My fave brand is Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats.
- natural peanut butter – look for a brand with just one or two ingredients (peanuts and salt). Also, try to use peanut butter that’s creamy and drippy. It can be hard to mix when you have a more “solid” or “dry” nut butter, so I recommend finding a runny nut butter. Some of my favorite brands are Crazy Richard’s peanut butter and 365 organic creamy peanut butter.
- honey – the glue that binds these no bake energy balls together.
- unsweetened shredded coconut – be sure to get unsweetened shredded coconut, not the sweetened coconut.
- chocolate chips – You can use any type you like, but I usually go for dark mini chocolate chips from Lily’s or Enjoy Life. Both of these options are dairy-free.
- ground flaxseed meal – I add flaxseed in to boost the nutrition, but this is an optional ingredient. Add it if you have it in your pantry and skip it if you don’t!
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
Recipe Substitutions
This recipe is really forgiving and works well with a lot of different substitutions. Here are some common subs I get asked about often:
- Oats: I’m pretty sure quick oats would work as a sub for rolled oats if that’s all you have on hand.
- Honey: Swap for maple syrup to make these vegan.
- Coconut: You can sub 2-3 Tablespoons more rolled oats for the shredded coconut if you don’t love coconut.
- Flaxseed: You can sub chia seeds for the flaxseed or omit the flaxseed all together.
- Swap the peanut butter: Can be swapped for another nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter. For a nut-free option try sunflower seed butter or tahini. Just be sure your nut butter is fresh (kind of drippy) and not super thick/dry. Thick or dry nut butters will make the energy balls dry and they won’t hold together very well.
- Use a different mix-in: The chocolate chips can be left out or subbed for another add-in like raisins, dried cranberries or blueberries.
How to Make No Bake Energy Balls
Most energy balls need a food processor to mix up… not these! The idea for these energy balls came to me because I wanted to share a simple recipe that you could make if you don’t have a food processor. It just requires one bowl and about 10 minutes of prep time. Here’s how to make this energy balls recipe:
Step 1: Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Place the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes to chill.
Step 2: Once the dough has chilled, bring the dough out of the fridge and roll into balls, using about 1 Tablespoon for each.
Brittany’s Tips!
- Use runny nut butter. Want to make energy balls that are super moist and delicious, rather than dry and crumbly? The secret is to use runny nut butter. These nut butters are smoother and more liquid than thicker nut butters which will help bind the mixture together and add moisture to the balls.
- Add a splash of liquid if needed. If your peanut butter energy balls do end up being too dry or crumble you can add a splash of water or milk to the mixture to help bind the ingredients together and make it easier for rolling into balls!
- Chill the dough: I do recommend chilling the dough! It makes it much easier to roll the mixture into balls without it sticking to your hands. That said, if you’re short on time, you can roll the dough into energy balls right away. Just note, that the mixture might be sticky!
- Use a cookie scoop. Shaping the balls is a breeze with a cookie scoop! This handy tool will help you portion out the mixture evenly and create balls that are all the same size.
- Wet your hands: If the mixture is still sticky when rolling, try wetting your hands slightly or lightly spraying them with cooking spray for a smoother process.
How to Store Energy Balls
At room temperature: Energy balls can be stored at room temperature for a few days, but they may become softer and less firm over time. To store them at room temperature, place them in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or in a warm environment.
In the fridge: These balls can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. To store them in the fridge, place the energy bites in an airtight container. I like using glass storage containers or Stasher bags for storing protein balls.
In the freezer: Store these balls in the freezer for up to 3 months. To store them in the freezer, place in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag and seal it tightly. Label the container or bag with the date. When you’re ready to enjoy a protein ball, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! There is no dairy, flour, refined sugar or artificial ingredients in these no bake energy balls. Plus, one ball is packed with 3 grams of protein each, so they’re definitely healthy in my book!
If your energy ball dough is dry or crumbly it might mean that your nut butter was on the drier side. Just add a splash of water or milk to help bind the mixture together before rolling.
Definitely! There’s no protein powder in them and kids love the chocolate chips in them. These energy bites are a great snack option for lunchboxes or after school.
More Energy Ball Recipes
And be sure to check out all of the healthy snack recipes here on EBF.
This post was originally published on August 30, 2020 and republished on January 23, 2025.
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