No bake energy balls pack in protein, fiber, and healthy fats along with added chocolate chips and shredded coconut for great flavor! Energy balls are an easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack that are easy to prep in advance.
Why this recipe works
No bake energy balls are easy to make with 7 ingredients – creamy peanut butter, honey, vanilla, rolled oats, coconut, flaxseed meal, and chocolate chips. This versatile recipe can be customized to suit your taste, take our cherry cheesecake energy bites for inspiration!
Flaxseed is considered a nutritional powerhouse. It’s high in fibre, Omega-3 fatty acids, and protein which keeps you feeling full and energized throughout the day. Topple that on top of the protein from the peanut butter and sweetness of the chocolate chips, coconut, and honey, these no bake energy bites really do have it all!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
PEANUT BUTTER – You can substitute with almond butter, sunflower butter, or cashew butter and still get delicious results.
HONEY – Works as a binding agent along with the peanut butter, while adding a touch of sweetness.
COCONUT – Feel free to toast the shredded coconut for additional flavor. You can use sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut. If you would like to omit the coconut, add more old-fashioned rolled oats in its place to keep the mixture a bit more stable.
FLAXSEED – The flaxseed meal is typically available in your local grocery store with the specialty flours like almond flour, coconut flour, or gluten free flour. The consistency of flaxseed meal is soft and easy to mix in to the energy balls. The flavor is also more subtle than using whole flaxseeds. Flaxseed meal is an excellent source of protein.
How to Make No Bake Energy Balls
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the “dough” and roll between your palms to form the energy balls.
- Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Yes, absolutely. To do so, simply press the dough mixture into a parchment-lined baking pan, chill, and cut into bars instead.
Store your energy balls in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Yes, you can freeze them. To freeze, place the energy balls in an air-tight container or large ziptop bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
You can customize these no bake energy balls in so many different ways. Feel free to add in cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth, or try adding cranberries, raisins, M&Ms, or chopped dried fruit for more texture and flavor.
More Healthy Snack Recipes
- Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Apple Chips
- Cranberry Breakfast Bites
- Mexican Style Summer Rolls
- Easy Homemade Fruit Roll Ups
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No Bake Energy Balls
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened. optionally toasted
- ¼ cup flaxseed meal
- ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Things You’ll Need
- Cookie scoop or 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon
Before You Begin
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months – use airtight containers to keep energy balls sealed.
- You can substitute with almond butter, sunflower butter, or cashew butter and still get delicious results.
- You don’t have to mix the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla first, but I feel like it helps combine those ingredients more evenly so that it’s easier once you start stirring in the bulky ingredients.
- Refrigerating for 30 minutes before rolling the balls gives the ingredients a little time to bind together and soften the oats. You can also make rough scoops of the “dough” and lay it out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet then refrigerate and then give them a quick roll between your palms.
- The flaxseed meal is typically available in your local grocery store with the specialty flours like almond flour, coconut flour, or gluten free flour. The consistency of flaxseed meal is soft and easy to mix in to the energy balls. The flavor is also more subtle than using whole flaxseeds. Flaxseed meal is an excellent source of protein.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the “dough” and roll between your palms to form the energy balls.
- Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Emily says
Never made anything like these before, but was doing some baking for school staff & some have New Year’s resolutions 👍
Used almond butter & added about 2/3 cup crushed rice Chex for crunch, used unsweetened coconut due to the honey + additional sugar in my brand of almond butter. They turned out beautifully and my kiddos approved (my taste testers)
Will definitely make these again!
Shyann Bonner says
Turned out very well! I don’t like coconut, so I used sliced almonds and added a tad bit more peanut butter for the change. It was really good! Thank you!
Whitney Matherly says
Can you replace the coconut with something else or just leave it out
Amanda Formaro says
We have not tried it, but believe that if you leave out the coconut it should be fine.
Romina says
This is a great recipe, we love it. Instead of making ball , I put it in a loaf tray and cut it into small bars. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Teresa Schumaker says
I make a version just like this only with a granola mix. I put this granola mix that includes flaxseed, sunflower seeds and walnuts in the blender to chop everything to a course consistency, then I add the honey, peanutbutter, and chocolate chips. Everyone I know loves them.
Nancy says
Is there anything you van roll them in to not be sticky?
Amanda Formaro says
They are sticky when you first mix them up. They lose the stickiness once they chill for 30 minutes. They’re remarkably un-sticky, actually. We stored them all stacked together in a container and they didn’t stick to each other. They’re not dry, but not sticky. Does require the chill time though. The flaxseed meal I think soaks up a lot so if you left that out, I’d guess they’d be more sticky. Or maybe if you used super processed oats.
Wanda says
Can you make these gluten free?
Amanda Formaro says
These are gluten free.
Glenda Shearman says
Would love to try these, but being diabetic, I can’t have the honey. Is there something else I can substitute instead of honey?
Amanda Formaro says
Here are honey substitutes recommended by the Diabetic Council https://www.thediabetescouncil.com/5-substitutes-for-honey/
Anna says
I’m definitely going to try this energy balls
Ty