~ Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Energy Balls that taste like edible, no-bake cookie dough! Ridiculously good, and so quick and easy! Filled with nuts, flax and oats for sustained energy. Like all our energy bites, these freeze really well and are a great make-ahead to keep in the freezer for emergency snack attacks! (Originally published as Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Snack Bites) ~
This Recipe Is: • Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Healthy Cookie Dough?
You gotta be kidding me! Really? Cookie dough that’s healthy???
Oh, yeah!
When we chose the Quick and Healthy Snack Bites to be our first recipe, we didn’t realize what a major hit they would be – both in our own homes and with lots of our THK readers!
They’re incredibly easy to make, freeze great, and are super portable for ultimate grab-and-go convenience. We especially love that these tasty little nuggets are loaded with whole grains, protein and other goodies that keep your energy levels sky high even when life gets really busy!
We’ve made so many Energy Balls for our families that our poor little fingers are tired and sore! We’re kinda wondering if we should focus our attention on patenting a machine to mass produce these babies. Nah … we’re having too much fun playing in the kitchen!
Honestly, once we all got hooked on this awesome concept – a fantastic alternative to store-bought, pre-packaged snacks – we were just so excited to test more yummy flavor combinations.
These Cookie Dough Snack Bites are another of the top picks among THK taste-testers (who are … ummm … well … of course, our families!).
These remind us a little bit of Derby Pie (and our Kentucky Derby Chocolate-Pecan Cookie Bars), or maybe oatmeal-chocolate chip cookie dough (hence the name!). Either way, they’re delicious enough to be called dessert, but healthy enough to be an energy-rich snack.
When it comes to our taste-testers, these rank right up there with our original Quick and Healthy Snack Bites and our Tropical Snack Bites with Almonds and Chia. Really – our families can’t pick a favorite!
We’d love to know which one you love best, so head for the kitchen to give this new version a try!
How to Make Our Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
Step 1
To get started, place a cup of pecans in a mini food processor (we like to use the smallest, “mini” container in our Ninja processor set).
Whir them up for just a couple of minutes, scraping down the sides once or twice. You want to get your pecans to the consistency and texture of natural peanut butter. You’ll end up with about ½ cup of pecan butter from the 1 cup of pecans.
Step 2
Transfer the pecan butter to a medium-sized bowl and add the oats, flax, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and sea salt. Give it all a good mix and then add your chocolate chips and the coconut (if you’re using it). One more good mix, and then …
Step 3
You just shape this delicious concoction into one-inch balls. (Or, just grab a spoon and enjoy! We’d be lying if we said we’d never done it!)
Make-Ahead and Freezable!
Like our other Snack Bites, these chocolate chip energy bites are no bakes and freeze beautifully, so it’s a great, easy, idea to make a double- or triple-batch all at once and stock up for those hectic moments.
Don’t worry if you don’t have time to stand around forming a double- or triple-size batch of tiny balls … just shape as many Energy Bites as you need right at the moment, and then stash the bowl in the fridge until you have some extra time on your hands! (Hint: We usually find that time once the kids are in bed!)
What’s Your Pick?
We weren’t kidding when we said that our families can’t choose a favorite from among all our Energy Ball recipes. (We may have to look for better, more decisive taste-testers!) So, we’re throwing this one to you, friends … which of our energy bites reign supreme at your house? Is it our:
- “Cookie Dough” Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
- Granola Energy Balls
- “Almond Joy” Almond Butter Energy Balls
- “Peanut Butter Cup” Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- Walnut Oatmeal Energy Balls
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls
- Tropical Date Energy Balls with Chia Seeds
Hmmmmm … decisions, decisions … We can’t wait to hear your picks!
And, while you’re at it – feel free to chime in with any ideas you have for new, yummy flavors! Just head down to our comments box and weigh in …
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
These healthy cookie dough energy balls are ridiculously good, and so quick and easy (no baking)! They're full of nuts, flax and oats for sustained energy. And, like all our Snack Bites recipes, they freeze great!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- a pinch (about 1/16 teaspoon) sea salt
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut, optional
Instructions
- Place 1 cup pecans in a mini food processor (we like to use the smallest, “mini” container in our Ninja processor set). Process, scraping the sides occasionally, until the pecans have reached a consistency similar to natural peanut butter. You should end up with approximately 1/2 cup of "pecan butter."
- Place pecan butter in a medium bowl and add oats, flax, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut (if using). Stir again, just until chips and coconut are evenly distributed.
- Using your hands, press firmly to form one-inch balls.
- Place in air-tight container and refrigerate until serving.
Notes
Freezing: These freeze well, and will thaw in about 20 minutes.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 servings Serving Size: 2 ballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 138Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 22mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
Well, my kids have flown the coop-which means my husband and I would have to eat them all. Shucks!
Sounds like you’re totally in luck! (I always have to share mine!) No worries, though – they keep great in the fridge and last really well in the freezer, if by chance you find you have extras. Even when my kids aren’t around, Snack Bites are my own personal go-to on busy days when I’m going a million directions with no time to eat! ~Shelley
We have family arriving from England with young children. I think these snackies would be a hit!
Wow! How exciting to have family in from so far away! If all of our many American Snack Bite fans are a good indication, then the Brits will love these! Have fun! ~G&S
Hello, perfect snack! I love anything involving chocolate chips. 🙂
Hey, Kiersten! Thanks for stopping by! Yeah – these have all the yumminess of chocolate chips, nestled in amongst tons of healthy grains and protein! Mmmmmm … so good! Hope you enjoy! ~G&S
I love the idea of a fiber rich snack. 😀 I’m always trying to find new ways to incorporate more fiber into my families diet. I usually “hide” it in foods. Now, my husband loves oatmeal chocolate chip cookies so, I’m thinking he would like these. How is the texture…soft or firm?
Yeah – these Snack Bites are loaded with fiber and protein to keep you full and powered up! My husband grabs three or four snack bites as he rushes out the door to work and says they keep him feeling better and more energized throughout the day than any other breakfast! Plus, there’s no need to hide the fiber here – these taste awesome! Hmmmmm … regarding texture … I guess I would say they’re pretty firm. You can control the texture somewhat depending on if they’re at room temp, or if you’ve just pulled them out of the fridge (or the freezer – they’re yummy frozen, too!). Snack Bites are definitely more soft at room temperature and firm up if they’re fresh from the fridge. Hope that helps! ~Shelley
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