Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
~ These Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls are the perfect, nutrient-dense, healthy snack for all you Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup lovers! They’re so easy to make, and loaded up with yummy ingredients that’ll keep you satisfied and energized for hours. Bonus: they freeze really well, too – great for stocking up! (Originally published on September 12, 2013, as Peanut Butter Cup No-Bake Snack Bites) ~
This Recipe Is: • Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Love that classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter? (Oh, Reese’s Cups … heart heart heart!)
But maybe you’re not so much into the nutrition label on the back of the candy bar package. Or that sugar crash that’s just a few minutes away.
I’ve got your back on this one!
Delicious chocolate and peanut butter flavors, in handy little make-ahead snacks that’ll power you up instead of crashing you down.
Allow me to introduce …
Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls!
These power-packed energy bites are chock-full of everything your body needs for the ideal snack or even a last-minute, grab-and-go breakfast that’ll keep you satisfied all morning long.
And they’re so yummy, too!
Sure, these balls may channel all the flavors you adore in a Reese’s Cup, but don’t be fooled …
Our Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls are soooo nutritious and energizing! They’re filled with:
- Protein to help keep you running at a sustained energy level and feeling full.
- Whole Grains that are packed with essential nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, and loads of vitamins and minerals. Plus some nice omega-3s from all the flax.
- Complex Carbs for that much-needed boost of energy (but without the sugar crash you’d get from simple carbs).
- Fiber, which will help keep hunger levels, blood sugar, and digestion in check.
Maybe even better, we’re also talking:
- The perfect combo of chocolate and peanut butter. Yum!
- Crunchy cashews (or peanuts) to complement the smooth, cookie dough-like base. Even more yummmmmm!
This whole delicious concoction will satisfy that naughty Reese’s craving while helping you stay true to your healthy snacking goals!
Here’s all ya have to do to whip up your own batch …
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites
It just takes a few minutes and a handful of common ingredients (pop on down to the recipe card for the exact measurements):
1. Mix up all the ingredients, except the chocolate chips and nuts, in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Then, once you’ve got it all thoroughly combined, toss in those chocolate chips and crunchy nuts and give your yummy mixture another good stir. (And sure … you’re probably gonna want to scoop up some bits for (ahem) “taste testing” purposes along the way. Do what you gotta do. I mean, you need to keep your strength up as you work, right?? Totally understandable.)
3. Anyway, to finish up, you firmly press your delicious creation into one-inch balls.
That’s it. That’s all it takes.
Super easy!
You and your energy bites are ready for snacking!
How Energy Balls Save Time
Whenever I ask what people love about these bite-sized energy snacks, they always comment on how downright easy these are to make, and to keep on hand.
These babies really do save the day, in so many ways! They’re:
√ Perfect for Make-Ahead Munching!
Have a few extra minutes? Whip up an easy batch of our Chocolate & Peanut Butter Energy Bites. Then pat yourself on the back, put your feet up and relax … knowing you’ll have healthy snacks ready and waiting anytime you get the munchies!
Pssst … these freeze really well, too. So don’t worry if you’re not going to eat all of these right away (although, we know you’re gonna want to dive in immediately). They’ll keep well in the freezer for at least 3 months. Just thaw and enjoy.
Which also means, why not make a bigger batch?
√ Easy to Double (or Triple … or Quadruple)
I’m pretty sure your family will love these as much as ours does … one batch doesn’t last long around here.
Luckily, this recipe is super easy to double, or triple, or … well, you get the idea. I do it all the time! If I’m making Energy Balls, you can bet I’m making a BIG batch of ’em!
√ They’re a No Bake Snack!
No need to fire up the oven or wait around for these to cool. Nope!
These power-packed bites don’t require any additional time spent baking, which leaves you with more time to put your feet up (or *ugh* get some chores done).
√ Mess-Free!
Nobody likes doing the dishes. (Pretty sure I can safely say that, right?!?) Luckily, this is a one-bowl recipe!
Whip up a batch, throw the bowl in the dishwasher, and instead of rewarding yourself by eating bonbons … snack on Energy Balls, of course!
Energy Ball FAQs & Tips
Yes! Our Energy Balls are packed with all kinds of nutrients your body needs to refuel and stay energized – including whole grains, fiber, complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein!
These little power bites have protein to keep you running at a sustained energy level, fiber to keep you feeling full, whole-grains, which are packed with essential nutrients, and complex carbs to give you a boost of energy.
Regardless of the peanut butter you use, these will keep much better, and longer, in the refrigerator. And, if your peanut butter is one of the natural brands that needs to be refrigerated, then your energy bites should definitely be stored in the fridge (or the freezer … see below).
Yes, you can definitely freeze any of our Energy Ball recipes! In fact, we highly suggest making a big batch and keeping them in the freezer for emergency snacking.
They should be great for at least 3 months in the freezer, but gosh, I doubt they’ve ever made it that long without being eaten.
Cashews are terrific in these Energy Balls, for sure. Their buttery flavor is delicious in this recipe, and they’re my go-to, first choice. But, you could also sub peanuts if you don’t happen to have cashews. And, if you don’t have either of those, you could also try using crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy. The bits of nuts probably won’t be as pronounced, but your Energy Balls will still be yummy!
Want MORE Energy Balls?
Of course you do!
Energy balls (or, as we initially called them here at THK, “Snack Bites”) were actually our first-ever recipe. (If you haven’t tried the super popular “Original” Peanut Butter Energy Balls, be sure to check them out, too!)
Over time, our energy bite recipes have won the hearts of lots of raving fans who love the yum-factor, easy-factor, and energy boost in these little balls.
So, I got to work coming up with all sorts of different flavors to keep our “Energy Ball Fan Club” happy. (“Cookie Dough“, anyone? Or how about “Almond Joy“??)
You can check them all out in our Healthy Energy Balls Recipes collection.
But first … satisfy your Reese’s Cup chocolate and peanut butter hankering by making this recipe. It’ll fuel you up for making extra-big batches of all the other flavors (and soon you’ll have the best-stocked, healthy snackin’ freezer in town)!
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
If you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, you've gotta try these quick no-bake Snack Bites! They're easy, freezable and really nutritious!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed meal
- 1/2 cup natural, creamy peanut butter
- 5 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons crushed cashews (can substitute peanuts; see note)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and cashews.
- Stir to combine.
- Add chocolate chips and cashews to mixture and stir again, just until combined.
- Using your hands, press firmly to form one-inch balls.
- Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate until serving.
Notes
Cashews and Peanuts: We love the crunchy, rich-flavored pieces of cahews in these Energy Balls, but in a pinch you could sbustitute peanuts. If you have neither, you could also get a bit of crunch by using chunky peanut butter instead of creamy, although the pieces of nuts will likely be smaller.
Storage and Freezing: If your peanut butter is one of the natural brands that needs to be refrigerated, then so do your Snack Bites. Actually, regardless of the peanut butter you use, these will keep much better in the refrigerator. They can even be frozen (so you may want to make a triple batch!). When frozen, these Snack Bites will be thawed in about 20 minutes.
Gluten Free: All of the ingredients are generally considered to be gluten free, but if you're gluten-sensitive, be sure to check the package labeling on the brands you buy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 servings Serving Size: 2 Energy BallsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 66mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 4g
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.
The kids loved these and they were so easy to make!
Thanks, Krissy – I’m so happy to hear it! These energy balls are definitely a hug kid (and adult!) fave at our house, too! I usually make a double- or triple-batch and keep some in the freezer, ready for energy snacks on the go. Everybody gets so bummed when my freezer stockpile runs out lol! 😉 ~Shelley