Mix up a batch of these cocoa peanut butter energy bites and celebrate the fact that you now have a nutritious and delicious snack on hand.
Cocoa Peanut Butter Energy Balls are a healthy and delicious snack to have around the house. The protein from the peanut butter helps to give your body protein so the muscles can continue to build, strengthen, and maintain. And they also have healthy fats from the added ground flax seed. These no-bake energy balls only need 6 ingredients – oats, maple syrup or honey, cocoa powder, peanut butter, flax seed, and vanilla extract. So simple, right?! If you have kids, these are a yummy snack for them too. Plus, you won’t have to worry about cleaning up after, which is a wonderful thing.
If you’re like me, you may find yourself hungry even when it’s not around meal times. Though you may be thinking of your favorite candy bar or restaurant, these Cocoa Peanut Butter Energy Balls are a great way to tie you over until your next meal. They contain no added sugars and can be gluten free if you’re careful about your ingredients.
Making this recipe is SO simple. In a large bowl, you mix together oats (you want to make sure these are Old-Fashioned Oats and not quick oats because they’ll result in a different texture), cocoa powder and ground flax seed. Then you add in the peanut butter, syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined. Roll into bite-sized balls using a mini ice cream scoop or with your hands. Then eat!
This recipe can be easily altered too. If you want to have chocolate chips, add them in! Or you can skip the cocoa altogether and just do chocolate chips instead. So versatile, just add in what you want – coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, chia, dried fruit, and the list goes on. Whether you’re hungry during the day, going on a road trip, or need a snack for the kiddos, these are a great go-to! Hope you enjoy these as much as we did!
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- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 balls 1x
Description
These Cocoa Peanut Butter Energy Bites are a nutritious, no-bake snack packed with protein and healthy fats, perfect for satisfying hunger between meals.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 cup Ground Flax Seed
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
- 1/2 cup Maple Syrup or Honey
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats, cocoa powder, and ground flax seed.
- Add the peanut butter, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
- Stir the mixture until it is well combined and has a uniform consistency.
- Using a mini ice cream scoop or your hands, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls.
- Enjoy immediately or store for later.
Notes
Ensure to use Old-Fashioned Oats for the right texture. These bites can be customized with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or dried fruit. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. These are gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 40
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use quick oats instead of Old-Fashioned Oats in this recipe?
No, quick oats will result in a different texture than Old-Fashioned Oats, which are recommended for this recipe.
What can I substitute for maple syrup if I don’t have any?
You can use honey as a substitute for maple syrup in this recipe.
Is it necessary to use ground flax seed, or can I omit it?
While you can omit ground flax seed, it adds healthy fats and nutrients; if you decide to skip it, consider adding a bit more oats to maintain the consistency.
I made these yesterday and used PB2 in place of regular peanut butter. They turned out amazing!! I am going to try them with the chocolate PB2 after I finish this batch! :)
I made these following recipe exactly (I opted to use honey) and they turned out fantastic. I used a 1 1/2″ cookie scoop and I got 17 balls out of this batch. 16 to share, 1 for me, they tasted great :) Thanks for the recipe!
These are great and less messy than other recipes. I grab a couple before heading to the gym. I substituted Nutella for the honey for a stronger chocolate taste.
I just made them and they’re tasty. I substituted rice syrup for honey which makes them a little less sweet but still a good snack! Very easy to make!
YUM! So good to know! I’ll have to try that too! Glad you enjoyed them!
These are tasty. We like to store them in the freezer for a chilled treat! Thanks.
So perfect in the freezer! Glad you enjoyed them!
OMG these are so good!! I made a batch for my husband to bring to work with him and I think i ate about half of them throughout the week LOL I will be making these often as they are easy to eat and are a perfect chocolate snack! Thanks for the recipe :)
Thanks so much! So glad you liked them!
This looks great! Will try this weekend.. quick question, for 16 servings do you know about what each ball calorie wise is?
Thanks!
Unfortunately, I don’t know how many calories each ball is. I have tried calculating it using the measurements and calorie content of the ingredients I used and my result was around 60 calories per ball. Can’t promise that it’s 100% accurate but that’s what my calculations were. Hope this helps! Sorry for the delay in reply!
Whaaaa?! Megan, I was looking to refresh my memory on the energy bites recipe with the ingredients I have…and look whose recipe I clicked on first! Hope you’re well, girly!
Thanks girl! Hope you’re doing well too!