These Energy Balls are the perfect on-the-go snack—packed with wholesome ingredients, they’re sweet, satisfying, and full of natural energy. With endless flavor variations, you can customize them to your liking, making them the perfect snack for any occasion. Whether you need a quick breakfast, a post-workout pick-me-up, or a sweet treat, these energy balls are sure to fuel your day!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Energy Balls are quick and easy to make, and they’re loaded with nutrients! The base is made with rolled oats, nut butter, and a sticky sweetener, which holds everything together and provides a great balance of healthy fats, fiber, and protein. Plus, the flavor options are endless! You can make them with classic chocolate chips, raisins, cranberries, or even coconut for a tropical twist. They’re also perfect for meal prep, so you always have a healthy snack ready when you need it.

Energy Balls

Ingredients

Energy Ball Base:

1 ¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (can substitute with half old-fashioned, half quick oats for different texture)
2 tablespoons “power mix-ins” (chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, or more oats)
½ cup nut butter of your choice (peanut butter is a classic, but almond or cashew butter work great too)
⅓ cup sticky liquid sweetener (honey or maple syrup)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup mix-ins (Choose from the flavor options below)

Flavor Options:

Classic Chocolate Chip:

½ cup chocolate chips

Trail Mix:

3 tablespoons chocolate chips
3 tablespoons chopped peanuts
2 tablespoons raisins

White Chocolate Cranberry:

Almond butter or cashew butter
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup white chocolate chips

Almond Joy:

Replace ½ cup of oats with ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
¼ cup chocolate chips
¼ cup chopped almonds

Double Chocolate:

½ cup mini chocolate chips
2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie:

½ cup raisins
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Combine Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, power mix-ins, nut butter, sweetener, vanilla extract, salt, and your choice of mix-ins (and any optional spices like cinnamon for oatmeal raisin). Stir until everything is evenly combined.

2. Adjust Consistency:

If the mixture feels too wet, add a bit more oats. If it’s too dry, add more nut butter. The mixture should resemble a slightly sticky dough that holds together when squeezed.

3. Chill the Dough:

Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to roll into balls.

4. Form the Balls:

After chilling, use a cookie scoop or your hands to portion out the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. If you prefer smaller or larger balls, adjust accordingly.

5. Enjoy & Store:

Enjoy immediately, or transfer the balls to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months for a longer shelf life.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 18 (1-inch balls, approx.)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Tips & Variations

Customize Your Mix-ins: Add coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate chips, or dried fruit like apricots or blueberries for extra flavor and texture.
Protein Boost: Add protein powder or collagen peptides to the base for a protein-packed snack.
Vegan Option: Use maple syrup and almond butter or peanut butter for a vegan-friendly version.
Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetener depending on how sweet you like your energy balls. You can also use stevia or another sugar alternative if preferred.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: These energy balls are perfect straight from the fridge or freezer—no reheating required!

FAQs

1. Can I use any nut butter?

Yes, you can use any nut butter you like, such as peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.

2. Can I make these energy balls nut-free?

Yes! Use sunflower seed butter or a nut-free butter alternative to make these energy balls safe for those with nut allergies.

3. Can I use dried fruit in the mix-ins?

Yes! Dried cranberries, raisins, apricots, or any dried fruit of your choice would make a great addition to these energy balls.

4. How long will these energy balls last?

These energy balls will last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer when stored in an airtight container.

5. Can I add protein powder to the energy balls?

Yes! Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the base of the mixture for a protein-packed snack.

6. Can I make these energy balls without maple syrup?

Yes, you can substitute maple syrup with honey, agave syrup, or a sugar alternative like stevia.

7. Can I make these without oats?

If you don’t want oats, you can substitute with rolled quinoa or rice crisps for a different texture.

8. Can I make these balls smaller or larger?

Yes, feel free to adjust the size of the energy balls depending on your preference. Just note that the number of servings will change based on the size of the balls.

9. Can I add cocoa powder for a chocolatey flavor?

Yes, cocoa powder works great in these energy balls! You can add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey flavor.

10. Can I skip the chilling step?

While you can skip it, chilling the mixture makes it easier to roll the energy balls and helps them hold their shape better.

Conclusion

These Energy Balls are the perfect snack to keep you fueled throughout the day. With endless customization options and a healthy combination of oats, nut butter, and sweetener, they’re ideal for breakfast, a pre-workout snack, or a sweet treat. Enjoy them right away or store them in the fridge or freezer for later—they’re sure to become your new go-to snack!

Energy Balls

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Author: Jessica
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 18 servings (1-inch balls)
Category: Snack
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Quick, no-bake energy balls packed with oats, nut butter, and a variety of customizable mix-ins, perfect for a healthy snack or on-the-go treat.

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, power mix-ins, nut butter, sweetener, vanilla extract, salt, and your choice of mix-ins and any optional spices (like cinnamon for oatmeal raisin). Stir until everything is evenly combined.
Adjust Consistency: If the mixture feels too wet, add a bit more oats. If it’s too dry, add more nut butter. The mixture should resemble a slightly sticky dough that holds together when squeezed.
Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to roll into balls.
Form the Balls: After chilling, use a cookie scoop or your hands to portion out the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. If you prefer smaller or larger balls, adjust accordingly.
Enjoy & Store: Enjoy immediately or transfer the balls to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months for a longer shelf life.

Notes

Customize Your Mix-ins: Add coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate chips, or dried fruit like apricots or blueberries for extra flavor and texture.
Protein Boost: Add protein powder or collagen peptides to the base for a protein-packed snack.
Vegan Option: Use maple syrup and almond butter or peanut butter for a vegan-friendly version.
Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetener depending on how sweet you like your energy balls. You can also use stevia or another sugar alternative if preferred.