Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls (Printer-friendly)
No-bake bites with chocolate, peanut butter, oats, and honey, perfect for quick energy boosts.
# What you'll need:
→ Base
01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (90 g)
02 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (125 g)
03 - 1/3 cup honey (115 g)
→ Chocolate
04 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (22 g)
05 - 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (60 g)
→ Add-ins
06 - 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (40 g), optional
07 - 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (16 g), optional
08 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of salt
# Method:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, blend oats, cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and ground flaxseed until evenly distributed.
02 - Add creamy peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and salt to the dry mix and stir thoroughly using a spatula or wooden spoon until a cohesive mixture forms.
03 - If mixture feels too dry, gradually add water by the teaspoon until the mixture holds together when pressed.
04 - Portion approximately 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll it between your palms to form compact balls; repeat until all mixture is used.
05 - Arrange the formed balls on a parchment-lined plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
06 - Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These come together in less time than it takes to preheat an oven, and there's zero cleanup beyond one bowl.
- The texture is soft and chewy straight from the fridge, satisfying in a way that store-bought granola bars never quite manage.
- You can taste the chocolate and peanut butter in every bite without any of the guilt that comes with actual candy.
- They hold up beautifully in a gym bag or backpack, making them the easiest grab-and-go snack I've found.
02 -
- If your mixture is too sticky to roll, pop the whole bowl in the fridge for ten minutes—it makes shaping so much easier.
- Don't skip the salt; I did once and the bites tasted flat and one-dimensional, almost like something was missing even though I couldn't place it.
- Using natural peanut butter means you might need a bit less honey, so taste the dough and adjust as you go.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before rolling each ball—it keeps the mixture from sticking to your palms and makes shaping almost effortless.
- Make a double batch and freeze half; they thaw in about fifteen minutes and taste like you just made them fresh.
- If you're using chunky peanut butter, the bits of peanut add a nice surprise, but the balls might be a little more fragile until they chill.