No Bake Energy Balls (Monster Cookie) are easy, delicious and made with simple, real ingredients! Perfect for meal prep, these easy energy bites are going to become a family favorite!
The Best No Bake Energy Balls (aka Energy Bites)
I have tested these a few times now and every time a full batch lasts no more than 48 hours in my house, so I know they are good! I love how easily these no bake energy bites come together, they are customizable and hard to mess up and packed with flavor – plus, who doesn’t love a good monster cookie in bite-sized form!
Kid-friendly and perfect for a quick meal-prep action item on Sunday afternoon. I also love making a batch of one of my kids has a sports event all weekend and we need to have some yummy snacks on hand! They are a healthy treat everyone can get on board with!
What You Will Need
- rolled oats: if you are gluten-free ensure that you get a gluten-free certified rolled oat!
- peanut butter: grab a creamy peanut butter here! If you can’t do peanuts, most if not all creamy nut butters would work here just fine (almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter all work well).
- real maple syrup: honey would probably also work, but it is a little thicker than real maple syrup so just watch the consistency and adjust accordingly.
- vanilla extract: this adds just a bit of sweetness.
- chia seeds + ground flaxseed + super fine almond flour: these all help bind everything together.
- pinch of sea salt: a little salt just helps accentuate all the flavors.
- collagen or protein powder: this is optional – if you don’t want to add this ingredient in then just add in a bit more almond flour.
- chocolate candies: I love using this brand, but use whatever you like.
- mini chocolate chips: not too many, but they ARE monster cookie energy bites so we gotta add both chocolate chips and chocolate candies!
How to Make No Bake Energy Balls
The first steps are to put everything, except the chocolate candies, in a large bowl. Test the texture and ensure it is sticky enough – you can always add a bit more maple syrup, if you need to. Then gently fold in the chocolate candies.
Use a cookie scoop to create even-sized balls. Place on a cookie sheet and put in the refrigerator so they can chill just a tiny bit.
That’s it!
Perfect for an after-school snack and meal prepping.
I also love making a big batch before we have tournament weekend for one of the kiddos – so easy!
Love Monster Cookies – try our Monster Cookie Magic Bars (aka Seven Layer Bars) – also amazing!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Other Recipes You Might Like
- Easy S’mores Bars
- Seven Layer Bars
- Healthy Trail Mix Bars
- Cookie Dough Bites
- Healthier Monster Cookies
No Bake Energy Balls (Monster Cookie)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Refrigeration Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
This No Bake Energy Ball (Monster Cookie) recipe has all the amazing flavors you love in a monster cookie wrapped up in a little energy bite!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup (more, as-needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground flax
- 2–4 tablespoons super fine almond flour
- pinch of kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons collagen or protein powder
- 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chocolate candies
Instructions
- Combine: Put the oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, chia seeds, ground flax, 2 tablespoons almond flour, salt, collagen and mini chocolate chips in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Check Consistency: Ensure the consistency of the mixture is sticky enough to form and hold a ball-shape. If too sticky, add in the other 1-2 tablespoons of almond flour. If not sticky enough, add in a little more maple syrup.
- Candies: Gently fold in chocolate candies.
- Form Energy Balls: Use a tablespoon-size cookie dough scoop to create evenly shaped balls. Roll between your hands and place them on a small cookie sheet or large plate and set that in the refrigerator for approx. 20-30 minutes or until they firm up a bit.
- Serve or Store for Later: enjoy immediately or move them to a reusable silicone bag or glass container and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Collage/Protein Powder: if you don’t want to add either of these, I would just increase the almond flour a little bit to keep them from being too sticky.
- Other add-ins: you can add in whole flax seeds, if you prefer, or even a little shredded coconut.
- Storage: for best results store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week. They will hold their shape much better in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: to freeze place in a freezer-safe container and seal, removing as much air as possible. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
- Gluten-Free: ensure the oats are certified gluten-free and use gluten-free alternatives for chocolate candies.
- Dairy-Free: use a dairy-free chocolate candies or sub for dairy-free chocolate chips (and omit the mini chocolate chips).
- Peanut Allergy: option to use a different creamy nut butter in place of the peanut butter. Sub the almond flour for a cassava flour or oat flour. And ensure any chocolate candies or chocolate chips are peanut-free.
- Chocolate Candies: we love buying these chocolate candies!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 122
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 60.1 mg
- Fat: 6.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.4 g
- Protein: 4.4 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
Cathie says
Made these for an easy snack while I’m nursing my daughter and they are perfect!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Cathie!
Carla says
I have made so many energy ball recipes and this is my favorite!
Nicole says
These are easy to put together, and so delicious! I did not have mini chocolate chips so I used regular, just less of them. What would be your go to brand of mini chocolate chips?
These will be a regular prep item for me to have on hand for a little something in the afternoons for myself and my kids when they get picked up from school.
Karen says
Perfect for taking for kids sports days when it’s my turn to take treats.
Erin says
Couldn’t agree more, Karen! We make these for softball tournament weekends all the time!
Julie says
Came together easily and quickly! Great for a quick, nutritious snack. I skipped the mini chocolate chips and chocolate candies in half of the batch for those in my family who can’t have chocolate. Love the versatility.
Erin says
So glad you are enjoying these, Julie! Thanks for taking the time to write a review!
Monika says
AMAZING! The taste reminds me of Reese’s Pieces.
Erin says
Glad to hear it, Monika! Thanks for coming back to leave a review!
Linda says
These are a great go to snack for any occasion!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Kelly says
Love these!! So easy and so hard not to eat them all in one day. Will be making these over and over.
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Kelly! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!