Easy Energy Balls

My family loves these no-bake energy balls! Our recipe calls for a handful of wholesome ingredients (think fiber, protein, and healthy fats). They keep for 2 weeks in the fridge or longer in the freezer.

There are endless ways to make energy balls (sometimes called energy bites or power balls), but this peanut butter version is the one I make the most.

These really are one of my all-time favorite healthy snacks to make at home! They taste amazing, my kid loves them, and I’m willing to bet you already have most of the ingredients on hand. If you love these, check out our granola bars and peanut butter granola bars too!

Key Ingredients

• Oats: Instant oats work in a pinch, but we prefer rolled oats (like what we use to make our everyday oatmeal). Steel-cut oats aren’t a good choice here. These balls are no-bake, so stick with softer rolled oats.
• Power Ingredients: This is where you can get creative! I love adding ground flaxseed, chia, or hemp seeds for an extra boost. Protein powder is also a great option if you want more protein (add 1-2 scoops).
• Nut Butter or Sunflower Butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or even other nut butter will all work beautifully. If you need a nut-free option, sunflower butter is my go-to. You could even try homemade tahini for a delicious twist!
• Honey or Other Sticky Sweetener: We love honey for these, but if you don’t have any on hand, try pure maple syrup or agave nectar.
• Salt and Spices: A pinch of sea salt is a must, and I love the warmth of cinnamon. Feel free to experiment with other baking spices, such as cardamom, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, allspice, or nutmeg.
• Chocolate, Nuts, or Dried Fruit: This is the fun part! Adding something melty, crunchy, or chewy takes these energy bites to the next level. I usually go for mini chocolate chips (like when I make granola bars), but regular-sized ones, chopped chocolate, or even cacao nibs are delicious.

Find the full recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Energy Balls

Tip 1: Mix the dry ingredients first. Once you add nut butter and honey, things will get sticky, so make sure to stir the oats with the other dry ingredients, salt, and spices first. This way, they will be well distributed.

Tip 2: Add the wet ingredients. Now you can stir in the nut butter (for me, that’s usually peanut butter) and sweetener. Use a spoon to mash the mixture around to really distribute the honey and nut butter throughout.

Tip 3: Refrigerate the mix before rolling. Things will be sticky, so if you have the time, slide the bowl into the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. This does two things. First, it gives the oats a moment to soak up extra moisture, and second, it firms the nut butter a bit, making it easier to roll the mix into balls later.

Tip 4: Use wet hands when rolling. As you roll the mixture into balls, keep a small bowl of water nearby. If your hands start to get a little too sticky, wet them and continue rolling. I also find that a medium cookie scoop is helpful for portioning each ball. It helps a lot!

Recipe Variations

We make the basic energy balls recipe shared below all the time and love it. That said, there are many ways you can adapt these. I’ll share a few below to get you started, and then, if you come up with an epic variation, share it in the comments below so we all can see!

• Oatmeal Raisin: Take a cue from oatmeal raisin cookies, increase the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon, and add raisins and chopped nuts (I like pecans or walnuts).
• Extra Chocolate: Stick with the basic recipe, then drizzle melted chocolate over the formed balls or roll in cocoa powder.
• Chai: Use the spices from chai tea to make a spiced energy ball. Try adding 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, a pinch of ground cloves, and a pinch of ground nutmeg.
• Coffee: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of espresso powder to the recipe for a caffeine kick.