Is there anything better than peanut butter and chocolate together? These super easy, no bake, vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls are the perfect healthy, but semi-sweet treat to give you a boost when you need it!
Where my other tired toddler moms at? How many of you have found yourself finishing your kid's half eaten scrambled eggs or peanut butter sandwich because you realized you forgot to make yourself something to eat? Guilty. Then I find myself exhausted, hungry, and ultimately craving something sweet and probably unhealthy. My solution, these adorable healthy little Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls! Simple, no bake, and packed full of enough protein to give you a little energy boost when you need to chase around that little one on little sleep!
Ingredients Needed
My favorite thing about these little guys is that they're made of pretty staple ingredients.
- Peanut Butter - Protein packed to help reduce hunger and keep you full! Make it even better with Homemade Peanut Butter!
- Oats - Rich in Antioxidants and fiber! Pure oats are gluten-free but sometimes they may contain gluten because of the factory they're produced in, so to be 100% sure, find oats that are specifically labeled gluten free.
- Chia Seeds - Packed full of fiber, antioxidants, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids!
- Cocoa and Cacao Powder - The chocolate but with the added superfood power of cacao powder!
- Coconut - We prefer unsweetened but you could also use sweetened for a little extra sweetness.
- Maple Syrup - But this is where the sweet flavor comes from, it's our go-to all natural sweetener.
- Vanilla Extract and a touch of Salt - For a little extra flavor. By the way, have you made your own, yet?
Step-by-Step Instruction
Easy. Eeeaaassyy. That's #1 right when you have a toddler running around and you can't remember when you took your last shower. That's why there come together in under 10 minutes.
- Mix your maple syrup, peanut butter, vanilla extract, cocoa, and cacao.
- Add your oats, chia seeds, coconut, and pinch of salt.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
So easy that even my toddler can help make them! She's always ready to help mix (and taste test!).
Customizable
Even better, you can absolutely customize these to your tastes and preferences by substituting in your favorites.
- Use almond butter or your other favorite nut butter.
- Use all cocoa or all cacao instead of a mixture.
- Use your favorite seeds for the chia seeds.
- Use a vegan chocolate chip or other white chocolate chips.
- Use honey or agave instead of maple syrup.
No matter what you choose to swap in or out, once you have everything mixed together, then it's an easy roll of it all into nice little energy and protein packed little balls!
Store them in the fridge or freezer for the perfect grab n' go snack - for you or the kids!
We love them with full sized chocolate chips, too!
Our Other Favorite Sweet Snacks
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
- Vegan Cashew Cacao Bliss Balls
- Healthy Edible Cookie Dough Bites
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Inside Out Peanut Butter Cups
- Copycat Butterfinger Candy Bites
- Chocolate Crunch Bars
Chocolate snacks that can be healthy while still being delicious, too!
They're one of my girls' favorite snacks - and one that I am happy to fulfill! For them, and me!
FAQs
If you choose a vegan chocolate chip, then yes!
Be sure to check your oats and ensure that they're gluten free, and then yes!
These will store in the fridge for two weeks and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
This will depend on the size that you make the balls, but see the recipe notes for values.
Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter creamy
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 cup vegan mini chocolate chips or regular if vegan isn't necessary
Instructions
- In a medium bowl mix together peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, cocoa, and cacao powder.
- Add oats, coconut, and chia seeds to the mixture and mix well until it is well combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Roll mixture into 1 - 1 1/2 inch balls, approximately 16. If the mixture is very very sticky, pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes first.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks or up to 6 months in freezer.
I substituted oats with almond flour - which I think is better texture wise. Turned out great!
I love the flavor combo of chocolate and peanut butter, but I love even more that I can enjoy it in a healthy way! What a great little portable snack to give you a boost during the day. I often find myself lagging toward mid-afternoon and it's easy to reach for something not-so-good for you when those snacky feelings hit. These look like such a great pick me up that will satisfy my sweet tooth as well!
I need these in my life, Tracy!
Especially lately. I've realized that I tend to forget to eat when I'm busy, and it's a bad situation. I'm trying to balance work, housework, and building a house right now, and I think the last three times I've gone to a warehouse to pick counters, lights, etc., I've gotten dizzy spells. I NEED PURSE SNACKS. Because apparently I don't know how to adult and eat at the same time.
Choco PB is definitely my jam, so these are right up my alley. NO alterations needed :P~~
I've honestly had days where I don't even bother to make something for myself because I figure I'm going to have to eat a bunch of bits and pieces deemed unworthy by a toddler. Seems like a perfectly reasonable meal after a while, doesn't it? (No, no it doesn't, and that's why these are awesome. Lol). Seriously though, love the flavours here. Chocolate and peanut butter are always welcome in my mind, and the fact that they come together quickly and easily is just an added bonus. Cheers!
Your peanut butter chocolate balls are calling my name! Even without a little one to run after, I sometimes get busy and forget to eat until I'm about to fall over and these would be a perfect pick-me-up. One question, are the chia seeds a necessary part of the recipe or a nice extra? I have everything else already but not those!
I love easy recipes like this. I have little kids and yes- I often forget to feed myself. My kids love these little snacks too. They are the perfect healthy treat.
The problem with these chocolate peanut butter bites is that I would never stop at one or two... Seriously, they look too good. It's like trying to moderate your child's indulgence of his halloween candy -- not gonna happen... The only thing that would stop me from eating the entire batch would be my husband -- who has the same hopeless devotion to chocolate and peanut butter -- in other words, we'd fight over the last of 'em... You're killing me, Traci!