Super easy, No Bake, Vegan, and Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls. A 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!My favorite thing about these little guys is that they’re made of pretty staple ingredients. Although I love our Vegan Cashew Cacao Bliss Balls, we don’t always have cashews or dates in the house to be able to whip them up on a whim. But we always have everything in these Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls in our house, which means there’s no special trip to the store or remembering to add something extra to your grocery list. Not having to think / remember something extra in our already busy schedules, that’s a huge win in my book. Oh, and it’s also a great way to use some of your own Peanut Butter From Scratch!
Even better (and coincidentally unintentional), these little energy balls are both vegan and gluten free!
Despite the “chocolate” in the title, they’re mostly peanut butter with really only a touch of chocolate in them. Also, I actually like doing a mixture of cocoa powder and superfood cacao powder with the perfect added sweet crunch of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Plus there’s a little touch of coconut in them for a little extra summin’ summin’.
These little guys’ll be in our freezer just waiting for when I’m facing a “I forgot to make myself lunch and now I’m about to get Han-gry…” situation. 😉
Enjoy!
Oh hey, I’m also wondering if you guys have noticed and/or miss the ingredient and step by step photos? I’ve stopped doing them because, well, they take more time and with a little one running around underfoot, time is a limited commodity. I’d love to hear what you think though, feel free to send me your feedback and also let me know if there’s any recipes you’re hoping to see soon! (All you Crock Pot Chicken Pho fans, I’ve got the beef version coming at ya soon!)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
- 1/4 cup agave nectar (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons 100% baking unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder (optional - sub for all cocoa powder)
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (vegan or not) I love Everyday Foods vegan chocolate chips!
Instructions
- In a medium bowl mix together peanut butter, honey, vanilla, cocoa, and cacao powder. If the mixture is a little thick, just add a little water a tablespoon at a time.
- The add oats, coconut, chia seeds, and 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 or freezer.
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These energy balls are really delicious
thank you for sharing
You’re welcome! Thank you for stopping by!
Well, you said peanut butter and chocolate,!! now I have to make it. Love the combination and these look good. Is it me or just energy balls that are always so addictive.
Love the sound of these chocolate energy balls. I add agave nectar to everything that I want to sweeten, these sound so good!
Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven. This is how we make ours too, but we love them in bars for a bigger snack.
These look delicious and my son is always looking for new energy treats as he goes to the gym every day !
I need these!!! Love that quick and easy and look so yummy!!!
This makes healthy eating so easy. Love the fact these are perfect for “grab and go”. I am having the grandkids for a sleepover this weekend. I think I will get them in the kitchen and help me make some. They can tell mom and dad they made healthy snacks with gramma!!
I like the step by step photos for what it’s worth! And I love the idea of a peanut butter snack bite! I’m really bad about forgetting to eat during the day.. I should definitely start making these!!
I love a good energy ball! I can’t wait to try this and try making the peanut butter from scratch as well! I love that you mixed cacao powder with cocoa powder as well – such a delicious combination. Perfect for back to school season too!
I’ve been guilty of forgetting to eat because I was so busy with my little ones. But they are gone and if I get going on a project I forget to eat and then I’m looking for something to nibble on. These little energy bites would be great. And about process photos — I don’t think they’re necessary if the recipe is fairly easy. I will do them if they’re some complicated steps or if a visual would further explain the process.
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!
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.
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’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!
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 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!