These Chocolate Chip Energy Balls are easy to make with almond butter, rolled oats, maple syrup, nut butter and chocolate chips and are the perfect healthy snack on the go! Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar free with grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options!
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Easy Chocolate Chip Energy Balls recipe
Looking for an easy and healthy snack for on the go? These Chocolate Chip Energy Balls come together with just 5 ingredients in just one bowl and under 10 minutes. They make the perfect little pick-me-up before or after a workout. The best part is, you can easily make them ahead of time and pack them for on the go.
These No Bake Chocolate Chip Energy Bites are also gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free and loaded with protein and fiber. They contain NO refined sugar but are still decadent enough to satisfy any sweet tooth cravings.
What Are Chocolate Chip Energy Bites?
No bake chocolate chip energy bites are portable, delicious bite-sized snacks that you roll into balls. Chocolate chip energy balls are usually made with oats, nut or seed butter, sweetener, sometimes protein powder, plus any add-ins of your choice. Not only do they taste like dessert, but I love that you can customize them with the ingredients you have on hand.
The great thing about these healthy energy bites is that can make a double batch on your meal prep Sunday, store in your freezer to last you throughout the week.
Are Chocolate Chip Energy Balls Healthy?
Our no bake energy balls are a great healthier treat option when enjoyed in moderation on a balanced diet. They’re made with wholesome ingredients and packed with fiber and protein, but sweet enough to satisfy that dessert craving.
They are refined sugar free, vegan and gluten-free and naturally sweetened and can easily be made grain-free, paleo or with low carb or keto sweeteners.
What You’ll Need
One thing I really like about these no bake energy balls? They’re made with just 5 simple pantry ingredients that you can swap out according to what you’ve got.
- Rolled Oats: Be sure to use certified gluten-free old fashioned oats or rolled oats as needed. To keep them grain-free, simply swap the oats for these square-shaped coconut flakes from Bob’s Red Mill.
- Sticky Natural Sweetener: Such as maple syrup, coconut flower nectar syrup or yacon syrup to keep these protein bites vegan. You can also sub with honey (if not vegan), organic agave or low carb sweetener such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or a couple drops of pure liquid monk fruit to keep them lower in sugar.
- Natural Nut or Seed Butter: This could be almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter – use what you like!
- Shredded coconut: We like to use unsweeteend shredded coconut but you can use any you have on hand. Ground flax seeds, oat flour, superfine almond flour or protein powder work as well.
- Chocolate chips – we like to use dark sugar-free dairy-free chocolate chips from Lily’s Sweets but you can use chopped chocolate or any chocolate chips you like.
How to make Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
- Combine Oats & Nut Butter: Place the oats in a large mixing bowl with shredded coconut, then add the nut or seed butter and mix until fully combined.
- Add Sweetener: Add in the sweetener then mix again until the mixture resembles cookie dough and have a sticky texture.
- Stir in chocolate chips: Add the chocolate chips and fold them into the dough until combined.
- Form Balls: Use a spoon or cookie scoop and roll into balls of (1-2 tbsp) sized dough balls and place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer.
- Chill & Serve: Store the airtight container of energy bites in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy them. Chilling is optional but recommended.
Variations
We make a few batches of Energy Balls every week and a few of our favorites include:
- Almond Joy Energy Bites
- Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites
- Banana Nut Energy Bites
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Coconut Energy Bites
- Cranberry Energy Bites
- No Bake Lemon Coconut Energy Bites
- Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Energy Bites
Tips for Success
Want some extra advice for making no-bake energy bites? I’ve got you covered with this list of tips and tricks.
- Heat Nut Butter: Your nut butter should be heated with 2 teaspoons of avocado or coconut oil to make it more liquidy – this is especially necessary if you’re using nut butter near the bottom of the jar. Different brands of nut butters yield slightly different consistencies and results, so adjust as needed. I like to go for organic and/or natural nut or seed butters.
- Pack & Roll: After you scoop out the dough, roll your vegan energy balls tightly into 1 to 1.5-inch balls. This is about 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough.
- Dough Not Sticking? If your dough is too dry, simply add more liquid ingredients (nut butter, sweetener, oil), a little bit at a time. If it’s still having trouble sticking to itself, chill it for about 20 minutes prior to forming the balls. This should help bring it to the proper texture. You can also slightly wet your hands while rolling to help it stick, if needed.
Substitutions
Wondering what works well as ingredient substitutions? Once again, I’ve got you covered!
- Instead of Shredded Coconut: You can use ground flaxseeds, almond meal or oat flour.
- In Place of Liquid Sweeteners: Pulse softened dried dates, prunes or apricots with some water.
- In Place of Protein Powder: Not a fan of protein powder? Use hemp seeds and/or chia seeds instead for that extra boost.
Storage Instructions
How to Store:
You don’t actually have to store these no bake chocolate energy balls in the refrigerator, but I think they are even more delicious when they’re chilled, so I highly recommend it! Keeping them in the fridge also prevents them from getting too soft or mushy.
Store these vegan energy bites in an airtight container in one layer (or use parchment paper to separate layers).
How long:
They’ll stay good for 3 days on the counter at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator. Keeping them in the fridge prevents them from getting too soft or mushy.
Can I Freeze No Bake Energy Bites?
Absolutely. These healthy energy balls are the perfect make-ahead recipe!
How to freeze:
Place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to flash-freeze. Then, transfer the balls to freezer-friendly bags, squeeze out all the air and seal. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
More healthy snack recipes:
These Chocolate Chip Energy Bites are easy to make with only 5 ingredients. Packed with rolled oats, nut butter and naturally sweetened with maple syrup for the perfect healthy snack on the go! Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar free with grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options!
- 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter almond, cashew butter OR sunflower / pumpkin seed butter work as well(heated slightly until liquid-y)
- 1/4 cup coconut flower nectar syrup , can also sub with organic agave syrup, pure maple syrup, date syrup or yacon syrup. You can also sub with honey (if not vegan) or low carb sweetener such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or a couple drops of pure liquid monk fruit to keep them lower in sugar.
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut , can also sub with organic agave syrup, pure maple syrup, date syrup or yacon syrup. You can also sub with honey (if not vegan) or low carb sweetener such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or a couple drops of pure liquid monk fruit to keep them lower in sugar.
- 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats , swap with ground flax seed, oat flour or protein powder instead if you are not a fan of coconut - you might have to adjust the amount of sweetener to your taste
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks* , plus more for studding, if desired. We like Lily's Sweets, Pascha's or Enjoy Life
- pinch salt optional but highly recommended for offsetting the sweetness
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds or ground chia seeds
- 1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
- *raisins or dried fruit cranberries instead of or half with chocolate chips
- In a large bowl, mix together heated nut butter and honey until smooth.
- Stir in shredded coconut, oats, and salt and mix until well combined. Add optional add-ins if desired. Fold in chocolate chunks/chips.
- Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If the dough doesn't stick together add 1/2 tablespoon water (or melted coconut oil) at a time until dough comes together or place dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to forming dough balls so it's easier to handle. Press additional chocolate chips evenly around the dough, if desired.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
Recipe Video
**You can form these into cookies or granola bars by flattening the dough in an 8x8 square pan if you prefer not to roll them out. Store in an airtight container for up to one week in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. months. Allow to sit out for 10 minutes from the freezer before serving.
