No Bake Energy Balls

4.4

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These peanut butter no bake energy balls require only one bowl, eight ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time. You’ll love having them as a portable snack option!

I’ve been a fan of energy balls for years and they still top the list of meal prep recipes for me. I usually make some sort of energy ball every week and these peanut butter no bake balls are a household favorite.

White bowl full of peanut butter chocolate chip energy balls.

The flavor of the balls is awesome, especially if you’re a peanut butter lover like me. The texture is great too! It’s like homemade granola formed into a ball. The balls hold together well so you can easily toss a few in your bag for school/work or as a travel snack during road trips.

Mama and Kid-Friendly

I will say that as a nursing mama, I LOVE having these energy balls on hand for snacking. These don’t have brewer’s yeast like my lactation balls, but they still have oats and flaxseed… two foods that are great for boosting milk supply.

And for mamas with older kiddos, these balls are super kid-friendly! They will goggle them right up, trust me! Plus, they can totally help you with the process of making these too.

No Processor or Protein Powder Needed

The best part about this recipe? All you need is one bowl and there’s no need for a food processor. And these balls have a decent amount of protein (3 grams) without having to add protein powder. I know a lot of people ask about making my protein balls without protein powder, especially if they’re making them for kiddos, and this is the recipe I direct them to!

Glass mixing bowl with honey, coconut flakes, flax, oats, chocolate chips and peanut butter.

Ingredients Needed

The cool part about this recipe is that it only requires 8 simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have sitting in your pantry.

  • old fashioned rolled oats – my fave brand is Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats
  • natural peanut butter – I love the flavor that peanut butter adds to these balls but feel free to use your favorite nut butter.
  • honey – honey is the glue that binds these no bake energy balls together.
  • unsweetened shredded coconut – be sure to get unsweetened shredded coconut, not the sweetened coconut.
  • chocolate chips – I like using dark chocolate chips from Enjoy Life or Lily’s. Both of these options are dairy-free.
  • ground flaxseed – I add flax in to boost the nutrition, but this is an optional ingredient. Add it if you have it in your pantry and skip it if you don’t!
  • vanilla – this adds a hint of vanilla flavor.
  • sea salt – a little sea salt enhances the flavors in these energy balls.
Square food storage container packed with peanut butter energy balls.

No Food Processor Needed!

Most energy balls need a food processor to mix up… not these! The idea for these energy balls came to me because I wanted to share a simple recipe that you could make if you don’t have a food processor. It just requires one bowl and about 10 minutes of prep time.

To make these energy balls simply place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to combine. Place the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes to chill. Once the dough has chilled, bring the dough out of the fridge and roll into balls. It’s that easy!

Added bonus, this recipe is super kid-friendly. Kids can help by mixing all the ingredients together in a big bowl and assist with the rolling as well. They’ll love snacking on the balls once they’re made too!

Square food storage container packed with peanut butter energy balls.

Substitutions and Notes

This recipe is really forgiving and works well with a lot of different substitutions. Here are some common subs I get asked about often:

  • I haven’t tried it, but I’m pretty sure quick oats would work as a sub for rolled oats.
  • Peanut butter can be swapped for another nut butter like almond or cashew butter. Sunflower seed butter also works. Just be sure your nut butter is fresh (kind of drippy) and not super thick/dry. Thick or dry nut butters will make the energy balls dry and they won’t hold together very well.
  • Honey can be swapped for maple syrup, coconut nectar or agave nectar to make these vegan.
  • You can sub 2-3 Tablespoons more rolled oats for the shredded coconut.
  • You can sub chia seeds for the flaxseed or omit the flaxseed all together.
  • Chocolate chips can be left out or subbed for another add-in like raisins, dried cranberries or blueberries.

How to Store Energy Balls

You can store your energy balls in an airtight container. I like using glass storage containers or Stasher bags for storing energy balls. Store them in refrigerator or freezer. They’ll last up to 1-2 weeks in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. That said, they never last more than a week at our house!

Hand holding two peanut butter chocolate chip energy balls.

More Energy Ball Recipes

And be sure to check out all of the healthy snack recipes here on EBF.

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4.40 from 190 votes

No Bake Energy Balls

These peanut butter no bake energy balls require only one bowl, eight ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on prep time. You’ll love having them as a portable snack option!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ cup natural peanut butter
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips
  • 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of sea salt

Instructions 

  • Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir together well to combine.
  • Place bowl of “dough” in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour so it can set up.
  • Bring dough out of the fridge and roll into balls about 1 Tablespoon in size.
  • Store in a covered container in the fridge or freezer.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 11mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter energy balls
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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Recipe Rating




178 Comments

  1. I love these no bake recipes for sweet treats when it is so hot outside. Chocolate, peanut butter, and coconut are a great combination.

  2. Would these work without the coconut? I’m not sure if the coconut plays a role in holding them together.

  3. Congrats to your husband It is truly a blessing to do a job you love. Great recipe. Perfect for these hot days.

    1. Thank you so much, Lauren. I’ll pass on your congrats. And I agree, having a job you truly love is like winning the lottery. 🙂

  4. I was stunned when I woke up yesterday and heard the news… I was at the club last October after my team played in the softball world series down there. It’s unthinkable that could happen…

    But on to happier things, like your balls. 😉 They look amazing! Also, congrats to your man! He has Vegas’ dream job.

  5. I can’t even describe how excited I am that I have all the ingredients to make these right now!!!!!

  6. These little energy balls sound wonderful and are like oatmeal in a portable form! Happy 3 year Anniversary to you and Isaac and congrats on his new job – finding work in one’s passion is a true blessing! Wishing y’all much happiness!

  7. 5 stars
    These are delicious! I am on the TIU plan and needed a sweet treat that would be approved. I didn’t have any ground flaxseed, so I added some chia seeds instead. Yum! Thanks for all of the healthy recipes 🙂

  8. I’ve made these many times since you posted this recipe in 2016. I’ve tried different variations based on what I had on hand (e.g., chia seeds or vanilla hemp protein powder instead of ground flax, etc.), and they’ve always turned out.
    I just wanted to add that these are definitely kid approved – my kids love them! The only drag is that they can’t take them to school because of not being peanut-free. But they make great after-school snacks, and I’d rather they eat these than store-bought cookies or chips.

  9. 5 stars
    I was looking for a quick, easy and yummy recipe to bring in for a co-worker’s bday and these no-bake PB balls was exactly what I was looking for! Several people have come up to me saying how delicious they are and asked for the recipe! 🙂 Birthdays aside, I will definitely be making these for snacks in the future!

  10. 5 stars
    Just made them and they’re amazing! They’re so easy to make and go answer your question they’re very popular with kids. The difficulty is trying to keep my kid from the plate! I do have a query tho: I managed to make about 24 uneven sized balls and there are enough for a couple day’s worth of eat. How would you store them? Do they need to be refrigerated? Xx

    1. Hey Esther – I’m so glad you and your kids are enjoying these energy bars! You can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week or else in the freezer for up to 3 months!

    1. Yay!! So glad you enjoyed these energy balls, Meg. Thanks for trying them and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it!

    2. Hi,this looks so super easy and yummy! I have no coconut, should I just follow along without it or should I add more of something else?
      Thanks!
      Sue

  11. 5 stars
    These protein balls were so easy! They’re very sweet so they make for a tasty mid-day treat or healthy dessert, although I did eat one for breakfast this morning 🙂 Yum!

    1. So glad you’re enjoying these protein balls, Brooke! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it.<3

    1. So glad you’re loving these energy balls, Sam. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. 🙂

  12. 5 stars
    Yum! These energy bites are perfect for an afternoon snack! I appreciate that the ingredients are pantry staples and that I don’t have to pull out my food processor to make them 🙌🏼

    1. Aren’t they the best?! 🙂 So glad you’re loving these energy balls, Erika! I appreciate you making them and coming back to leave a comment + star rating.

  13. 5 stars
    I am obsessed with these No Bake energy balls! They are so easy and OMG, so delicious. I made a double batch and took a container to work to have throughout the week!

    1. Ahh yay! So glad you enjoyed these energy balls, Tara! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I appreciate it. 🙂

  14. 5 stars
    These energy balls are super delicious and simple to make, I’ll surely make them often and will share the recipe with everyone!

    1. Woot woot! So glad you’re loving these energy balls, Lou. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  15. 5 stars
    I have a 2 week old baby and this is literally the only recipe I have the energy for . I crave them they are so good!!

  16. 5 stars
    I LOVE these energy balls. They are the perfect afternoon treat for when I am craving something sweet but also need to have a healthy snack.

    1. So glad you’re a fan of these energy balls, Shannon! I appreciate you coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It means the world to me. <3

    1. Woot woot!! So pumped to hear you guys are loving these. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating, Cathie. I appreciate it. <3

  17. 5 stars
    My daughter made these this summer and before she left for college I had her make one more batch for me!! I love them! These will be great for her after a soccer practice as a pickup treat! Couldn’t find ground flax seed so we used my hand blender and it ground them up nicely.

    1. I’m so glad you’ve been loving these energy balls, Jacquelyn! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!

    1. Ahh yay!! So glad you’re loving these energy balls, Chelsea. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3

  18. 5 stars
    My favorite energy ball recipe! I made them with my 4 yr old and we both love them. The first words out of my husband’s mouth when he tasted them were “oh, wow!” 🙂

    1. Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear, Alex! I’m so pumped these energy balls are a hit. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3

  19. 5 stars
    These might be the easiest peanut butter balls I’ve ever made. One bowl, simple ingredients I always have in my kitchen, soooo tasty. I’ve swapped almond butter for the peanut butter and those turn out delicious, too. Yummy, healthy treat.

    1. Ahh yay!! So glad you loved these energy balls, Cathy!! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  20. 5 stars
    Made these and they didn’t last long at all, whole family loved them, perfect sweet fix during the working day and so easy to make!

    1. So glad these energy balls were a hit with your family, Clare!! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I appreciate it. <3

  21. 5 stars
    Um, these are AMAZING. Consistancy of no-bake chocolate cookies but loving the no refined sugar. I love eveything I’ve ever made from your site, and these are are extra awesome because they are so easy to make with my 3 year old. Thank you for creating healthy and delicious food!

    1. Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Sarah!! I’m so glad these energy balls are a hit. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It means the world to me. <3

  22. 5 stars
    I just stumbled across this recipe and am so glad I did!!! I love that it’s so quick and easy, and I love the fact that my 5 year old loves these treats. Thank you for sharing this, I’m going to definitely be checking out the other recipes on this site.

    1. Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Cassie! I’m so glad you and your daughter are loving these energy balls. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3

  23. 5 stars
    Best energy balls I’ve found! They are absolutely delicious and unbelievably easy to make – no food processor and no baking! EBF is brilliant for this recipe. Initially made them for me and my husband and now my picky 6-year-old makes a special request for them. We have to limit how many he can have! I’ve even made some batches for friends who raved about them. Just excellent!

    1. Woot woot!! This makes me so happy to hear, Jackie! I’m so glad this recipe is a hit with the whole fam. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. The reviews are super helpful for other readers, so I really appreciate it. <3

  24. 5 stars
    I made these for a road trip to keep us away from too many fast food or gas station snacks and they were a HIT! Hubs requested them for work week snacks and I am so thrilled with how easy they are.

    1. Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Mallory!! I’m so glad these energy balls were a hit. Thanks for making them + for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3

  25. 3 stars
    I thought these were just ok. I found there was too much oatmeal (dry ingredient) relative to the amount of peanut butter. I reduced the oatmeal by 1/3 cup. The oatmeal needs to be toasted first in the oven since raw oats doesn’t taste great. Also too sweet for me. I reduced the amount of honey and omitted the chocolate chips. I used a few raisins instead.

  26. 5 stars
    I’ve been making these for my kids forever now. They love them so much that I have to hide them. I substitute sun butter so that they are nut free and always triple the recipe. I also keep them frozen. They almost taste like frozen cookie dough. They think they are having dessert every time they eat them.

  27. 5 stars
    I made these with sunflower butter so my kids could take them to school and I subbed hemp seeds for coconut (as I didn’t have on hand) and it was delicious! The kids had fun helping (this is a great one to do with kids). They freeze well and hold together in a lunch box 🙂 5 stars

    1. Woo!! So glad these energy balls were a hit! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  28. 4 stars
    Just made the no bake protein balls! Super easy and best of all so yummy! Grab one in the morning and ready to consider the day!

    1. Woo!! So glad you enjoyed these energy balls. Thanks for making them and for the review. I so appreciate it!

  29. 5 stars
    I LOVE these! These are my go-to snack and I make them every week. thank you for this recipe! I did add chia seeds and love the extra crunch 🙂

  30. Looks delicious but I only have regular (Kraft lite) peanut butter, which isn’t as drippy as natural peanut butter. Suggestions?

  31. I made this did not use the coconut but out punkin seeds and slices almonds. And use chia seeds. They are great and nice easy recipe. Thanks

  32. 5 stars
    These were so delicious! I followed the recipe to the tee except for the chocolate chips because when I went to find them the bag was nowhere to be found 🤦‍♀️. So I subbed raw pumpkin seeds instead and they were perfect! Such a yummy sweet treat!

  33. 5 stars
    I’m really hoping to make this recipe for my kids, but my daughter is allergic to coconut. Would you recommend omitting the coconut or replacing it with something?Thank you!

      1. 5 stars
        I’ve been making these for years. They are incredibly fantastic. Years ago I sent both of our children all the ingredients and the recipe. My granddaughter makes these l the time! Absolutely wonderful!

        1. Woo!! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying these energy balls, Diana! Thanks for the review. It means so much to me!

            1. I would use pure maple syrup versus pancake syrup if you’re looking for a sub for the honey. 🙂

  34. was wondering about how many does this recipe feed when making them tiny like how you did?

  35. 5 stars
    Absolutely loved them fan favourite in my house and so simple and quick. Going too try some some variety balls on here throughout the week. Thanks guys

    1. It’s hard to just have one!! So glad you loved them. Thanks for making these and for the review, Susannah!

  36. I have made this recipe over and over again and it never disappoints. I have altered the honey level, the nut butter,omitted the coconut and it turns out every time. Perfect for the before dinner hangries!

    1. Yay!! This makes me so happy to hear! So glad these energy balls have been such a hit, Gwyn! Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate it!

  37. I challenge anyone to have these in their fridge/freezer for more than a day. These are the perfect treat – go great with coffee for breakfast or an afternoon pick me up. No alterations made perfect recipe thanks!

  38. 5 stars
    I challenge anyone to have these in your freezer (my favorite) or fridge for longer than a day. They are the perfect snack with a coffee or afternoon pick me up. Thanks for sharing.

  39. 5 stars
    I am going to make these today but we are on a low-sugar diet. Any suggestions on how to lower the sugar in these? I assume the sugar is mostly due to the honey and chocolate chips (which are a must!)

    1. You can reduce the amount of honey you use and I like to use Lily’s dark chocolate chips which are sugar-free 🙂

  40. 5 stars
    My daughter’s favorite snack! She asks for these alllll the time! Thank you for an amazing recipe that makes my 6 year old smile! 💕

    1. Aw yay! This makes me so happy to hear, Cheryl! So glad your daughter is loving these. Thanks so much for the review :).

  41. 4 stars
    These energy snacks are great especially for someone who is trying to curb their sweet tooth! My energy balls came out a little dry, but actually got better after a day stored in the fridge. Between my boyfriend and I the energy balls only lasted 5 days in our house! So they were a major success. I only took off one star because they were a little dry, but the flavor was like eating a Reese’s and I was so happy!!

    1. So glad you enjoyed these energy balls, Amanda! Sorry they were a bit dry, you could always add a bit more honey or a splash of almond milk if this happens again. Thanks so much for the review!

  42. 5 stars
    Love these! I like to make a double batch and have them for breakfast or as an easy snack. Unfortunately they don’t last long in my house between my husband and I!

  43. 5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe multiple times! It’s so customizable – I’ve substituted different nut butters, and have used different mix-ins such as dried cranberries! SO YUMMY!

  44. 5 stars
    I’m obsessed with energy balls now! So easy to make and perfect to eat in between teaching classes. Such a great recipe!

  45. 5 stars
    These no bake energy balls are SO delicious. They’re like eating ooey gooey cookie dough, but healthier and a great snack to fix those sweet cravings!

    1. Ah yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed these energy balls, Andrea! Thanks so much for the review and star rating. I really appreciate it!

  46. No bake protein balls were so good. Can’t wait to make them again. I recommend, they are easy to make and a nice quick snack. All the ingredients are some you have in your pantry and only takes 10 minutes to make. The hard part is waiting for them to set in the fridge😂. Hundred percent recommend!

    1. Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Avery!! Thanks for making it and for the review. I so appreciate it!

    1. Yay!! Happy to hear these energy balls were a hit, Gretchen! Thanks for trying them out and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!

  47. 5 stars
    These were so good! My kids love them too and I’ve already made them several times. They will be in our snack rotation from now on! Thanks for the recipe!!

    1. Yay!! Happy to hear these no bake energy balls were a hit, Katy. Thanks for the review. It means so much to me!

      1. Hi, Shelley. I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see why not. I suggest pressing them down with a sheet of parchment paper and cutting them to size. Let me know how they turn out.

  48. 5 stars
    OMG!!!!!!

    Those energy balls are hands down the BEST peanut butter balls I have had yet.
    Thank you so much for the recipe it was so yummy!

    1. Woo! I am So excited to hear that you loved this recipe, Jaycee! Thank you so much for your review + star rating!

  49. 5 stars
    These are always in our fridge! My family prefers no coconut flakes and they still turn out great! Highly recommended doubling (quadrupling- no judgement here!)

    1. 5 stars
      LOVE these. Made a double batch for a new mom. So delicious and easy. My 2 year old loves them too! I love the coconut in there too. Thanks!!

      1. Yay! So glad these energy balls have been a hit! Thanks for making it and for the review!

  50. 5 stars
    One of the few no-bake energy ball recipes that is actually super easy to make and tastes amazing! I’ve made it for friends and family and everyone always loves it. I also always add crushed unsalted almonds for a better flavor.

    1. Ah yay! I am thrilled to hear that you are enjoying this recipe, James. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!

  51. 5 stars
    tried these and loved them.great for my weight loss.i want to try all the other ones but have to get protien powder. thank you

    1. AH YAY! I am so happy to hear that this recipe is a hit, Terrie! Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

  52. My energy balls didn’t ‘set’ very well. I tried one batch with honey and one with maple syrup. What might I be doing wrong?

    1. Hi Jill. Can you tell me more about them not setting. Are they still sticky? What type of oats are you using?

  53. 5 stars
    Delicious! I’m having trouble getting the balls to stick? Looks more like crumbled granola…not sure what I didn’t do right but what makes it stick so I can make the balls?

    1. Hi Margaret – You might need to add some more liquid (honey or peanut butter), did you use natural PB? It just sounds like it is a bit dry.

  54. 5 stars
    Delicious!!! I’m a lover of all the ingredients in these little snack!!! Will have to triple the recipe next time!!! Thank you for sharing this great recipe with us!!

    1. Yay! So glad these energy balls were a hit, Millie! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

        1. Absolutely! I am so glad you’re enjoying this recipe and it turned out great for you, Leah. Thank you for your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!

  55. 5 stars
    Thanks so much! This was the exact recipe I was looking for to replicate the energy balls from my local juice bar. They are perfect for my dietary needs and so easily modifiable (added chia and granola butter to my first batch)!

    1. Absolutely! I am so glad that you are loving this recipe, Jacie. The chia and granola butter sound like a delicious addition, thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it!

  56. Just made these and they are fantastic! I followed the recipe exactly and they really are delicious!
    Thank you so much for taking the time to share this recipe… as well as for adding in the dietary information
    I’m 52 years old and a vegetarian and I’m starting to need to look at the calories protein carbs etc…i take throughout the day… These will be wonderful healthy snack!

    1. Of course! I am so glad you found this recipe and are loving these. Thank you so much for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!

    1. Amazing! I am so excited to hear that you are loving this recipe, Anna. Thanks so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

  57. 5 stars
    Made these today and will definitely be making them again. Family gives this recipe a big thumbs 👍

    1. WOO! So glad you and the family are loving these energy balls, Particia. Thanks so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

  58. 5 stars
    Back again to comment on these staples in our home! I omit the coconut (preference) and they set just fine. When ever I am bringing a meal to someone I always include these. Thank you Brittany!

    1. WOO! THis is the best! I am so glad you found this recipe and are loving these energy balls. I totally agree, they are perfect to bring along side a meal for someone. Thanks so much for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!