No Bake Energy Balls (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip)
No bake energy balls are delicious bite sized treats filled with oatmeal, shredded coconut, almond butter, flaxseeds, and chocolate chips. It takes just 15 minutes to process, roll, and enjoy! Meal prep these as a healthy snack or to satisfy your after-dinner dessert cravings.
An Easy Healthy Snack
There’s no doubt that energy balls have become a Downshiftology favorite. They give you just the right amount of energy, are loaded with healthy ingredients, and taste oh so good. So if you’ve never had them before, it’s time to hop on the bandwagon.
Just like my banana bread energy balls or matcha pistachio bliss balls, they’re made from a combination of healthy fats, fiber, carbohydrates, and protein. But don’t worry, all you need are easy pantry staples such as rolled oats, nuts, seeds, fresh or dried fruit, honey, and vanilla extract.
No Bake Energy Ball Ingredients
While the flavor combinations are endless, today is a chocolate chip kind of day. It’s like a healthier chocolate chip cookie, but rolled into an energy ball. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Rolled oats are going to be the best for texture (and I’m making sure to use gluten-free rolled oats here).
- Shredded Coconut: You can toast your shredded coconut or leave it raw.
- Almond Butter: Creamy almond butter is my go-to. But you can also use peanut butter, cashew butter, or any other nut butter.
- Flaxseed: This will give your energy balls a healthy dose of Omega-3s, protein, and fiber!
- Chocolate Chips: I always love to use Pascha Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. But, feel free to use whichever ones you like.
- Honey: This is a great choice to help bind the dough together, while adding a hint of natural sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Helps to enhance the rest of the delicious flavors.
- Salt: A pinch of this to balance out the sweetness.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
How To Make Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
Yep, this recipe comes together in just 4 easy steps and 15 minutes.
- Mix. Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together until it’s fully combined.
- Roll. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop and roll the dough into balls. Then place onto a parchment lined baking tray.
- Chill. Place the tray in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to let the balls firm up, then enjoy!
Rolling Tips: If you find your energy balls are breaking apart while rolling, add a little more honey or almond butter to the dough. If they’re too soft, place the dough in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before rolling.
How To Store Energy Balls
To store: You can store these either in the fridge or on your counter at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Either way, just make sure to place them in an airtight container.
To meal prep: If you’d like to store them longer, you can also freeze them! Just make sure to separate the balls with parchment or wax paper so they don’t stick together.
More Meal Prep Snacks
I don’t know about you, but easy and healthy snacks are a must. Especially for busy weekdays when you need that midday fuel. Here’s a few ideas you can meal prep for the week to satisfy any craving!
- Classic Hummus + sliced cucumbers or red bell peppers
- Trail Mix Granola Bars
- Hard Boiled Eggs with a pinch of salt
- Chia Seed Pudding (which you can also freeze!)
- Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Bites
No Bake Energy Balls (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip)
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup almond butter
- ½ cup ground flaxseed
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir together.
- Scoop the dough with cookie scoop (it helps to keep them about the same size) and roll them into balls. If the dough feels to dry, you can add more honey. If it's too sticky, place it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Place the balls on a plate and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up, then enjoy!
We loved these!! I’ve made them a few times now and always double the recipe!! I haven’t had the flax or coconut on hand so add a cup of hemp hearts and a little less honey – they are perfect!! I’ve rolled them in balls but now I’ve gotten lazy and sprayed a 9X13 pan and just pressed them in, put the pan in the freezer for a while and then cut them up and transferred them to a gallon ziplock after cut up! We love to eat them from the freezer – soooooo good!!
I’d totally recommend these for a summer, hot weather dessert! Really liked that it’s a no bake recipe.
That’s the beauty of energy balls!
I don’t have coconut flakes. Would it be okay to leave them out or do I need to sub them for something?
I think the recipe should still work just fine without them.
These are phenomenal! Ridiculously easy to make and taste so good! I added craisins and chopped peanuts. Wonderful snack on the go!
There are so good and ridiculously easy!! I somehow had exactly 1/4 cup of almond butter left so I made a half recipe and it made 11 balls with my small scoop. I love raisins so subbed them for the chocolate chips and added some cinnamon. I also added about a tablespoon of coconut oil to firm them up even more in the fridge. I work out early in the morning and don’t have time to eat a full breakfast beforehand, so a couple of these will be a perfect pre-workout energy boost!
These are ridiculously yummy! My new favourite energy ball recipe! Thank you Lisa! I switched the nut butter for tahini as that’s what I had and it worked a treat :)
Glad these energy balls worked out great with tahini instead Charlotte!
These are great because they’re so versatile! I used oats, coconut flakes, peanut butter, chia seeds, maple syrup, and macadamia nuts because those are things I had on hand. They were ready in minutes. Awesome idea!
I just made your energy balls but I hard a hard time putting them together in balls!
Any trick to that to do better?
I make these for my husband and he loves them. I have used both the almond and peanut butter. He enjoys both versions. I can’t eat oats so I make the mango date balls for myself using a variety of fruits. Thanks, Lisa, for satisfying and healthy snacks for each of us!
Hi Lisa,
I want to try this, what brand flaxseed do you use?
Your recipes are great !
Thanks in advance
Liz
Hi Liz – I use Spectrum Essentials. Enjoy!
These literally took 5 mins to make and turned out delicious. I love that I can now make a fairly healthy snack so fast.
And that’s the beauty of energy balls!
Hi Lisa 😀 I made these this afternoon and used raisins instead of chocolate chips (because I didn’t have any). They were maybe a bit bigger than intended, I only managed 12 and they were absolutely delicious. I’ve only just discovered your website and I haven’t found a recipe I haven’t liked so far 😋 xx
That could be because you were using a large cookie scoop, as I’m using a smaller one to create 18 balls :)
Can you use tahini in place of the almond butter? Trying to make these school lunch friendly as we aren’t suppose to send any peanut/nut products in. Thanks for the great recipes, they have been lifesavers.
It should be okay, although, it will change the taste of the balls.
Hello,
I would love to try this recipe but as I am allergic to coconut I was wondering if I coul replace the shredded coconut with shredded almonds or other nuts?
Thank you so much for your great recipes! I would love to find some recipes that are FODMAP compliant.
Lots of greetings from Germany from Sabine
Absolutely! You can add other chopped nuts to this recipe.
Very tasty, my teenage son loves them too
Happy to hear your son enjoys these energy balls!
Hello Lisa…
All your recipes are amazing…
Have 1 question.. can i replace the almond butter with peanut butter?
Thank you
Yes, you can :)
I actually came to ask the same question :)
This recipe has been a life saver! It totally satisfies my cravings for something sweet. I’ve made it using honey and maple syrup…both are delicious. My husband doesn’t like coconut, are there any substitutions?
Happy to hear this recipe is a sweet snack lifesaver! :) As for the coconut, it’s a big component to this recipe unfortunately. So I would suggest to try my banana bread energy balls or mango date balls instead.
Love this recipe! I make it at least once a week so as to have something to snack on thats more nutritious than processed snacks. Great pre or post workout! I generally sub peanut butter as thats what we keep in the house and sometimes use a bit less chocolate but I imagine theres so many variations you could do with these! Would love to see more energy ball recipes – the banana bread ones are also great!
These are definitely customizable when it comes the nuts, but I’m glad you love them!
Is there a substitute for the coconut or is it okay to leave it out? My family are not big fans. Thanks!
Hi Amanda – you can leave the coconut out.
Have made several times without the coconut and it’s been great! Thanks for the recipe, great to make and have on hand for a healthy, sweet snack.
Happy to hear you’re loving these energy balls Amanda!
Hello Lisa,
I would love to try this recipe but do not have ground flaxseed. What can i use instead?
Thank you!
Hi Charlene – you can just leave it off the recipe then.
So easy and quick to make, and the perfect snack! For a new mom with little time on her hands, this was perfect to make in between my son’s naps. Definitely making this more!
Glad this was an easy and healthy snack you could whip up Rachel!
Energy balls look amazing. What can I substitute for rolled oats? Thanks
Hi Angela – Unfortunately this recipe calls for oats. But you can try my mango date energy balls or matcha pistachio bliss balls. Those don’t have oats in them :)
I wondered the same thing. I’ve read that quinoa flakes can be used sometimes in place of oats, but I haven’t tried it. I might give it a try, but I’d also be interested in Lisa’s opinion of this.
i keep a batch of these or the banana bread energy balls in the frig at all times. such a handy snack size and nutritious to boot.
The perfect thing to have when you get hungry between breakfast and lunch while at school! :)
So glad you enjoyed these no bake energy balls!
Such a great snack to make while meal prepping for the week. I can go into my fridge when that chocolate craving strikes. Very easy to make and always have the ingredients on hand.
Happy to hear you love these energy balls Sue! :)
Quick and easy. I use maple syrup in place of honey to cut the sweetness a little (my husband prefers the sweeter honey ones though) and they are SO GOOD! I love that they are quick to make when we need a fast snack for the week.
Wonderful! Glad you love these no bake energy balls Melissa!
We make these regularly at my house. So simple, and they’re a great way to get kids involved in making something wholesome. Wonderful for breakfast or for a snack. Thx Lisa!!! :)
Absolutely! Definitely a kid friendly snack :)
Another yummy recipe. Used peanut butter in place of almond butter for these, but oh so tasty.
Glad you enjoyed these energy balls Sandra!
I made these about 2 weeks ago and this recipe is a winner! They make an excellent snack that actually satisfies and gives a bit of energy. I might have used a hand mixer as my hands are starting to get arthritis but same good looking result! I am grateful for your healthy and easy to make recipes!
Happy to hear you loved these energy balls Sharon! They are definitely one of my favorite snacks as well :)
Any suggestions for how to get these to stick together without the nut butter? I can’t have any nuts or seeds =(
Hi Megan- You can try using dates, but it will alter the flavor for this :/. Ill be sure to make one that’s nut-free at some point!
Try Sun butter, hopefully you can have sunflower seeds.
Hi! Do you ever soak your oats for this recipe?
Nope! There’s no need to :)
Made these today ,my hands were messy but it was worth it,they are lovely I had them by with Earl Grey tea with warm cream.Divine they hit my sweet tooth it’s my treat starting from today.Thanjs Lisa I’ve tried most of your recipes they are all divine How many of the energy oats balls cannot have per serving.
Thanks
Wonderful! So glad you loved these chocolate energy balls Jane :)
Can I make these with Peanut Butter? I don’t have Almond Butter and would like to try these today.
Yep! Peanut butter is totally fine. I normally don’t use peanut butter as my nephew is allergic :(
Hi is this 141 calories per ball? Thank u
Hi Jackie – Yes, the nutritional facts will always be per serving!
My family is a pretty snack obsessed bunch. And this no-bake chocolate chip recipe is quickly becoming one of our favorite treats.
Wonderful! This really is the perfect snack for the entire family to satisfy those sweet cravings :)
I think I need to make a big batch of these and enjoy throughout a day – they can surely keep you energized at all times!
Most definitely Elaine!
Could SERIOUSLY do with these in my life – the kid keeps waking me up at night. Thanks for the recipe!
This will be the perfect treat for kids that are on the healthier side Gavin :)
These look so delicious and tasty! My family is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try!
Hope you all enjoy this one Beth!
Hi Lisa. This looks amazing!! Definitely going to make this soon. Please can you advise on the nutritional side if it is per energy ball or per batch? I’m currently on a weight-loss journey and I’m calorie counting and a bit new to it. Sending best wishes from Southern Africa!
Hi Jolene- Yes, the nutritional facts will always be per serving :)