No Bake Energy Balls (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip)

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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.

No bake chocolate chip energy balls on a sheet pan.

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

Ingredients for no bake chocolate chip energy balls on a table.

How To Make Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

Yep, this recipe comes together in just 4 easy steps and 15 minutes.

  1. Mix. Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together until it’s fully combined.
  2. Roll. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop and roll the dough into balls. Then place onto a parchment lined baking tray.
  3. 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.

Mixing ingredients and making no bake chocolate chip energy balls.

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.

No bake chocolate chip energy balls in a white bowl.

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!

No bake chocolate chip energy balls on a table.

No Bake Energy Balls (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip)

5 from 33 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 5 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 18 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Chocolate chip energy balls are delicious bite sized treats filled with easy, healthy and energy-boosting ingredients!

Ingredients 
 

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.
    Chocolate chip energy balls next to a bowl with its ingredients.
  • Place the balls on a plate and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up, then enjoy!
    A sheet pan with no bake chocolate chip energy balls

Lisa's Tips

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate chip energy balls, energy balls recipe, no bake energy balls
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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Recipe Rating




98 Comments

  1. Addicted to this recipe and have shared it with so many friends who all love the recipe too! I’ve learned to put my oats in a ninja just to blend them down a little as the balls roll so much better that way. Also I use organic almond butter, store bought, with not much oil. The balls last for over a week in my fridge and are such a fabulous snack any time of day. Thanks again Lisa for another staple recipe I use in my life.5 stars

  2. My new go to lunchbox snack! These no-bake energy balls are my absolute favorite. They are chewy and crunchy and keep me energized throughout the day. Plus, they are so simple and are so quick and easy to make! Thank you Lisa!

  3. These are the BEST snack balls for that late mid-afternoon at my desk, holds me until dinner.
    THANK YOU!!!!!5 stars

      1. I’m not a big fan of coconut. If I leave it out, do I need to add in something else for consistency sake? Maybe flaxseed? Side note, I absolutely LOVE your recipes. I’m looking to improve my eating habits without sacrificing flavor and your recipes are such a huge help! ESPECIALLY your types on anti-inflammatory foods. I’m trying to get myself going on this. Actually have some chocolate Chia pudding in fridge right now, Haha, just waiting to be tasted! So, THANK YOU! 😊

      2. Hi Kristy – so happy you love my recipes, thank you! You could leave the coconut out, or swap in a few dates for the coconut, which will also help bind them. Enjoy!

  4. Happy Birthday!!! A trip to Alaska is a pretty nice birthday present for yourself.

    These energy balls were something new for me but chocolate and mint, who could turn that down? Yum, yum! Loved these and will make these often.5 stars

  5. So yummy! I used sunflower seed butter m. These were delicious and have the added benefit of the protein/carb balance so you don’t have that sugar crash. Thank you!5 stars

  6. 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!! 5 stars

  7. I’d totally recommend these for a summer, hot weather dessert! Really liked that it’s a no bake recipe.5 stars

  8. These are phenomenal! Ridiculously easy to make and taste so good! I added craisins and chopped peanuts. Wonderful snack on the go!5 stars

  9. 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!5 stars

  10. 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 :) 5 stars

  11. 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!5 stars

  12. I just made your energy balls but I hard a hard time putting them together in balls!

    Any trick to that to do better?

  13. 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!  5 stars

  14. Hi Lisa,
    I want to try this, what brand flaxseed do you use?

    Your recipes are great !
    Thanks in advance 
    Liz

  15. 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

  16. 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.5 stars

  17. 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

  18. Hello Lisa…
    All your recipes are amazing…
    Have 1 question.. can i replace the almond butter with peanut butter?

    Thank you

  19. 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?5 stars

    1. 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.

  20. 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!5 stars

  21. Is there a substitute for the coconut or is it okay to leave it out? My family are not big fans. Thanks!

      1. 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.5 stars

  22. 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!5 stars

    1. 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 :)

    2. 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.

  23. 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.5 stars

  24. 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.5 stars

  25. 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. 5 stars

  26. 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!!! :)5 stars

  27. 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!5 stars

  28. Any suggestions for how to get these to stick together without the nut butter? I can’t have any nuts or seeds =(

    1. 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!

  29. 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.
    Thanks5 stars

  30. My family is a pretty snack obsessed bunch. And this no-bake chocolate chip recipe is quickly becoming one of our favorite treats.5 stars

  31. 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!5 stars

  32. Could SERIOUSLY do with these in my life – the kid keeps waking me up at night. Thanks for the recipe!5 stars

  33. 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!