No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Balls (Energy Balls)

These No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Balls (also known as energy balls) are an easy portable breakfast, snack, or dessert. They’re made with only healthy ingredients and ready in a quick 10 minutes!

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2019 and has been republished with all new photos.

I’m always on the look out for healthy snacks or breakfast options. These No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Balls are commonly referred to as energy balls or no bake energy bites. They’re similar to a granola bar but even easier and more portable (which I think is the best part). I’ve found it’s a good idea to have these around for a quick snack you can grab throughout your day. I also love this easy snack for when I’m playing tennis and need a little something to give me a boost. These are a hit in lunch boxes or at kids sporting events too. And don’t forget to pack this no bake treat for road trips!

No bake energy balls can be made with all kinds of fun mix-ins but this flavor combination is my favorite. The idea is that they have a good mix of carbs, protein, fiber, and healthy fats. We’re using simple ingredients like oats, nuts, nut butter, honey, vanilla, and chocolate chips. What could possibly beat that?!

Some energy ball recipes are made with ingredients you may not have. My goal is to really keep things simple with common pantry ingredients so you can throw these together whenever you want! Feel free to incorporate other mix-ins like chia seeds, ground flaxseed, hemp seeds, or protein powder. You can even omit the chocolate chips and use diced dried fruit instead. (If you do switch things up with additional dry ingredients be prepared to increase your nut butter to achieve the right texture.) My recipe below is my favorite but it’s always fun to experiment with different flavors.

If you’re wanting more healthy snack recipes, I recommend checking out my No Bake Chocolate Cashew Cookie Balls (similar to this version but with cocoa powder and cashews) or my Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars. They’re also loaded with nutritious ingredients and can satisfy your sweet tooth.

No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Ball Ingredients

• Rolled oats (also called old fashioned oats): Rolled oats will break down quickly in the food processor or blender to give us the best finished texture for these balls.
• Nuts: Use whatever nuts you like best. I prefer pecans or walnuts here.
• Nut butter: You can use whatever nut butter you prefer in these bars. Almond butter, peanut butter, and cashew butter are great options.
• Pure maple syrup or honey: Both pure maple syrup or honey can be used to sweeten these balls. You can find more information on why I recommend them below.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is a must in so many desserts. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference!
• Mini chocolate chips: Feel free to use dark chocolate chips or semi sweet chocolate chips. Both work beautifully here.

Pulse oats and nuts in a food processor or blender until they’re in small pieces.

Combine all ingredients including the processed oats and nuts in a large bowl. Stir.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls.

Spread balls on a parchment paper lined plate or 9×13 baking sheet and refrigerate for a few minutes until firm. Then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months.

What kind of oats are best to use?

You want to use rolled oats (also called old fashioned oats) to get the best texture. Although I love steel cut oats, I don’t recommend them here because they’re harder to break down and will make your finished texture a bit gritty. Rolled oats have already gone through more processing so they break apart easily to create an oat flour once pulsed in a food processor or blender. That gives you the best possible consistency.

What nut butter is best to use?

You can use any nut butter you like. Peanut, almond, and cashew butters all work especially well!

Can you use a seed butter like SunButter?

Yes! You can use sunflower seed butter in these easy energy bites. Just use it the exact same way you’d use the nut butter in this recipe.

Are these nutritious energy balls vegan and dairy free?

Yes, these are vegan and dairy free if you use maple syrup and vegan chocolate chips.

Pure Maple Syrup vs Honey as a Sweetener

You can use pure maple syrup or honey in these chocolate chip cookie balls and lots of other sweet treats. But let’s discuss the differences between the two:

Pure maple syrup has a teeny tiny edge over honey when it comes to nutrition (but not much). It’s lower in calories (52 vs 64 calories in each tablespoon) and sugar. Pure maple syrup also has more micronutrients (including calcium, manganese, zinc, and riboflavin) and possesses antioxidants.

Honey has less fat and sodium than pure maple syrup. Honey is also thought to have antibacterial properties.

Both pure maple syrup and honey have anti-inflammatory properties. Both have a lower glycemic index than sugar which means they won’t spike your blood sugar levels as quickly.

Ultimately these are two deliciously great natural options to use for sweetening baked goods, savory dishes, and drinks. Of course, it’s recommended to incorporate any sweetener into your diet in moderation.

How to meal prep with energy balls

I love these balls for meal prep. I know they taste decadent (and like a cookie!) but the ingredients are completely healthy! These are excellent for grab and go breakfasts, snacking, or desserts.

I like to make a big batch (you can double or triple the recipe if you want) and freeze what you won’t be eating in the next two weeks in an airtight container. I recommend separating the rows with parchment paper (at least until they’re frozen) so they don’t all stick together. You can then move them all to a ziplock bag for easy freezer storage. They’ll be good in the freezer for 3 months!

How to store these chocolate chip cookie balls

Store these No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I do not recommend keeping them at room temperature .

Share the Love: