Peanut Energy Balls

Featured in Finger Foods and Party Favorites.

In just 5 minutes, combine peanut butter, protein powder, flaxseed, oats, and more for a healthy, no-bake treat. Like cookie dough but even better for you.
Aisha
Updated on Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:15:30 GMT
A bowl filled with chocolatey oat energy spheres, one split open to reveal its gooey inside, scattered with chocolate chips close by. Pin it
A bowl filled with chocolatey oat energy spheres, one split open to reveal its gooey inside, scattered with chocolate chips close by. | cookingflavor.com

These No-Bake Peanut Butter Power Nuggets take just 5 minutes to whip up and taste just like cookie dough! They're loaded with good-for-you stuff like flax, chia, and oats, giving you plenty of protein and healthy fats in every bite. Perfect for when you're running around, these chewy treats come together super fast and travel anywhere you do.

What Makes These Nuggets Special

You'll fall in love with how fast these power nuggets come together and how easily you can switch up the ingredients. They're totally perfect when life gets hectic, giving you a grab-and-go snack full of protein and omega-3s that keeps your energy up. They've got that yummy peanut butter cookie flavor but won't wreck your healthy eating plans. Whether you're planning meals ahead or need something quick, these no-bake goodies will save your day!

What You'll Need

  • Creamy Natural Peanut Butter: 1 cup, without added sugar.
  • Old-Fashioned Oats: 1 cup for heartiness and fiber.
  • Vanilla Protein Powder: ½ cup to amp up the protein.
  • Chia Seeds: 2 tablespoons packed with nutrients.
  • Ground Flaxseed: ¼ cup full of omega-3s.
  • Mini Dark Chocolate Chips: ⅓ cup for sweetness.
  • Honey: ¼ cup to sweeten naturally.
  • Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon for extra flavor.

Simple Steps to Make Power Nuggets

Combine Wet Elements
Mix peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl until smooth.
Add Dry Components
Stir in oats, protein powder, ground flaxseed, and chia seeds until everything's well blended.
Mix in the Goodies
Gently add the mini chocolate chips and make sure they're spread throughout the mixture.
Shape Your Nuggets
With clean hands or a small scoop, roll the mix into 1-inch balls. If it sticks too much, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes first.
Let Them Set
Put your nuggets on a parchment-lined tray and stick them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
A close-up of a bowl filled with energy balls made of oats, nuts, and chocolate chips, with one ball cut in half to reveal its interior. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl filled with energy balls made of oats, nuts, and chocolate chips, with one ball cut in half to reveal its interior. | cookingflavor.com

Creative Twists and Keeping Them Fresh

Don't do nuts? Swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter. Want bars instead of balls? Just press everything into a parchment-lined loaf pan and slice after chilling. Keep them in your fridge for up to a week, or toss them in the freezer for a month. When you pull them from the freezer, let them sit out for 5-10 minutes before munching.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I skip protein powder?
Sure, you don't need protein powder. Swap it with extra oats if the mix feels too wet. The taste and nutrients will change slightly, but it'll still be great.
→ What if I'm allergic to nuts?
Switch out peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version. It'll taste a bit different but will hold up well.
→ How do I store them best?
Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for a week or freeze for two months. They're tasty straight from the fridge or frozen.
→ Why isn’t it sticking together?
Different peanut butter or protein powders can change the texture. Add more oats if it's wet or a bit of honey or peanut butter if it's too dry.
→ Can these be made without a food processor?
Yep, just use a bowl and mix by hand. Start with the wet ingredients, then stir in the dry ones. Knead it a bit if needed to bring it all together.

Conclusion

In just 5 minutes, combine peanut butter, protein powder, flaxseed, oats, and more for a healthy, no-bake treat. Like cookie dough but even better for you.

Peanut Energy Balls

Quick, no-cook snacks with peanut butter, protein powder, and nutrient-rich add-ins. A sweet, satisfying grab-and-go option.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
5 Minutes
By: Aicha


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (10 balls)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1/3 cup protein powder you like best.
02 1 tablespoon plant-based mini chocolate chips (if vegan, use vegan ones).
03 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional to include).
04 1 tablespoon chia seeds for texture.
05 1/3 cup ground flaxseed.
06 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
07 1/2 cup of rolled oats (opt for gluten-free, if needed).
08 1/4 cup honey, or swap with date syrup or coconut syrup.
09 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence.
10 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (or almond butter as a substitute).

Instructions

Step 01

Place peanut butter, honey, vanilla, protein powder, oats, flaxseed, cinnamon, and chia seeds in your food processor bowl. Blend everything together till it’s mixed well. Toss in the chocolate chips (also coconut if using), and blend briefly. Gently grab the dough using your hands or a medium cookie scoop, form them into 10 individual balls, and store in an airtight box.

Step 02

Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl, stir until it’s all blended. Mix in the dry ingredients and work the dough with your hands if needed. The mixture should be sticky enough to shape into small balls.

Step 03

Refrigerate them for up to a week or stash them in the freezer for 2 months max.

Notes

  1. Skip the protein powder if you'd prefer—add extra oats to fix any wet dough.
  2. Switch out nut butter for sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
  3. Feel free to press it all into bars instead of rolling balls.

Tools You'll Need

  • A food processor (optional but helpful).
  • Cookie scoop to make portioning easy (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Peanut allergy risk (if peanut butter is used).
  • Tree nuts (if almond butter or coconut is added).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 150
  • Total Fat: 8.8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
  • Protein: 6.6 g