Oatmeal Energy Balls are a simple seven-ingredient treat filled with oats, coconut, and chocolate chunks, giving you all the flavors of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie!
author’s note
Like An Oatmeal Cookie, But Snackable!
My family devours chewy granola bars, energy bites, and anything granola-like. While there are a few energy ball recipes on this site, this one is totally unique. It’s designed to be super easy to make and packed with flavor.
Since Coconut Oatmeal Cookies are my favorite, I thought, why not channel those flavors in a healthier way?
Enter: Oatmeal Energy Balls with coconut and lots of chocolate. They may not be warm cookies loaded with dark brown sugar, but wow—they’re delicious!
Ingredients In Oatmeal Energy Ball
| Ingredient | Swap or Tips |
|---|---|
| Oats | Old-fashioned oats work best for texture; quick oats work in a pinch |
| Coconut | Use sweetened for a treat or unsweetened to keep it less sweet |
| Peanut butter | I use Skippy creamy peanut butter. It has salt, a touch of sweetness, and a rich toasted peanut flavor. |
| Honey | Helps bind everything; maple syrup can work but is softer |
| Chocolate chips | Use dark, milk, or mini chips depending on preference |
Variations
Feel free to get creative! Try adding flaxseed, chia seeds, protein powder, or hemp hearts. You can swap some oats for these dry ingredients if you like.
chelsea’s recipe tip
Oatmeal Energy Ball Tips
- Give the oats time to soak up the liquid. At first, the mixture may seem too wet, but it firms up as the oats soak in.
- Since ingredients can be different (especially peanut butter), you might need to adjust the mixture. If it’s too wet, add more oats, if it’s too dry, add more pb.
- Toasting the coconut isn’t required, but if you want to get fancy (or have some leftover from making amazing coconut cream pie), toss it in!
Tools
These Oatmeal Energy Balls are really easy to make with the right tools:
- Large food processor: I use a 12-cup one to chop the ingredients in seconds!
- Cookie scoop: A good scoop helps you place the dough on a plate without rolling. A 1-tbsp measuring spoon works too!
Storage
Enjoy a few Oatmeal Energy Balls right after making them. Place the rest in the fridge for the week or freeze any leftovers.
To freeze: Place energy balls on a lined plate or tray in the freezer. Once set (1-2 hours), move them to an airtight bag or container. They’ll last up to 6 months.
More Snack Recipes:
Oatmeal Energy Balls
Equipment
- Large food processor 12-cup
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter I love Skippy in these!
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt see note 1
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips see note 2
Instructions
- Add oats and coconut to a large (12-cup) food processor fitted with the blade. Pulse for 30 seconds to a minute or until fairly ground up.
- Add peanut butter, honey, vanilla, salt, and chocolate chips. Pulse mixture again until ingredients are finely chopped and well incorporated. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a touch more peanut butter and/or honey. If it is too wet, add a bit more oats and re-pulse.
- Use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon or cookie scoop to portion out the balls, then tightly roll into balls. Once rolled, place in the fridge to firm up and transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 1–2 weeks or freeze (see below).
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
