Some days, I crave a snack that feels like a treat but keeps me going. Enter these monster cookie energy balls!
They’re packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and flaxseed, while mini M&Ms and chocolate chips add a playful touch of sweetness.
Make a batch on Sunday, and you’ll have delicious, portable snacks ready for the entire week.
They’re kid-friendly and satisfy those cookie cravings without the sugar crash.
Why You’ll Love These Monster Cookie Energy Balls
Irresistible Taste: The combination of creamy peanut butter, honey, chocolate, and raisins creates a delightful balance of sweetness and texture in every bite.
No-Bake: Skip turning on the oven and whip these up in minutes with just a mixing bowl and your hands.
Family-Friendly: These colorful energy balls are a hit with everyone thanks to the playful mini M&Ms and familiar peanut butter-chocolate combination.
Customizable Creativity: This recipe is highly adaptable. Swap out ingredients like raisins or M&M’s for your favorite mix-ins to create a personalized treat every time.
Ingredients
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Whole grain oats provide a chewy texture and hearty base for the energy balls.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: It acts as a natural binder while adding protein and healthy fats, creating a smooth, rich consistency.
- Honey: It helps hold the ingredients together while providing subtle floral notes.
- Mini M&M’s: Tiny candy-coated chocolate pieces add bursts of color and crunchy texture.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Small morsels of chocolate are distributed evenly throughout the mixture, providing rich flavor in every bite.
- Raisins: They bring natural sweetness and a chewy texture to balance the crunchier elements.
- Ground Flaxseed: Finely milled flaxseeds provide omega-3 fatty acids.
- Vanilla Extract: It enhances the sweetness and adds depth to all other ingredients.
- Salt: It balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors in the recipe.
How to Make Monster Cookie Energy Balls
These energy balls couldn’t possibly be easier!
1. Combine. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well until thoroughly combined.
2. Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to make the mixture easier to roll.
3. Form the balls. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and roll it into 1-inch balls using your hands. If it’s too sticky, wet your hands slightly with water to prevent sticking.
4. Chill again to set. Place the energy balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow them to firm up.
Tips for the Best Monster Cookie Energy Balls
These simple tips will make your balls come out perfect.
- Mix ’em up thoroughly. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed to achieve consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
- Choose your consistency. If the mixture is too dry, add more peanut butter or honey, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too wet, mix in additional oats.
- Make life easier. Use parchment paper on your baking sheet to avoid sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Make them allergy-friendly. Substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter to make it allergy-friendly.
- Pack in some protein. Incorporate a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder for an extra nutritional boost, adjusting peanut butter or honey as needed for binding.
How to Store
Keep your energy balls fresh with these easy steps.
To Store: Place the energy balls in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
To Freeze: Place the energy balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months.