Honey Cocoa Peanut Butter Energy Balls

You’ll be energized just thinking about eating honey cocoa peanut butter energy balls. Not only for the taste, but also for how easy they are to make. Plus, energy balls can stay tucked away in the freezer until you’re ready for them, which makes it an easy option for breakfast, after school snacks, or a late afternoon pick-me-up.

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Honey Cocoa Peanut Butter Energy Balls Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup cocoa almond spread (I use Trader Joe’s)
• 2/3 cup honey
• 2 cups quick oats or old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup wheat bran (I use Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1/3 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds/pepitas (plain or honey roasted)
• 1/4 cup mini Reese’s Pieces candies or mini M&M’s candies

Energy balls are one of the most versatile snacks. Like many of the recipes, these use peanut butter as a binder. But, it doesn’t always have to be peanut butter.

Other options include almond or cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, tahini, and dried dates, cherries, figs and apricots. The add-in ingredient options are endless, from coconut and crushed candy canes to raisins and sesame seeds.

Are Energy Balls Gluten-Free?

Using the right ingredients, you can create your own gluten-free energy balls recipe by using certified gluten-free products like honey and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats.

Step-by-Step Directions

One: Microwave the peanut butter and cocoa almond spread together for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.

Two: Warm the honey in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir it into the peanut butter mixture.

(You can skip the warming steps and just stir these three ingredients together, but I find it easier and smoother if they are slightly heated.)

Three: In a large bowl, stir the remaining ingredients together—oats, wheat bran, chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, and mini Reese’s or M&M’s candies.

Four: Stir the peanut butter mixture into the dry mixture and fully combine.

Five: Roll into balls. I use a cookie scoop to portion the dough so they are fairly consistent in size. Place in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to two weeks. Freeze up to six months.

Although you want to store these in the refrigerator, it’s OK for them to come to room temperature—like if you take a few to work or you pack one in your kid’s lunch bag. They just get soft and stickier.

Can I Freeze Energy Balls?

Yes! You can freeze energy balls for up to six months in an airtight container. To store them in plastic freezer bags, first place the energy balls (not touching each other) on a baking sheet and freeze for about two hours. Then place the frozen balls in freezer bags. This way, they don’t stick to each other in one frozen clump.

It’s fun to store the balls in tiny plastic zipper bags, maybe two to four in a bag, to grab for a snack for your day.

Watch Energy Balls and Make-in-Advance Breakfast On My KELOLAND Living Segment

Another Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipe

A far cry from a healthy breakfast snack, but if you like the combination, make my mom’s peanut butter and Corn Pops cereal clusters.

Substitution Ideas

Depending on your taste preferences and what’s available where you shop, you might want substitution ideas for these energy balls. In place of honey, use maple syrup. It isn’t essential to use cocoa almond spread, so skip it if you want.

For the chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds and candies, you could use any combination of chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds. A substitution for pumpkin seeds might be sunflower seeds, or chopped almonds, cashews, pecans or walnuts.

How do you make your energy balls?

Sweet wishes,