The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Energy Balls recipe is so easy to make and full of delicious ingredients. Our recipe includes 3 different flavor variations that you’ll love snacking on all of them.
Energy Balls cost about $16.81 to make. This recipe makes 55 servings, which is just 31¢ per serving.
Try our Grab and Go Yogurt Parfait Boxes, our Dry Roasted Chickpeas, and our Homemade Granola for easier on the go snacks.
Energy Balls
If your kids are anything like our kids, then they want something to eat ALL DAY LONG! We cannot afford our kids’ snacking habits! This is why we love making our own snacks instead of buying them like these easy no-bake Energy Balls.
They are simple to make, and our kids LOVE them. We like to make a batch and stick them in the freezer.
Our kids know they can grab one or two as a snack throughout the day. We feel good that we are not spending a lot of money on junk food snacks, and they feel good that they get to snack on something yummy.
We first make a base for the Energy Balls with feel-good ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry, including nut butter, honey, and oats. Then you add in your favorite mix-ins, rolls them into balls, and you have a quick snack ready to go.
Now, obviously, some of these Energy Balls will be healthier than others if you’re adding in chocolate chips or M&Ms, but our philosophy is all things in moderation! Grab the kids, because they LOVE making these!
We have found we eat these Energy Bites at many different times and for various reasons. If you have lots of afternoon driving to activities, these are a great snack to bring in the car.
Or if we’re working from home and need a mid-day pick me up, these are also a great option. Going on a road trip? These are a great snack for in the car.
You can even make these for a quick breakfast in the morning to help you get out the door quickly. See what we mean? Energy Balls really are the perfect breakfast on the go or snack for any occasion.
Can you eat raw oats in energy balls?
Yes, you can eat raw oats. When the uncooked oats are mixed with the other ingredients, they become softer but provide a chewier texture to the balls.
Are energy balls good for you?
These energy balls are full of healthy fats, fibers, and protein, making them a healthy breakfast or snack. If you add the chocolate chips or M&M’s, they are a little less healthy than without but still have nutritional value.
How to make Energy Balls recipe:
STEP ONE: First, make the energy balls base. Combine the oats, seeds, peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt in a bowl and mix until the oats are coated.
STEP TWO: Next, separate the base mixture evenly among 3 bowls. Then add in desired mix-ins to each bowl and stir.
STEP THREE: Place each bowl in the refrigerator to chill. Let it chill for at least 30 minutes.
STEP FOUR: Finally, remove the mixtures from the fridge and form them into balls using a cookie dough scoop.
Cook’s Tools:
- cookie dough scoop
- large mixing bowl
- medium bowls
- measuring cups
- mixing spoon
- measuring spoons
The Flavor and Recipe Variations
This recipe has a lot of flexibility for customization. Our favorite mix-ins included chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, pretzels, white chocolate chips, pistachios, and dried cranberries. You can definitely get creative and add other options as well.
We enjoy adding 3 Tablespoons of protein powder (any flavor) to add an extra protein source in the Energy Balls. We would love to hear your favorite add-in!
If you are short on time while making these, you can skip the step of rolling them into balls. Press the mixture into a baking sheet and cut them into bars.
How much will this Energy Balls recipe cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $16.81
PRICE PER SERVING: $0.31
- 3 cup gluten-free oats or old fashioned rolled oats – $1.32
- 1 ½ cup nut butter, almond, or cashew butter – $4.98
- 1 cup honey – $2.64
- ¾ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 3 Tablespoon chia seeds – $1.17
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – $0.64
- ½ cup mini M&Ms – $0.97
- 3 Tablespoon ground flax seeds or hemp seeds – $0.12
- ½ pretzels, crushed – $0.28
- ½ cup white chocolate chips – $0.75
- 3 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.51
- ½ cup pistachios, chopped – $2.98
- ½ cup dried cranberries – $0.44
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How long are they good for:
Serve and Store: Keep the balls in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Place the energy balls in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature for an hour before eating.
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
Ages 2-3: Let your child mix-in the add-ins for each bowl. They will love adding in the various ingredients, especially the chocolate chips or mini M&Ms.
Ages 4-5: Teach your child how to use a measuring cup and measuring spoon. Let them count out the base ingredients as they measure and pour them into the large mixing bowl.
Ages 6-8: This is a great recipe to let your child try on their own. With your help, they can easily make this recipe.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
More Healthy Recipes:
- 15-Minute Skillet Tilapia with Artichokes and Tomatoes
- Dry Roasted Chickpeas
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Easy Oven Baked Salmon
- Mexican Fruit Salad
- Grab and Go Yogurt Parfait Boxes
- Greek Mason Jar Salads
- Healthy Waldorf Salad
- Zucchini Taco Boats
- Homemade Granola
- How to Make a Green Smoothie
- Instant Pot Healthy Beans
- Italian Zucchini Boats
- Mango Banana Smoothie
- Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Watermelon Smoothie Recipe
Energy Balls
Equipment
- cookie dough scoop
- large mixing bowl
- medium bowls
- measuring cups
- mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
ENERGY BALLS BASE:
- 3 cup gluten-free oats or old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup nut butter almond or cashew
- 1 cup honey
- 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoon ground flax seeds or hemp seeds
- 3 Tablespoon chia seeds
MIX-INS:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup mini M&Ms
- ½ cup pretzels crushed
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup pistachios chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
MAKE ENERGY BALLS BASE:
- In a large bowl, add oats, seeds, nut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well combined, and the oats are coated.
ADD MIX-INS:
- Divide the base mixture evenly among 3 medium bowls.
- Stir in desired mix-ins into each of the 3 bowls.
- If the mixtures are too dry, add a little more honey or nut butter.
CHILL:
- Place each bowl into the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.
FORM BALLS:
- Remove the mixtures from the refrigerator and form them into balls using a cookie dough scoop.
STORE:
- Store the balls in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Snack on them as desired.
Heather says
these look so yum! I definitely want to try these – little bites of goodness and energy?
Jess Jankowski says
Heather these are little bites of goodness and energy!!
whitney says
My children literally do eat ALL day long. I am always in desperate need of nutritious snacks so thank you for sharing!
Jess Jankowski says
Ours too! These are the perfect solution!
Beth says
My husband and daughter are going to love this recipe! So excited to make these! Looks so delicious and tasty!
Jess Jankowski says
Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.
Megan says
Make sure you use a pre-cooked oat like rolled oats so that all the bad stuff is killed! I loved these and so did my whole family!
Jess Jankowski says
Great tip Megan!
Devy says
These energy balls sounds yummy. I love M&Ms so I must try this recipe. I just have to make sure I order the ingredients in my next shopping delivery. Thanks.
Jess Jankowski says
Definitely get the ingredients to make them, you won’t regret it!
Jenn says
These are so tasty! I love all the mix-ins suggestions. I’ve made them twice already and next time I’m going to try them with dried cranberries. Yum!
Beth says
These are just perfect for a post work out snack and energy boost!
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
These must be the funnest looking energy balls I have ever seen! LOVE all the addins
Maria says
Such a great recipe! Seems very simple and fantastic for a quick snack/dessert option.
Toni says
My kids couldn’t stop eating these!! They loved helping me make it too!