oats Archives • A Sweet Pea Chef

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls are an easy-to-make treat and the perfect mix between healthy and decadent. They’re made with dates as a sweetener, chia seeds and peanut butter for protein, and dark chocolate for healthy deliciousness. Need I say more? Okay, peeps. I have some very good news for you. This recipe is centered around two of my loves: chocolate and peanut butter. Sound familiar? Second, this recipe takes less than 10 minutes and only 6 ingredients. Yep: not even 10 minutes. If you've never made your own energy balls, energy bites, or protein bars before, I highly recommend you start with this recipe. This is a virtually fool-proof recipe that is so delicious and easy. Plus, again, less than 10 minutes. It's like redonk easy. While you can make an energy ball with all kinds of ingredients, I love starting mine with a base of dates. Dates are full of naturally occurring sugars which makes the recipe nice and sweet without having to add any added sweetener. Plus, dates are pretty sticky already which makes the whole ball hold together very well. Just make sure your dates are pitted BEFORE adding them to the food processor - processed date pits are the worst! Thought I was gonna say. "..the pits," right there, didn't ya? :) These no bake chocolate peanut butter energy balls are so darn amaze-balls (sorry, just had to on that one!), you're just not even gonna be able to believe it. Since these energy bites are no-bake, they're great right out of the food processor, but even better after placed in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. If you don't happen to have a food processor, you can always use a heavy duty blender like a Vitamix. And remember: less than 10 minutes. Go! INGREDIENTS FOR NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS Oats: Oats are filling, and that’s why these bites of energy are so absolutely satisfying Dates: Dates are a preferred sweetener over types of processed sugars Peanut Butter: Natural peanut butter is the best - try my healthy homemade peanut butter Chia Seeds: They are small but mighty, with protein, too Dark Chocolate: Read all about the Benefits of Chocolate in my post here (UNPUBLISHED) Cinnamon: This tasty spice is heart-healthy ARE DATES GOOD FOR YOU? Dates are really healthy, yes! That’s why I chose them as the base for this superfood snack. Dates have a bit of protein and a whole lotta fiber. They also contain potassium and magnesium. They've got iron, copper, manganese, and Vitamin B6. Other great things about dates: Fiber keeps your digestive system humming right along Dates are chock full of antioxidants like flavonoids This tasty fruit reduces inflammation (read more about other Top Anti-Inflammatory Foods) They are a great sub for bad-for-you overly processed sugar HOW TO MAKE NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS Are you ready to make your next favorite, gotta-have-it chocolate peanut butter energy ball? This is how simple it is! Add pitted dates to the food processor and process until they form a ball or are in small pieces Add all of the other ingredients: oats, yummy peanut butter, chia seeds, cinnamon, peanut butter, and delicious dark chocolate Check it often, being careful to not over-process Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls with your hand The recipe makes 12 to 15 balls Pop them in the freezer or fridge to set Savor the sweetness and enjoy HOW TO STORE NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS These irresistibly good chocolate peanut butter energy balls can be stored in an airtight container for about a week. I’ve never had to worry about storing them for long - they’re a family favorite, and we can go through them in a day or two! CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE ENERGY BALLS? I sometimes make a mega batch of these super healthy peanut butter energy balls and put them in the freezer. They are good for 2 months. I package chilled balls in portions of a dozen, keeping them in a reusable freezer bag. RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS FOR CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS The great thing about these treats (other than the scrumptious flavor) is that you can vary them to suit your tastes. Change things here and there for variety! Substitute dried apricots, figs, and raisins for the dates Dried cherries and cranberries can be added, too Substitute any nut butter for the peanut butter The oats can be swapped out for toasted unsweetened coconut flakes Chia seeds can be replaced by ground flax seeds Dark chocolate chunks can be subbed with semi-sweet, still keeping in the healthy range If gluten-intolerance is an issue, use gluten-free oats in place of regular oats MORE HEALTHY SNACK RECIPES Chocolate Peanut butter energy balls are great for school lunches, as a quick bite of energy after a workout, and just because! Since snacking between meals is best when it’s a good-for-you recipe, I’ve listed a few more of my fave go-to’s. Sweet Potato Soft Pretzel Bites Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Edible Cookie Dough Bites Dark Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites Dark Chocolate Covered Coconut Bites My Fave High Protein Snacks for Weight Loss Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls are an easy-to-make treat and the perfect mix between healthy and decadent. They’re made with dates as a sweetener, chia seeds and peanut butter for protein, and dark chocolate for healthy deliciousness. Need I say more? 1 cup dates (pitted)3 tbsp peanut butter1/4 cup dark chocolate1 tbsp chia seeds2/3 cup rolled oats1/4 tsp ground cinnamon Add the dates to the food processor or heavy-duty blender and process until they’re small pieces or they form a ball. Make sure they’re pitted before adding them to the food processor!Next, add in the old fashioned oats, dark chocolate morsels, chia seeds, peanut butter, and ground cinnamon and process until combined.Check the mixture - you want there to be consistently small pieces but not have it be overly processed.Carefully grab a small handful and roll into about 1-inch balls, using the warmth of your hands to mold them together.You should be able to make about 12-15 energy balls.No need to bake these - just pop them in fridge or freezer for about 15 minutes to set.These energy balls will keep fresh in an air-tight container for up to a week or you could freeze for longer. This post contains affiliate links for products I use frequently and highly recommend.