Vegan Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 1 review

Sink your teeth into these vegan chocolate chip energy balls, and you'll discover a delectable sphere of irresistible sweetness. These no-bake treats are brimming with plant-based goodness and boast a flavor reminiscent of cookie dough. They are great for indulging those sweet cravings.

There is a vast sea of recipes for energy bites on the internet, but you've just stumbled upon my go-to favorite. It's delightfully simple, easy, quick, sweet, and the best part? I always have these seven ingredients tucked away in my cupboard.

I've been making different variations of these delightful treats for my kids long before recipes were just a click away, but I can't recall where I first stumbled upon the original idea. I've delved into my grandma's old recipe book, and I've even consulted crystal balls for answers. But the origin remains a tantalizing mystery.

To be honest, you really don't need a "recipe" or to sift through countless recipes online because most of them contain the same ingredients. These are so super easy and quick to make that even my college kids make them while away at school.

All you need is a base of oats or nuts, a sweetener for binding like dates or maple syrup, a nut butter or seed butter for creaminess and binding too, a dash of flavor with vanilla or cocoa powder, and a mix of add-ins like dried fruits, chocolate chips, or nuts for texture and taste.

The mixture should be slightly tacky to the touch so that when you roll them, they stick together. Place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes, and you have a delicious homemade energy ball you can snack on anytime.

With this versatile blueprint, you can customize your energy bites to your heart's content, creating endless variations to suit your preferences. I've listed some variations and add-ins in the post below. No more hunting for the perfect recipe or buying expensive store-bought versions – you become the master of your energy ball creations with this one post.

If you want my go-to energy balls, see the recipe card below.

For more sweet treats, try Vegan Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies and Gilmore Girls Vegan Coffee Cake Cookies.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Top Tips
Variations
FAQs
Recipe
Craving more nuts & twigs?
Reviews

Ingredients

Here is what you'll need to make this easy recipe, along with some notes. For quantities, see the recipe card.

rolled oats
peanut butter - almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter are also great choices
maple syrup - substitute with agave nectar or date syrup
ground flaxseed
vegan chocolate chips
vanilla extract
shredded coconut, optional
pinch of salt

Instructions

Take a look at what you'll be doing in the pictures below. For full instructions, see the recipe card.

ingredients for vegan chocolate chip energy balls in a bowl

Combine the ingredients. You can incorporate the coconut shreds, too, but I use them to coat the balls. It helps reduce stickiness while adding texture to the outside of the balls.

mixing ingredients for vegan chocolate chip energy balls in a bowl

Mix everything until well combined. It should be a moist mixture, tacky to the touch. Place the mixture in the freezer for 15-30 minutes to make it easier to work with.

dipping vegan chocolate chip energy balls in a coconut shreds

Make small balls by rolling a piece of the mixture between the palms of your hand and then dip them in coconut shreds.

vegan chocolate chip energy balls with coconut shreds

Place the balls on a baking sheet or plate with some room. Place them in the freezer for 30 minutes or longer to firm up. Then, they are ready to enjoy or store in an air-tight container in the freezer for the closest flavor to cookie dough.

Top Tips

Consistency is Key: Achieving the right consistency is important. You want the mixture to be sticky enough to hold together but not overly wet. Adjust the wet and dry ingredients as needed.
Chill Before Rolling: Freeze the mixture for 15-20 minutes before rolling into balls. This makes it easier to handle and shape.
Proper Storage: Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. I eat them straight out of the freezer. They are firmer and get a nice cookie dough consistency that my whole family loves.
Portion Control: Use a measuring spoon or scale to ensure consistent sizing for each energy ball. This makes them easier to serve and keeps portion sizes consistent.
Flatten and Shape: Instead of rolling, you can also flatten the mixture into a small rectangle and then cut it into bite-sized squares or bars. This can be less sticky and provide a different presentation.

vegan chocolate chip energy balls on a baking tray

Variations

Energy balls are super customizable. As I mentioned before, there are a million different recipes you can search for. But here are some variations and add-ins you can incorporate to create your favorite version right from this post:

Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the mixture, or coat the outside with cocoa powder for an intense chocolate taste.
Use chopped dates or date syrup instead of maple syrup or agave.
For variation, use rum or almond extract instead of vanilla.
Add a tablespoon of matcha powder.
Incorporate a couple of tablespoons of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped pecans for fall flavors.
Add about a tablespoon of lemon zest.
Use a few tablespoons of nuts like chopped cashews, walnuts, or pistachios.
Add a tablespoon of espresso powder.
Add ginger, cinnamon, and molasses (instead of maple syrup) to the mixture for a gingerbread cookie flavor.
Use a variety of dried mixed fruit or dried apples.
Substitute the flaxseed for chia or hemp seeds.
Add sunflower, sesame, or pumpkin seeds.

FAQs

Are these energy balls healthy?

I would suggest enjoying it in moderation. While energy balls are a nutritious snack, they can be calorie-dense due to the nuts and sweeteners. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Are these vegan chocolate chip energy balls gluten-free?

This recipe is gluten-free, so buy certified gluten-free oats.

How do I store vegan chocolate chip energy balls?

Store these energy balls in an airtight container in the freezer. They can typically last up to two weeks when refrigerated and 2-3 months when you freeze them.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

I have not tried the recipe with quick oats, but that should work fine. Quick oats are essentially rolled oats that have been cut into smaller pieces and partially cooked during processing, so they have a finer texture and cook more quickly. This will probably result in a smoother texture. Just keep in mind that the texture and binding will be slightly different compared to using rolled oats.

Do these travel well?

Energy bites travel well, but I suggest putting them in a container instead of a plastic bag where they can potentially be squished. They make for a convenient and portable snack option for both adults and kids, whether you're on the go or just need a quick "keep-hunger-at-bay" snack.

What did you think?

Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate this recipe to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any twists you added? I want to know if my directions were any good or if you plan to make it. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

Recipe

Vegan Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Bite into a delectable sphere of goodness that's irresistibly sweet and a no-bake treat packed with plant-based nourishment. Vegan chocolate chip energy balls are not just snacks - they're perfect for fueling your day but, most importantly, satisfying your sweet cravings with a flavor and consistency reminiscent of cookie dough.

Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 balls 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 cup rolled oats
½ peanut butter (or any nut butter)
⅓ cup maple syrup (substitute with agave)
¼ cup ground flaxseed
¼ vegan chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
½ cup shredded coconut, optional

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Instructions

Combine the rolled oats, almond butter, maple syrup (or agave), ground flaxseed, vegan chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.
Blend the mixture until it comes together into a sticky dough-like consistency. It should be tacky to the touch.
Place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle and roll the balls.
Using your hands, roll small portions of the mixture into bite-sized balls. You can adjust the size based on your preference.
Roll the balls in the coconut shred if using.
Place the energy balls on a parchment paper-lined tray or plate.
Refrigerate or freeze the energy balls for at least 30 minutes to firm them up.
After chilling, they are ready to enjoy.

Notes

The shredded coconut is optional. You can also consider incorporating it into the mixture instead of coating the outside of the energy ball.

For faster coating of the energy balls, place the shreds and rolled balls together in a container and shake them around gently until the balls are well coated. Work in batches for best results.

Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. I eat them straight out of the freezer. They are firmer and get a nice cookie dough consistency that my whole family loves.

Instead of rolling, you can flatten the mixture into a small rectangle and cut it into bite-sized squares or bars. This can be less sticky and provide a different presentation.

Nutritional information is only an estimate.