HEALTHY NO BAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP ENERGY BALLS
Healthy and delicious, these raw no bake energy balls with almonds, oats, nut butter, dates, vanilla and chocolate chips will be your new favorite guilt-free vegan snack or dessert!
Almonds, vanilla and chocolate together, need I say any more – these are my all time favorite go-to energy balls recipe!
Almost like eating cookie dough, these vegan energy balls are an easy treat anytime of day and are meant to be enjoyed freely!
Almonds are the most alkalizing nut, and the more you can eat alkaline foods the better off you’ll be. An alkaline (vs. acidic) system will help keep your bodily system functioning at its peak!
Almonds are also balancing, very nourishing, and contain high levels of potassium and vitamin E. In fact, just nine almonds contain all the vitamin E you need for the day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
In the recipe, a wholesome mix of almonds, oats, almond or peanut butter, and dates are processed into a thick dough that’s mixed with chocolate chips and rolled into energy balls for a nourishing, delicious snack.
Here is everything you will need, plus ingredient substitution ideas:
- raw almonds – raw almonds are pretty easy to find, especially in the bulk section of your local grocery store
- oats – use old fashioned or quick oats
- nut butter – almond, peanut butter, sun butter, cashew butter or your favorite
- medjool dates – fresh is best
- vanilla
- chocolate chips – can also use cacao or carob nibs (I used Enjoy Life Mini Chips (affiliate link))
- optional add-ins – add another layer of flavor with shredded coconut or cinnamon
How To Make No Bake Energy Balls
(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)
- Start by processing the almonds and oats, by pulsing them into a rough flour. It doesn’t have to be perfect and can be even chunkier than shown above.
- Next, add the dates, vanilla, nut butter, and 2 tablespoons of water, and process until combined, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Again, it doesn’t have to be perfect and can be even chunkier than shown here.
- Transfer the thick dough to a small bowl, add the chocolate chips and give a good mix.
- Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 20 – 30 minutes. This will help stiffen the dough, making it easier to roll.
- Lastly, roll the dough into 1 inch balls. You can even flatten them into a cookie shape if you like!
Top Tips
- Make them chunky style. Feel free to skip the first step and process everything at once until combined. That is the way I originally wrote this recipe, but changed it up here and both ways are great.
- Adjust the base. This recipe is pretty foolproof, so feel free to change things up a little using slightly less almonds while adding more oats to offset.
- Keep your hands clean. If the dough starts to stick to the palm of your hands when rolling, wash them in between every few balls for ease. Chilling the dough helps, but if you roll the balls before chilling you will most likely get sticky palms.
- Keep them uniform. Make the mounds uniform in size by using a scooper like this 1 tablespoon measuring spoon (affiliate link), it’s super helpful and makes things easier!
- Date substitute. If you rather not use dates or don’t have them on hand, you can sub with pure maple syrup using 1/4 cup pure maple syrup.
How To Store
- Refrigerator: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: For longer storage, energy balls will keep in the freezer for up to 2 – 3 months. To freeze, place the balls on a baking sheet or plate, about 1 inch apart, place in the freezer for a few hours (this will help them not stick together). Once frozen you can store them in freezer safe ziplock bags or containers. Let thaw in the refrigerator a few hours before snacking.
More No-Bake Recipes
- Hemp Heart Energy Bites
- Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal Energy Bites
- No Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cookie Balls
- Raw Ginger Snaps
- Coconut Lemon Bombs (Energy Bites)
- Raw Coconut Brownie Bites
- Raw Pecan Pie Energy Balls
- Cinnamon Cranberry Truffles
If you try this energy balls recipe or have a question, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
PrintHEALTHY NO BAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP ENERGY BALLS
Healthy and delicious, these vegan no-bake Energy Balls with chocolate chips, almonds, oats and dates are a quick and easy treat anytime of day. It’s like eating cookie dough and meant to be enjoyed freely!
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 - 18 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: food processor
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (use quick oats if needed)
- 1/4 cup almond or peanut butter (sun butter is ok too)
- 7 – 8 medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons water, + plus more as needed
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup dark mini or regular chocolate chips, cacao or carob nibs, or raw chocolate
Optional add ins:
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon or so of cinnamon
Instructions
Make flour: Start by processing the almonds and oats, by pulsing them into a rough flour. It doesn’t have to be perfect and can be even chunkier than shown above.
Add remaining ingredients: Add the remaining ingredients, except for chocolate chips. Blend, scraping down the sides as needed, until combined. (I like to leave mine a little on the chunky side). Add 1 or 2 tablespoons more water as needed.
Add chocolate chips: Remove mixture and place in a medium size bowl, mix in the chocolate chips.
Chill: Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, it will help the mixture stiffen a bit making it easier to handle.
Roll: Scoop dough and roll into 1 inch balls or flatten like a cookie. If forming them into balls you may like to roll them in cacao powder, cinnamon or shredded coconut. I’ve done all three and all were great!
Makes approx. 16 – 18 energy bites
Store: Keep in the refrigerator and enjoy within 1 – 2 weeks. They also freeze well.
Notes
Adjust the base. This recipe is pretty foolproof, so feel free to change things up a little by using slightly less almonds while adding more oats to offset.
Date substitute. If you rather not use dates or don’t have them on hand, you can sub with pure maple syrup using 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, starting with the smaller amount.
Keep your hands clean. When rolling, if the dough starts to stick to the palm of your hands, wash them in between every few balls for ease. Chilling the dough helps, but if you roll the balls before chilling you most likely get sticky palms.
Keep them uniform. Make the mounds uniform in size by using a scooper like this 1 tablespoon measuring spoon (affiliate link), it’s super helpful and makes things easier!
Make them chunky style. Feel free to skip the first step and process everything at once until combined. That is the way I originally wrote this recipe, but changed it up here and both ways are great.
Updated: Healthy No Bake Energy Balls was originally published in August 2012. It has been updated with new photos and helpful tips in April 2020.
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I make an energy ball which I call gooey balls. I use a number of different nut almond, walnut, pecan and macadamias all chopped up, Peanut butter and almond butter, about half and half, some honey to taste, all mixed together , Refrigerate 20-30 min, rolled into balls then roller in toasted seasame seeds. Store in the frig up to 1 week can freeze too. Everyone raves about them. I never use measured amounts, use your imagination, go for it. You can add cinnamin, or whatever else you may think that would be tasty. So Good.
what kind of oats? steel cut or rolled?
I've only used rolled oats in this recipe.
I made these today, and they taste SO good. Holy cow. I made the raw chocolate to go in it. I just froze a block of it and then made chocolate shavings/chips and then added those to the dough(because I'm too lazy to actually make chocolate chips). I think I may have added just a bit too much water though, because even after letting the dough sit in the fridge for over an hour, it was still quite wet and sticky. Didn't hurt the taste one bit though! I just started eating it out of the bowl with a spoon…it's that good. I used a big Tahitian vanilla bean that I bought from Beanilla.com, and it was fantastic. I will definitely make these again and again. I think I'm addicted. Awesome recipe. Thanks!
This is for sure a good addicting recipe! Perfect all day, any day. After a few tries at this you will have the moisture content down just right as it can vary every time depending on how moist your dates are. So glad you enjoyed it. Cheers to good addictions! :)
I didn't put the chocolate chips in but these are by far my favourite of these balls! YUM!
This recipe sounds fantastic! It would serve as a great snack in between meals or even a healthy dessert after dinner. I can't wait to make them!
I love the look of this recipe! I have some vanilla beans that need using too, and was wondering what to do with them :) Thank you!
Perfect Andrea! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. :)