September 14, 2016

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

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Perfectly chewy, these easy chocolate peanut butter energy bites are perfect for snacking! And you’d never know they’re packed with wholesome ingredients as they taste like a peanut butter cup. Dairy free and gluten free.

A white tray filled with Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls.

Welcome to my obsession with all things peanut butter + chocolate + honey, take two.

In case you are just joining us, let’s review for a sec. A few months ago, I shared these peanut butter pretzel honey balls. Which are highly addictive and I still love to pieces.

However, I consider those little guys more on the dessert end of the spectrum (rather than the snack side) and I wanted to make something that was more purely snack (with that same ever favorite combo of mine).

Which brings us to today’s recipe. Helloooooo chocolate peanut butter energy bites!

They are packed with all sorts of healthy goodness – like oats, flaxseed, hemp seeds, sesame seeds. And yet still pretty much taste like a peanut butter cup. From some cocoa powder, peanut butter and vanilla.

And let me tell you, they are just so darn pop-able.

I’ve been making a batch every week lately and have been known to grab one from the fridge for just about any reason I can think of. 

Oh, and did I mention that they are super simple to make? These little bites win on all fronts.

Overhead view of a white tray filled with Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites.

Tips & Tricks For These Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls

  1. You can definitely go for natural peanut butter here (I do!), but just make sure that you stir it together really really well before using in the recipe.
  2. You can use any kind of unsweetened cocoa powder you’d like – regular or dutch process. I personally love the darker cocoa, but either works.
  3. When you mix the wet ingredients into the dry, it will take a little arm power. The mixture is definitely thick. Be sure to stir until well combined and the wet ingredients absorb the dry ones.
  4. If the “dough” is really sticking to your hands when rolling into balls, give them a quick rinse under cold water (it won’t stick as much when your hands are clean and cold).
  5. Not feeling the peanut butter (or are allergic)? You could definitely use a different kind of nut butter – I think almond butter in particular would be fantastic.

An aqua bowl filled with Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls with some scattered on the side.

Additional Snack Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

Chewy & simple chocolate peanut butter energy bites! Packed with wholesome ingredients and taste like a peanut butter cup! Perfect for snacking!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Yield: about 22 bites
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Perfectly chewy, these easy chocolate peanut butter energy bites are perfect for snacking! And you’d never know they’re packed with wholesome ingredients as they taste like a peanut butter cup. Dairy free and gluten free.

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ¼ cup ground flaxseed
  • ¼ cup shelled hemp seeds
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ to ⅓ cup ground walnuts, for rolling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add the oats to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped (but not so far that it turns into a flour-like consistency). Add to a large bowl.
  2. To the bowl, add in the flaxseed, hemp seeds, sesame seeds and cocoa powder. Mix to combine.
  3. Add in the peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract. Mix again until well combined (it will be quite thick!).
  4. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and let chill for about 30 minutes.
  5. Form the chilled mixture into balls about 1-inch in size. Add the ground walnuts to a shallow dish or bowl, then roll the balls in the walnuts, pressing lightly to coat.
  6. Store the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Be sure to store these in the fridge. They get too soft if you keep them at room temp (and personally I think taste better cold anyway since they get awesomely chewy once chilled!).

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 22 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 88Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 3g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

© Ashley / Cook Nourish Bliss
Cuisine: American / Category: Snacks
Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Recipes (ALL), Snacks, Soy Free, Vegetarian
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