Peanut Butter Coconut Energy Balls

Jump to Recipe

I make a lot of snacks but these Peanut Butter Coconut Energy Balls are my all-time favorite. The taste and texture is spot on and I always have all of the ingredients on hand to whip up a batch for the week. It’s the perfect little bite-size snack. They’re also vegan and kid-approved!

peanut butter coconut energy balls on a plate

I’m obsessed!

Ok, ok. I know I have a few other delicious energy bite recipes already. And I do love and make all of them. But I seriously make a batch of these almost weekly (some variation of them at least) and I’ve made them for almost every person I know at some point. Since I always get asked for the recipe, I figured it would be easier to finally make it a formal post.

This recipe is inspired by the one and only Pinch of Yum. Her recipe is great, but I’ve modified it over the years to fit my preferences and the ingredients I always keep on hand. The most important thing I learned from the original is to use a food processor for the best, most cohesive energy bites.

The food processor also means you don’t have to stand over a bowl mixing forever. Total game-changer! Add it to the list of ways you can use this wonderful appliance.

Ingredients

Rolled oats
Toasted coconut flakes (or regular if you can’t find toasted, just make sure they are the unsweetened type)
Hemp hearts or ground flaxseed
Cacao nibs, which add crunch and a roasty cocoa flavor without the added sugar of chocolate chips
Kosher salt
Cinnamon
Peanut butter (the natural, drippy kind)
Pure maple syrup

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Coconut Energy Balls

Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until blended

Do you have a food processor yet? Because it really is one of my most used kitchen tools and something I would replace immediately if it broke or stopped working. I love how easily it simultaneously chops and mixes everything together, which saves you from the annoying step of having to mix this by hand (it is possible, but takes a lot longer).

Use a cookie scoop to portion into balls

I use a 1.5 tablespoon scoop and find it to be the perfect size. This is so much easier than trying to eyeball the portion size for each. Plus you won’t need to touch them with your hands while the mixture is still on the sticky side.

blended up ingredients in food processor

energy balls portioned out on to a plate

Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes

You can skip this part if you’re impatient or would rather not wait. I just find it way easier to roll the balls after they’ve firmed up a bit. If you move on to rolling right away, your hands might get a little bit messy (keep a wet washcloth nearby to moisten hands – this helps). I also use this time to put the ingredients away, clean the food processor and other dishes, etc.

Roll between your palms

Once the energy balls firm up a bit, they are way easier to roll and they won’t stick to your hands. Of course you can leave them more “rustic” looking too but rolling keeps them together and makes for easier storage.

Aren’t these just the cutest little bite-size snack? Not only do they taste delicious, they’re full of all sorts of nutritious ingredients that give you energy (hence the name). I love eating one on the way to workout, or first thing in the morning with my coffee before the rest of my house wakes up. My toddler also loves them and since everything is chopped nice and finely, they’re easy for him to eat too.

Perhaps the best thing about these energy balls is that you can get creative and swap ingredients as needed. They are very forgiving if you follow the general wet/dry ingredient ratio.

Ingredient Swaps

Try milled flax instead of hemp hearts for a more budget-friendly option. The inspiration recipes uses chia seeds, but they get stuck in my teeth and retainer so I stopped using those.
Add mini chocolate chips instead of the cacao nibs if you like a bit more sweetness. I love the crunch of the cacao and prefer to keep snacks lower in sugar when possible.
Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter in place of the peanut butter. I recently tried using one of my favorite specialty nut butters from GroundUp PDX (affiliate link – use ALMOND10 to save 10% on your first order!) and they were amazing.
Sub honey or agave nectar for the maple syrup if it’s all you have on hand. Really any liquid sweetener should be fine.

Energy Bite FAQs

What if I don’t have a food processor?

You can mix these by hand. It takes a little muscle but I’ve done it before and it does come together. Use quick oats (the smaller, chopped ones) if you can find them in place of regular rolled oats.

How do I store these?

Refrigerated, in an airtight container. They’ll last a week.

Can I freeze them?

Absolutely! This is an especially great idea for new moms. Put them in a gallon-size zip top bag and push as much air out as possible before sealing. You can either move them to the refrigerator once you’re ready to start eating, or pull out one at a time. Just let it come closer to room temperature before biting into it, so you don’t break a tooth.

More healthy vegan snacks: