Easy Monster Cookie Oatmeal Power Balls

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These No Bake Monster Cookie Oatmeal Energy Balls will feel like a special treat, but are actually a healthy after school snack!

Our energy balls have all sorts of good stuff in them. The peanut butter not only is delicious but it is packed with protein and helps to keep those afternoon hunger pains away.

Oatmeal Energy Balls

My kids come home from school starving and these No Bake Monster Cookie Energy Balls are just what they need to help curb their hunger until dinner.

Oatmeal Energy Balls are perfect when it is too late for a big snack because dinner is right around the corner. The M&M’s add just enough chocolate and color to make them fun and they will think they are getting a special treat!

Looking for something similar? Check out my Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars here – they are great if you want to leave out the M&M’s. One of my kids other favorite after school treats is our Chocolate Chip Banana Bread! This is always a hit and a good way to use up ripe bananas! 

Easy No-Bake Monster Energy Balls

They are almost like having a cookie, but the oatmeal and peanut butter offer some healthy options and will help keep those hungry bellies full. It drives me crazy when my kids come home and raid the pantry. They are grabbing one thing after another. Then, when it is time for dinner, no one is hungry.

What’s even better about these Monster Cookie Oatmeal Energy Bites is that they are NO BAKE and they are super easy to make! Mixing them together takes virtually minutes and then you just need to wait for them to harden in the refrigerator, which takes about an hour.

Love the idea of these balls, but looking for something chocolate free? Take a look at the Protein Balls, from my friend over at Texan Erin.

Ingredients for Monster Cookie Oatmeal Energy Bites

• Quick Oats
• Peanut Butter
• Honey
• Mini M&M’s

Side note – a useful kitchen tool that I love is my silicone baking mat! Place the balls on a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat to keep the balls from sticking when refrigerating them.

How to Make Oatmeal Energy Balls (No-Bake; 3 Easy Steps)

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well.
2. Roll into balls and set on a baking sheet
3. Refrigerate for about an hour.

Tips for Monster Cookie Peanut Butter Balls with M&Ms

• If the dough is super sticky, place the mixed dough into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before rolling them into balls. They will go together much easier and not be as sticky on the hands!
• You can use a cookie scoop if you want uniform sizes, I made mine about the size of a golf ball.

Add Ins for Oatmeal Power Balls

The best thing about these Oatmeal Energy Balls is that there really are no rules! You can pretty much add in anything to make them exactly what you like! Try adding some “superfoods” to make them even more nutritious, like flaxseeds or chia seeds. Or instead of M&M’s, try some chocolate or cinnamon chips!

Oatmeal Energy Balls for Kids (Four Ways)

Check out our how to make energy balls video below and you will see how we take the same base recipe, but make them four different ways!

Want to cut down on the sugar or just looking for a variation? Try one of our other mix-in ideas. We love, coconut, dried cranberries or almonds. Just substitute these instead of the M&M’s!

You can even divide the recipe in quarters and make all four varieties at once!

Can you make Oatmeal Energy Balls peanut free?

If your school is peanut free or you have a peanut allergy, try substituting the peanut butter for sun butter, pecan butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.

It will change the consistency and taste a bit, but try testing it out until you find one you like.

How long do Oatmeal Energy Bites last in the fridge?

If you place your energy bites in a container in the fridge, you can keep them for about a week. If you freeze them, you can keep them for up to three months!

How do you freeze no bake Monster Energy Balls?

Once you roll the balls, place them on a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer for about 1-2 hours. After they are frozen, place them in either an airtight container or a zip lock bag and keep them in the freezer until you are ready to eat them.

Personally, I love to keep them in the freezer (they are cold and take longer to eat). Tip: keep them in the freezer and then pop them in your kids lunches – they will be perfect come lunchtime!

If your school isn’t peanut free, these are also great to pack in a lunch or as an after-school snack.

Can you eat raw oats in energy balls?

Yes, you can eat raw oats in energy balls especially when combined with other ingredients.

How healthy are energy balls?

Energy balls are a combination of protein, good carbs, healthy fats, and high in fiber – but like everything, they should be eaten in moderation. They are still high in calories, so it is best to enjoy them in smaller quantities.

Why are they called energy balls?

The ingredients in energy balls will give you a nice boost of energy (hence the name). They make the perfect pick-me-up afternoon snack or grab-n-go breakfast.

What do energy balls taste like?

Depending on the ingredients they have a sweet taste and a dense texture.

Can Monster Cookie Oatmeal Energy Balls be made nut-free? 

You can substitute with a nut-free peanut butter, like sunflower butter or any seed or nut butter will work.

Other Easy No-Bake Desserts

• Chocolate Lasagna
• No Bake Eclair Cake
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• Edible Cookie Dough
• Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza
• Peanut Butter Truffles
• Energy Bites
• Frozen Yogurt Bark With Berries
• Sour Patch Grapes

Originally Published August 15, 2017

 

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