No bake vegan peanut butter energy balls with oats, flax, and chocolate chips, ready in 10 minutes. ♡
These vegan peanut butter energy balls are the 10 minute no bake snack that has lived in my fridge every week since I started making them. Chewy oats, creamy peanut butter, ground flax, maple syrup, and vegan chocolate chips rolled into bite sized snacks. For more ideas, see our Vegan Creamy Cashew Pasta.
100% plant based and dairy free with 6g of plant protein per ball. No bake, no oven, one bowl. Let’s make it together.
Ingredients
Vegan Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, stirred well
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
How to Make Vegan Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- **Combine.** In a bowl, stir oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, flax, vanilla, and salt until fully combined.
- **Add chips.** Fold in vegan chocolate chips.
- **Chill.** If the mixture is sticky, chill 30 minutes to firm up.
- **Roll.** Scoop tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls with damp hands.
- **Set.** Place on a parchment lined tray. Chill 30 minutes to firm up fully.
- **Store.** Transfer to an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for 3 months.
Why This Recipe Works
Old fashioned rolled oats are essential for chewy, hold together energy balls. Instant oats turn to mush, steel cut stay too crunchy. Rolled oats provide the exact chewy texture that binds with peanut butter into a cookie dough like consistency.
Ground flaxseed is the secret binder that keeps these balls solid straight from the fridge. The flax absorbs moisture and firms up the mixture, which means you can skip eggs entirely and still end up with snack bites that hold together in a lunchbox.
Chilling for 30 minutes is what sets them. Warm from your hands, the balls are soft and sticky. After 30 minutes in the fridge, the fats and oats firm up into a satisfying chew that lasts. This chill step is why the plant based energy balls actually work as grab and go snacks. For more ideas, see our Vegan Buddha Bowl Tahini Dressing.
Tips
- Use natural peanut butter with a little oil on top. Stir well before measuring.
- Vegan swap: ground flax replaces egg and honey is swapped for maple syrup here.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Eat straight from the freezer for a firmer bite.
- Chill 30 minutes before rolling if the mixture is too sticky.
- Roll in coconut, chopped nuts, or cocoa for flavor variety.
Variations
- Swap peanut butter for almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter.
- Add chia seeds or hemp hearts for extra protein.
- Roll in shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts for a coating.
- Stir in dried cranberries, raisins, or goji berries.
- Add a scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder for a protein ball.
- Swap chocolate chips for cacao nibs for less sugar.
Looking for more vegan ideas? Try our Vegan Chickpea Curry or Vegan Banana Bread next.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using instant oats: Old fashioned rolled oats only. Instant oats turn mushy, steel cut stay crunchy.
- Too wet mixture: If the mixture is too sticky, add more oats. If too dry, add 1 tsp maple syrup.
- Rolling while warm: Chill the mixture 30 minutes before rolling if it is too sticky to handle.
- Not chilling before storing: Chill the balls 30 minutes after rolling. They firm up into the perfect chewy snack.
Vegan Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Ingredients
Method
- **Combine.** In a bowl, stir oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, flax, vanilla, and salt until fully combined.
- **Add chips.** Fold in vegan chocolate chips.
- **Chill.** If the mixture is sticky, chill 30 minutes to firm up.
- **Roll.** Scoop tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls with damp hands.
- **Set.** Place on a parchment lined tray. Chill 30 minutes to firm up fully.
- **Store.** Transfer to an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for 3 months.
Notes
Sources: USDA FoodData Central for nutrition data and Physicians Committee plant based nutrition reference.
