Crispy energy balls are a kid pleasing snack that is low in sugar and calories but high in iron, fiber, and protein. Try making some for your family today!
Ah, summer… when I think about summer vacation I dream about relaxing carefree days without a schedule and lots of sleeping in.
And then reality sets in. Our summers are full of 8 a.m. swim team practice, camps, and evening barbecues. I love the activity, but hate getting my little people up and at ‘em in time for practice.
Lately we have been sleeping in until the last possible second, tossing on our suits, and heading out the door without a moment to spare.
Fast & Healthy Breakfast Option
Breakfast is the one flaw in this near perfect plan. I usually sip coffee during practice and the kids have been resorting to baggies of dry cereal, a piece of toast, or a cold pancake while we drive.
We needed a quick and healthy breakfast option.
I was going to whip up a batch of No Sugar, No Flour, No Oil Healthy Oatmeal Muffins but didn’t want to heat up the house. Instead I tried making a batch of Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Bites from Pinch of Yum and man, they were delicious! The kids gobbled them up and came looking for more.
Superfood Snacks
My version of Energy Balls has a bit of chocolate and a little crunch. They closely resemble store-bought peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars with a few major differences:
- No Refined Sugar
- Whole Grains
- 6% of Iron (daily value)
- 8% of Fiber (daily value)
- 6% Protein (daily value)
- Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids
- Super Foods (Chia, Flax Seed, Coconut Oil)
These tasty little snacks are full of real food ingredients including whole oats, flax-seed, coconut, and chia seeds. They get their marvelous crunch from crispy rice cereal and are naturally gluten-free.
Kid Friendly Recipe
I love cooking with my kids. It helps them develop their housekeeping skills and makes them more interested in the results. Yep, it's true, kids are more willing to try new foods when they help prepare them.
This recipe is an easy introduction to cooking: stir, shape, and gobble up the delicious results.
- 1½ cups whole rolled oats (chopped lightly in food processor)
- 1½ cups crispy rice cereal
- ½ cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup flax seed (ground)
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup virgin coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- Stir together peanut butter, coconut oil and honey in a small mixing bowl until smooth
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour peanut butter mixture over dry ingredients and mix until evenly combined.
Chill mixture for 20 -40 minutes. Press 2 tablespoons of mixture together into small balls and store in a covered glass container. (Do not roll, the balls will crumble.)
Tip: You can also press the mix into a greased 9" X 13" pan, chill, and cut into 4 rows of 8 squares.
- Chill energy balls for 30 minutes then enjoy.
- Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Serving Size - 1 Energy Ball
Nutrition information is for the recipe using unsweetend coconut and natural peanut butter.
Try Something New
I hope you try this healthy, kid friendly snack. It comes in a cute, crispy package that is appealing to kids (and adults). You'll notice them disappearing from your fridge quickly!
Luckily, you can send the kids to make more!
Strawberry Crispy Energy Balls
You'll love the strawberry version of this recipe too!
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Alex says
These were amazing! Though I have to admit, a few of them didn’t make it into ball form. We tried them straight from the bowl. Yum!
Bren says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Alex! We love them too.
Connie says
I made these they sucked. Through whole 2 batches away
Bren says
So sorry to hear you didn’t like the recipe. We make these energy balls for snacks frequently and love the sweet peanut butter flavor. If your batch of energy balls did not taste right you might want to check your flaxseed, flax is very temperamental and can go rancid if not kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
CJ Truesdale says
I’ve had these energy balls and can understand why someone might not like them, they are unusual, they aren’t sweet. Most of us are used to sweetened snacks. I liked them, but I like unusual flavors and ingredients and love the fact that are really healthy.
Bren says
Thanks CJ!
Virginia says
Looks great! What type of “crispy rice cereal” do you use? Thanks!
Bren says
Thanks Virginia! I use Rice Krispies or a generic version.
Chelsey says
Is the coconut oil in liquid or solid form? Thats what always gets me when I do recipes that use coconut oil.
Bren says
My recipes use virgin coconut oil, it is minimally processed and solid at room temperature. Liquid coconut oil (also called fractionated coconut oil) is sometimes used in skin care recipes, but I do not see it used in cooking very often. Please note that virgin coconut oil will melt and appear liquid at 77 degrees F. Mine looks liquid when the house is hot.
Tiffany says
What can you substitute for the shredded coconut?
Carol Shaughnessy says
I used almond powder as a substitute and they still turned out great!
Bren says
Sounds great, Carol. Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Katie says
Hi I’m just wondering when you say cup what measure is this. Thank you
Bren says
Katie, a cup is a US measurement that is equal to approximately 90 gram or 3.17 oz of oats. You can see more dry and liquid measurement equivalents here.
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Amanda says
They are delicious! But I can’t get them to stay together in balls. Any suggestions?
Bren says
Try refrigerating the mixture for an hour then shaping. You can also add a bit more peanut butter or honey.
Kate says
I have a type 1 diabetic and count carbs…any per serving nutrition information?
Bren says
Kate, I added the information to the bottom of the post. If you make the recipe using unsweetened coconut and natural peanut better with no sugar added and make 32 balls, each energy ball will be: Calories 92, Total Fat 6g, Cholesterol 0.3mg, Sodium 3mg, Total Carbohydrate 8.7g, Sugars 3.8g, Protein 2.1g.
Eileen says
What is the fiber per serving?
Bren says
There are 1.3 grams of fiber per energy ball.
Tanya says
Hi do you think these would be nice with coco pops instead of rice crispies
Bren says
Yes, I think coco pops would work. Let me know if you like the substitution.
Tanya says
Thank you, also could I use ground flaxseed meal instead of ground flaxseed. Is this the same thing? Thanks
Bren says
Yes, flaxseed meal and ground flaxseed are the same thing! Make sure to store it in the fridge or freezer, it goes bad quickly after it is ground.
Cathy Truesdale says
What kind of crispy rice cereal do you mean? My husband bought some for me at a health food store and I’m not sure it will work. It’s Erewhon’s Crispy Brown Rice Cereal. It says they “puff the rice to its crispy best for a cereal that’s not too sweet”.
Bren says
Cathy, I use Rice Krispies or a similar cereal. It sounds like your cereal would work. 🙂 Good luck!
Michelle says
I just made these. They are delicious!
Bren says
Thanks, Michelle! I am so glad you enjoyed them!
melissa says
can I substitute the coconut oil
Bren says
I’ve never made when without coconut oil, let me know if you try!
Julie Sears says
So I made them with liquid coconut oil and am wondering if that’s why they aren’t staying together. The recipe didn’t specify so I wasn’t sure. I moved them to the freezer. The flavor is fantastic, better than any granola bar I’ve eaten!
Bren says
Sorry for the confusion, Julie. You need to use virgin coconut oil… the solid at room temperature coconut oil. I am glad you found a solution to keep them together!
Rebecca B says
My six year old loves these in his lunch box! I scooped the mix into a mini muffin tin, smooshed it down a little with the back of a spoon, then refrigerated for half an hour — they were nice and solid when I popped them out, and I made a lot less mess than when I tried to roll them in my hands :). I also used vanilla and nutmeg infused honey, because I had it, and why not? So yummy!
Bren says
Get idea, Rebecca! I am so glad you (and your son) enjoyed the recipe.
Julianna says
Love this recipe! Full of healthy ingredients and delicious. I pressed them into different shaped silicon moulds and they turned out really great!
Bren says
What a fun idea, Julianna! Thanks for sharing.
Vanessa says
How long can these keep for? I’d guess refrigerated, but maybe frozen? Thanks
Bren says
They last for at least a week in the refrigerator. I have never frozen them, I am afraid it might make them loose their crispy texture.
Carlie says
Why do they need to be stored in glass?
Bren says
You can store them however you desire. I prefer to store food in glass containers.
Sharon says
These energy bites are delicious!! My kids and husband devour them. 🙂 I did struggle, however, to form them into balls even after refrigerating the mixture for over an hour. Any suggestions on how to make that process easier? I haven’t tried making them into bars yet and that may be what I do next time to avoid the frustration with rolling them. Thanks!
Bren says
You need to press them into balls then roll once they are tightly packed. You can add a bit less oatmeal to make them “goopier” and a bit easier to shape. Good luck!
Kristin says
These turned out great. I used ‘wow’ butter as opposed to peanut butter as my child’s school is nut free. Also added some raisins. Rolled them into tiny bite size balls and everyone loved them 🙂 Added this recipe to our favourites!
Bren says
Thanks for sharing, Kristin! I’m so glad the energy bites we a success.
Meredith says
The flavor was great, and the kids loved the process of making the mixture. However, there was no way to form them into balls if you follow the recipe to a T. We had to add a significant amount of extra honey and peanut butter, and it was still hard to get more than 50% of the mix to stick together. I love the idea of these, but since you are the first thing that popped up from a “kid friendly energy bite” google search, I’d suggest adjusting your recipe
Bren says
Sorry you had problems, Meredith. Did you refrigerate the mix as directed and then “squeeze” into balls? I’ve update the recipe to be more specific.