Florencia Baldini Last Updated on June 7, 2025According to my harshest food critic (my boyfriend Alan ), these are the best protein balls I’ve ever made – and I think I agree! They’re the perfect mix of chewy, chocolatey, nutty and naturally sweet. The best part? You only need 6 wholesome ingredients and a food processor to make them.
These little bites are full of goodness – oats for slow-releasing energy, peanut butter for healthy fats, chia seeds for fibre, and dates for natural sweetness. I love how quick they are to make, and they taste like a treat while still being nourishing and satisfying. A pinch of salt brings out all the flavours, and that final stir of chopped dark chocolate takes them to the next level.
Whether you keep them in the fridge for a grab-and-go snack or take them in your bag for the day, they’re the kind of snack that keeps you full, energised, and happy – without any refined sugar or hidden extras.
Energy Balls: What Are They?
Energy balls are small, nutrient-dense snacks made with natural ingredients like oats, nut butter, seeds and dried fruit. They’re designed to give you a quick burst of energy, making them perfect for busy days, between meals, or before a workout. What makes these peanut butter energy balls so great is that they’re made with only 6 wholesome ingredients, take just minutes to prepare, and are naturally sweetened with dates and honey – no refined sugars or additives. They’re balanced with fibre, healthy fats and plant-based protein, so they keep you full and satisfied for hours. Plus, they taste like a treat!
Tips
- Use Soft Dates: Medjool dates are ideal. If they’re a bit dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes first.
- Blitz Without Chocolate: Blend the main mix first, then stir in the chopped chocolate for better texture.
- Pinch of Salt: It’s optional, but I highly recommend it – it balances the sweetness and makes the flavour pop.
- Chill to Set: Pop the balls in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up and hold their shape better.
- Portion Evenly: Use a tablespoon or small scoop to make sure all the balls are the same size.
Swaps
Oats: Rolled oats are perfect. For a gluten-free option, just use certified gluten-free oats.
Peanut butter: Almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter all work well – just make sure they’re smooth and unsweetened.
Chia seeds: You can use ground flaxseed instead, though the texture will be slightly softer.
Medjool dates: Regular dates can be used, but soak them first to soften.
Honey: Maple syrup or agave syrup are great plant-based swaps.
Dark chocolate: I always use 70% dark chocolate because it has more cacao and less sugar. If you’re not used to that richness, you can use 50–60% dark instead – but always go dark for the health benefits.
Storage
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days. They’ll firm up and hold their shape beautifully.
Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before eating.
More Energy Ball Recipes
- Apricots energy balls
- 4 Ingredients Healthy Double Chocolate Balls
- 4-Ingredient Cashew Chocolate Bites
6 Ingredients Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Video
Ingredients
- 60 g oats
- 80 g peanut butter
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 5 medjool dates, ~60g
- 1 tbsp honey, or maple syrup
- 15 g dark chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor (leave the chocolate out for this step) and blitz until it reaches a uniform consistency. I also added a pinch of salt with i think enhance the flavour, optional, but really recommend it! It took me 1-2 minutes with my food processor to reach the right consistency.
- Add the chopped chocolate mix and shape into balls.
- I like to leave them in the fridge for a few hours so they harden up so they don’t crumble.