Monster Cookie Energy Balls

Monster Cookie Energy Balls are a great afternoon energy boost or perfect for an after school snack. Hearty oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter, honey, and m&m’s make these energy balls so delicious and fun.


What ingredients are needed to make these Monster Cookie Energy Balls?

Quick Oats – After much testing of this recipe the quick oats works the best. Quick oats have a finer texture which acts as a binder (like flour would) in the energy balls. You can use old-fashioned oats for this recipe but you may have trouble getting the energy balls to form into “balls” and stay. 

Creamy Peanut Butter – If you’re having trouble with this recipe make sure you are using regular creamy peanut butter like from the Skippy brand, Jif, or Peter Pan. Do not use the all-natural peanut butter as those tend to dry out anything you put it in when baking with it. 

Honey

Vanilla Extract – This is what gives these energy balls that monster cookie flavor. 

Miniature Chocolate Chips – These are very common and found with the other chocolate chips. It’s best to use the miniature chips because they’re smaller in size which does better with the small energy balls. 

Miniature M&M’s – Found in the baking aisle or in the candy aisle with the other m&m candies. 

My Tips and Helpful Hints

DO NOT USE ALL NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER!

This is my #1 tip. This recipe has such mixed reviews and I am convinced it’s because some people try and use the natural peanut butter. Don’t do it. The balls will not hold together well, they will be crumbly, because natural peanut butter does not have the oils in it that are needed to “bind” the energy balls together. The natural peanut butter is drier and not as smooth as regular peanut butter. Just make sure you are using a peanut butter that does not say ‘natural’ or “all-natural” on the label. Of course some may try using natural peanut butter and say that it works fine. Go ahead and try it but for best results use regular creamy peanut butter.

QUICK OATS
Quick oats are a finer texture oat that is more binding. It acts as flour would in a recipe. For best results use quick oats.

DO I NEED TO REFRIGERATE THESE MONSTER COOKIE ENERGY BALLS?
Yes, they do need to be stored in the fridge. You can eat them right away after making.
I think they taste much better cold straight from the fridge. 

I'M HAVING TROUBLE ROLLING THE ENERGY BALLS!
The energy balls will be slightly sticky, because of the honey, but nothing so bad that you should not be able to roll into a ball shape. If you are still having trouble try pressing the mixture between your fingers and palm, work it a little bit, and then try rolling into a ball. This should help it come together better. If needed, spray your hand with cooking spray to help with the sticky