Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Bites
on Mar 07, 2025, Updated Mar 15, 2025
Calling all peanut butter cup lovers! These Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Bites are topped with a rich dark chocolate drizzle and taste like dessert.
You’ll love these peanut butter energy bites!
When I was recipe testing for my cookbook, I had the idea for these crunchy peanut butter energy balls.
One of my favorite dessert combinations is chocolate plus sea salt flakes, so I knew that it would taste amazing on these protein balls!
Just like my other energy ball recipes, these are super easy to throw together, no bake, and you can prep them in just minutes.
Each one packs around 6-7 grams of protein, is so satisfying, and actually fills you up.
My 3 little boys go through snacks like nobody’s business, but energy bites are one thing that will actually keep them full!
We make at least one batch a week, if not two. They don’t last long in our house!
Ingredients & Notes
Nothing fancy here! You only need a few pantry ingredients to make these peanut butter energy balls.
- No stir creamy peanut butter: notably thicker and smoother than natural peanut butter, this version is what you need for this recipe.
- Quick oats: these are smaller in texture than old fashioned oats, but you can also use those if you want to.
- Roasted salted peanuts: these add the best crunch and texture to these energy balls!
- Honey: the sticky sweetener that holds all of the ingredients together.
- Vanilla protein powder
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Dark chocolate chips & coconut oil: for making the chocolate drizzle
- Sea salt flakes: these are optional, but HIGHLY recommended. The salty sweet flavors play so well off of each other!
How to make peanut butter energy balls
Step 1: First, use a food processor to pulse the peanuts into small pieces. If you do not have a food processor, just use a knife and a cutting board to give them a rough chop.
Step 2: Add the peanut pieces to a mixing bowl. Add the quick oats, peanut butter, honey, vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix it all together using a rubber spatula until a thick batter forms.
Step 3: Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Use a mini cookie scoop to drop balls of batter onto the baking sheet.
Joy’s Tip
A mini cookie scoop is the best tool to help portion out energy balls. My favorite size to buy is the 1.5 tablespoon. This not only makes it easier to divide the batter, but it also makes the process go a lot faster!
Step 4: Roll each ball with your hands to smooth out the edges.
Step 5: Microwave the dark chocolate and coconut oil in 15-20 second increments, stirring each time, until smooth. Be careful not to burn it.
Step 6: Drizzle the melted chocolate over the tops of the energy bites. Top each one immediately with flaked sea salt before the chocolate sets.
Step 7: Place the baking sheet with the energy bites on it into the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the balls are hardened.
Storing
Leftover peanut butter energy balls can be stored in an airtight container or bag. They will keep 5-7 days in the refrigerator, or 2-3 months in the freezer.
To thaw frozen energy bites, allow them to sit at room temperature for around 5 minutes or so before eating.
More Energy Ball Recipes
Meal prep these peanut butter crunch energy bites for your family next week and watch them disappear!
Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup no stir creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup quick oats
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Use a food processor to pulse the peanuts into small pieces.
- Add the peanut pieces to a mixing bowl. Add the quick oats, peanut butter, honey, vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix it all together using a rubber spatula until a thick batter forms.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Use a mini cookie scoop to drop balls of batter onto the baking sheet.
- Roll each ball with your hands to smooth out the edges.
- Place the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small bowl.
- Microwave the chocolate in 15-20 second increments, stirring each time, until smooth. Be careful not to burn the chocolate.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the tops of the energy bites.
- Top each one immediately with flaked sea salt before the chocolate sets.
- Place the baking sheet with the energy bites on it into the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the balls are hardened.
- Transfer the energy bites to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
