Monster Cookie Energy Balls

Monster Cookie Energy Balls are chewy, peanut buttery, and packed with chocolate chips and colorful M&M’s in every bite! These no bake treats come together in just 15 minutes with pantry staples like oats, honey, and peanut butter. They’re the perfect after-school snack, lunchbox surprise, or when you need something that tastes like a cookie but feels just a little bit wholesome.

Love More Desserts Recipes? Try My No Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls or this No Bake Oreo Balls next.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No oven required – Everything mixes in one bowl and chills in the fridge
• Kid-approved flavor – Tastes just like a Monster Cookie, but in snackable form
• Naturally energizing – Oats, peanut butter, and honey give you a boost without the crash
• Make-ahead friendly – Perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or busy mornings
• Customizable – Swap in your favorite mix-ins or chocolate varieties

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Energy Balls:

• 2½ cups quick oats (not old-fashioned oats – see note below)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (Jif, Skippy, or Peter Pan – NOT natural peanut butter)
• ½ cup honey (acts as the sweet binder)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips (regular size works, but mini is better)
• ½ cup mini M&M’s (the pop of color makes them extra fun!)

Substitution Notes:

• If you only have old-fashioned oats, pulse them in a food processor until finer before using
• Maple syrup or agave can replace honey in equal amounts
• Use any color M&M’s you like – holiday colors are always a hit!

Why These Ingredients Work

Quick oats work like magic in this recipe. Their fine texture creates a base that holds everything together, almost like flour does in baked goods.

Regular creamy peanut butter adds richness and helps bind the mixture. The natural kind won’t work here because it separates too easily.

Honey sweetens while acting as the glue. It keeps the balls soft and helps everything stick together perfectly.

Mini chocolate chips and M&M’s give you colorful bursts in every bite. The smaller pieces spread throughout better than regular-sized candies. Those bright colors bring back memories of classic Monster Cookies!

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or handheld electric mixer (a mixer makes this SO much easier)
• Plate or airtight storage container
• Optional: cookie scoop for uniform sizing

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Combine All Ingredients

Add the quick oats, peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, mini chocolate chips, and mini M&M’s into a large mixing bowl. Use a sturdy wooden spoon or handheld mixer to combine everything together. The mixer is honestly the easiest route here – it gets everything perfectly blended without wearing out your arm!

Step 2: Shape Into Balls

Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it between your palms into a 1-inch ball. The mixture will feel slightly sticky from the honey, but it should hold together nicely. If it’s too sticky, lightly spray your hands with cooking spray or refrigerate the mixture for 20–30 minutes before rolling. Place each ball on a plate or directly into a storage container.

Step 3: Chill (Optional but Recommended)

You can enjoy these right away if you’re impatient (no judgment!), but they taste even better after chilling in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. The texture firms up and the flavors meld together beautifully. Cold energy balls straight from the fridge are truly chef’s kiss.

Step 4: Store and Enjoy

Transfer the energy balls to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week – though in my house, they rarely last that long!

You Must Know

The biggest mistake? Using natural peanut butter. You absolutely need regular creamy brands like Skippy or Jif. Natural varieties lack the binding oils your energy balls need. Without them, the mixture crumbles and won’t hold its shape.

Quick oats matter just as much. Their smaller pieces work like a binder throughout the mixture. Old-fashioned oats are too chunky. If that’s all you have, pulse them in a food processor first to break them down.

Personal Secret: When the mixture feels sticky or loose, refrigerate the whole bowl for twenty minutes before rolling. The cold firms up the honey and peanut butter just enough.

Pro Tips & Cooking Hacks

• Use a cookie scoop – A 1-tablespoon scoop gives you perfectly sized balls every time and speeds up the process
• Chill the mixture first – If your kitchen is warm or the mixture feels too soft, refrigerate for 20 minutes before rolling
• Spray your hands lightly – A little cooking spray on your palms prevents sticking without affecting the texture
• Press before you roll – Work the mixture between your fingers and palm first to compact it, then roll into a ball
• Double the batch – These freeze beautifully, so make extra and stash them for later
• Don’t overbuy – Mini chocolate chips and M&M’s are usually in the baking aisle, not the candy aisle

Flavor Variations & Suggestions

Want to switch things up? Swap mini M&M’s for butterscotch chips or white chocolate. Dried cranberries add a nice tart contrast too.

Going all-in on chocolate? Use a full cup of mini chips and skip the M&M’s completely. Or stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder for deeper chocolate flavor.

Holiday versions are always fun. Red and green M&M’s for Christmas. Pastels for Easter. Orange and black for Halloween parties.

Boost the nutrition by adding flaxseed or chia seeds. A tablespoon won’t change the taste but adds fiber and omega-3s.

Not a peanut butter fan? Almond butter or cashew butter work beautifully. Just stick with the creamy, regular kind.

Kids love when I add shredded coconut or chopped pecans for crunch. A handful of crushed pretzels creates an addictive sweet-and-salty combo.

Make-Ahead Options

These energy balls shine for meal prep. Make them on Sunday and grab them all week long for quick snacks or lunchbox treats. They stay fresh in the fridge for up to seven days in an airtight container.

Planning further ahead? They freeze beautifully for three months. Roll them first, then arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about an hour. Transfer to a freezer bag or container.

Thaw them in the fridge overnight or let them sit at room temperature for twenty to thirty minutes. I keep a stash in my freezer for busy mornings when I need something sweet without any effort.

What to Serve With Monster Cookie Energy Balls

These little bites are perfect on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (obviously!), a steaming mug of coffee, or even a smoothie for breakfast.

Pack them alongside apple slices, string cheese, and crackers for a balanced snack box. They’re also a hit at playdates, potlucks, or bake sales. I’ve served them on a platter with fresh fruit and yogurt dip for brunch, and they disappear in minutes.

They’re sweet enough to feel like dessert but wholesome enough to justify eating two (or three) in one sitting.

Allergy Information

Common Allergens:

• Contains peanuts (peanut butter)
• Contains gluten (check your oats if you need certified gluten-free)
• May contain dairy (depending on chocolate chips and M&M’s)

Substitution Suggestions: For a peanut-free version, use sunflower seed butter or WowButter (soy-based). Make sure it’s the creamy, regular kind, not natural.

For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats. Most oats are naturally gluten-free but can be cross-contaminated during processing.

For dairy-free, swap in Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips and skip the M&M’s, or use a dairy-free candy alternative.

Storage & Reheating

Store your Monster Cookie Energy Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They taste best cold, straight from the fridge!

If you’ve frozen them, transfer to the fridge the night before you want to eat them, or let them sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes. No reheating needed – these are meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temp. Just grab and go!

Questions I Get Asked A Lot

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?

You can, but you’ll need to pulse them in a food processor first to break them down into a finer texture. Quick oats work best because they’re already processed smaller, which helps bind the energy balls together. If you skip this step, your balls might not hold together as well.

Why are my energy balls falling apart?

This almost always comes down to using natural peanut butter instead of regular creamy peanut butter. Natural peanut butter is too dry and oily, so the mixture won’t bind. Make sure you’re using Jif, Skippy, or Peter Pan. Also double-check that you’re using quick oats, not old-fashioned.

How long do these last in the fridge?

They’ll stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. But honestly, they usually don’t last that long in my house! If you want to keep them longer, freeze them for up to three months.

Can I add protein powder to these?

Yes! You can add 2–3 tablespoons of your favorite protein powder. Just be aware that it may make the mixture drier, so you might need to add an extra tablespoon or two of honey or peanut butter to keep them moist and rollable.

💬 Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and rating below! I’d love to hear how yours turned out and what fun mix-ins you added.