Ever since swimming in college, I have been a total fitness nut. I enjoyed working out in my high school days, but it wasn’t until college when I really appreciate the art of routine. When you do the same thing on a weekly basis, you get in the habit of it. And then it’s hard to stop. When I stopped collegiate swimming, I added some other things into my weekly routine: zumba, cycle classes, cross-training workouts…but still swimming and lifting a few times a week. I still felt in great shape, but the one thing that really gets you through it all is PROTEIN. My mom’s going to laugh reading this, because she tells me all the time how important it is. Thanks mom : )
Seriously though, let’s just take a step back and think about it for a minute. Protein provides you with energy and muscle recovery. It also helps you feel fuller longer. In college, I could definitely feel a difference between the days I consistently made myself a protein shake after practice, and the days that I didn’t. Especially with the amount of calories burned while swimming, protein was really the key to efficient recovery for me. When I think of life now, I really don’t want to make a shake every day. Don’t get me wrong, I love making protein smoothies! I just don’t always get around to it, or maybe I just forgot to buy yogurt. Yeah, both sound like me.
For those times I don’t make a smoothie or can’t find a snack with protein to munch on, in come these oatmeal chocolate chip energy balls! Because I have been so into energy and protein balls lately! There are so many different flavor combinations and varieties, and they are just so easy to make. I tend to make a large batch and freeze them, then I just pop one or a few out whenever I need a mid-day snack or after-workout fuel. It’s convenient, they taste delicious, and it’s a great way to get in some quick protein.
Here’s why I am obsessed with these oatmeal chocolate chip energy balls:
Peanut Butter: Because I love it. Peanut butter acts as glue in this recipe, and is a quick source of additional protein.
Honey: Nature’s natural sweetener that I use in multiple ways every day. It adds just a touch of sweetness while helping to glue everything together.
ROLLED OATS: If I had to take one food with me on a desert island, it would be oatmeal. I’m obsessed. That is all.
Protein Powder: This is a great way to get additional protein in each bite! I use BiPro unflavored whey protein powder, as this has been my go-to protein powder since going gluten free. Their unflavored is awesome, and it doesn’t have any whey aftertaste. You could also try this recipe with vanilla flavored protein powder, and I’m sure it would taste just as great!
Chocolate Chips: Because everything is better with chocolate.
This recipe is very easy to make. Just add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl, and mix together until everything is thick and totally combined. You could also use a food processor if you wish, just leave out the chocolate chips and fold them in at the very end, but I find this mixture is easy enough to just stir (plus it’s easier cleanup). Then just roll into balls and refrigerate or freeze. Simple as that! I like to crush up my oats a little bit so that they are a bit in between quick oats and rolled oats, but it’s totally up to you. Just try not to be tempted to eat them all at once.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups gluten free rolled oats
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 scoop (1/4 cup) unflavored whey protein powder
- 1/2 cup gluten free mini chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)
- 1/2 tsp gluten free vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Add rolled oats, chocolate chips, cinnamon, and protein powder to a large mixing bowl and mix together so everything is evenly distributed. Read notes below if using a food processor.
- Add in peanut butter, vanilla, and honey. Mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until everything is combined.
- Form the mixture into 1 inch balls and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or pan. Cover and refrigerate or freeze until set, about 2 hour in the fridge and 1 hour in the freezer.
Notes
- If using a food processor, combine everything together except the chocolate chips and pulse until everything is combined. Fold in the chocolate chips at the very end, then form your balls and chill.
- If freezing these, just take out what you plan on eating and let defrost at room temperature for about 5 minutes until soft enough to enjoy. The longer you leave it to defrost, the softer it will be (about 10 minutes).
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Hi there!
I made this recipe and they were absolutely fantastic!
They survived a 3 Day Drive down to Florida with my family of five. Everybody ate them they were amazing! Now that I’m home from my holiday and watching my points that I eat, is there anyway I can get the nutritional breakdown for these? TIA!
I’m so glad to hear you and your family enjoyed them so much! They are definitely a family favorite around here. Regarding a nutritional breakdown, I don’t have an accurate breakdown to give since it will depend on the brand of ingredients you use (especially the peanut butter, protein powder, and chocolate chips). But I find that websites like MyFitnessPal can provide a pretty good idea if you enter in your ingredients! If you need to modify any of the ingredients, this recipe is pretty forgiving… you can always cut down the amount of honey, or sub chocolate chips for something else like nuts, raisins, or cranberries. Hope that helps! Thanks!
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Can someone please translate it in German for me, please?
White g instead of cups?
This woud be so great!
Awesome. I made it with ghost chips ahoy and reduce chocolate chips for the second batch. Soo good