Monster energy balls are a no-bake twist on the classic cookie, made with peanut butter, oats, and mini M&Ms and naturally sweetened with honey. These energy bites come together in 10 minutes and make the perfect grab-and-go snack.

Monster energy balls in a white bowl.

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Why My Family Loves This Monster Energy Balls Recipe

These monster energy balls started as my way of turning monster cookies into a no-bake version of my 5-ingredient energy balls. Same oats, peanut butter, and colorful M&Ms, but with flaxseed added and honey standing in for the sugar.

You get that same sweet-and-salty, creamy-crunchy bite, and the kids love helping roll them. We keep a stash of these energy bites around for after school, road trips, hikes, and post-workout snacks.

  • Better-for-you. These monster energy bites swap refined sugar for honey and pack in protein from peanut butter plus fiber from oats and flax, so they satisfy a sweet craving with a little more staying power.
  • Quick and simple. Five minutes to mix and five to chill, and that’s the only thing between you and the first bite.
  • Freezer-friendly. The energy balls keep for weeks in the fridge and months in the freezer, so a double batch is always worth it.

More no-bake healthy snack recipes we love include these homemade granola bars, pumpkin spice protein balls, and peanut butter oatmeal balls.

XO - Jamielyn

Monster Energy Balls Ingredients

Monster energy ball ingredients on marble countertop.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Creamy peanut butter: I use Jif Natural, but it’s still a no-stir peanut butter. Avoid the kind of natural peanut butter that separates, since it’s thin and runny and the balls will have a hard time holding their shape.
  • Honey: The natural sweetness. Raw, unpasteurized, creamy, or liquid all work, so use what you have and adjust the amount to taste.
  • Vanilla extract: A little flavor boost.
  • Salt: Balances out the sweet for that sweet-and-salty bite.
  • Old fashioned oats: I prefer rolled oats over instant. They’re less processed and give a coarser texture, but either works. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
  • Ground flaxseed: Adds fiber and Omega-3s, and it also helps bind the monster energy balls together.
  • Mini M&Ms and mini chocolate chips: The monster part of these energy bites! Adjust the amounts to taste.

How to Make Monster Energy Balls

Add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt to a medium or large bowl and stir until completely smooth. Taste it now and add a little more honey if you like things sweeter.

Stir in the oats and ground flaxseed until the mixture comes together into a thick, scoopable dough. Then add the mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, and any other mix-ins, folding gently just until they’re evenly distributed.

Smooth peanut butter, honey, and vanilla stirred together in a glass bowl.
Oats, ground flaxseed, mini M&Ms, and chocolate chips added to the peanut butter base.

Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the dough and roll each portion between your palms into a ball, setting them on a parchment-lined baking sheet as you go.

Transfer the sheet to the fridge until the monster energy balls are firm and set, then move them to an airtight container. And maybe enjoy one right away. For quality control, of course.

Monster energy ball dough with M&Ms and oats, ready to scoop with a cookie scoop.
Rolled monster energy balls topped with mini M&Ms on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Substitutions and Add-Ins

Here are a few easy ways to make these monster energy bites your own, whether you’re swapping something out or boosting flavor and texture.

Easy swaps:

  • Candy and chocolate. The candy-coated chocolate is what makes these taste like monster cookies, but you can leave it out or swap in raisins or chopped nuts.
  • Honey. Maple syrup works in its place. Start with a little less than the recipe calls for, since both are natural sweeteners but maple runs thinner.
  • Peanut butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, Biscoff, cookie butter, or pumpkin seed butter all work. Just keep it creamy and not too runny so the balls hold their shape.
  • Oats. For a smoother, cookie-dough-like texture, swap half the oats for Kodiak cakes mix. Just know it brings its own fat and sugar.

Mix-ins to try:

  • A pinch of ground cinnamon
  • Chia seeds
  • Protein powder, for higher-protein monster energy bites. Start with 2 to 3 tablespoons and add a splash more honey or peanut butter if the dough gets dry.
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes
  • Crispy rice cereal, add up to 1/4 cup for a crunchier bite
  • Cocoa powder, 1 to 2 tablespoons for a chocolatey version.
  • Chopped nuts
Monster energy balls topped with colorful M&Ms on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Tip: Adding extra mix-ins can shift the dry-to-wet ratio. If the dough feels too dry, work in a bit more peanut butter and honey. If it’s too sticky, add a tablespoon or two of oats until it holds its shape.

Monster energy bites piled into a white bowl.

More wholesome snack recipes include these breakfast cookies, this granola recipe, my trail mix recipe and these cereal bars!

More Healthy Snack Ideas

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Monster energy balls on a baking sheet.

Monster Energy Balls

5 from 18 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Freeze: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 30
No-bake monster energy balls that taste like a monster cookie in snack form, made with peanut butter, oats, honey, and mini M&Ms. Ready in 10 minutes for a perfect grab-and-go energy bite.
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Ingredients 

Optional Mix-in's: Pinch of ground cinnamon, Chia seeds, Protein powder, Crispy rice cereal, Coconut

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Taste and add more honey if desired.
  • Add the oats, flaxseed, mini M&M's, chocolate chips, and any other desired mix-in's. Stir until combined.
  • Using a small cookie scoop or 1 Tablespoon, shape the dough into balls and place on the baking sheet.
  • Chill in the refrigerator on baking sheet. Then once firm, move to a covered container.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Note: If you add extra ingredients and the mixture feels too dry, add a little more peanut butter and honey. If it feels too sticky, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of oats.
Oats: Yes, you may substitute quick oats, but I prefer old fashioned.
Nut Butter: I prefer JIF Natural brand for these. Yes, you may substitute almond butter (make sure it’s not too runny). For nut allergies, you could also use Biscoff or cookie butter. 
Variation: For a smoother cookie dough flavor, try using 1/2 cup oats and 1/2 cup Kodiak cakes. For a crunchier flavor, try mixing in 1/4 cup crispy rice cereal.
Storage: Store in a covered container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. If freezing, flash freeze first in a single layer to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball, Calories: 105kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 40mg, Potassium: 72mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 9IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.