Energy Balls with Oats

# What You Need:

01 - 1.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

02 - 0.5 cup mini chocolate chips

03 - 0.33 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, optional

04 - 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter

05 - 0.33 cup honey or maple syrup

06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

07 - Pinch of salt

01 - In a large bowl, combine oats, chocolate chips, and coconut if using.

02 - In a separate bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.

03 - Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until well combined.

04 - Using hands or a small cookie scoop, roll mixture into 1-inch balls.

05 - Place energy balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

06 - Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.

01 -

They come together in 15 minutes with zero baking required, which means you can make them on a Tuesday night for Saturday's game.
Your kids actually want to eat them because they taste like a treat, not punishment nutrition.
One batch makes enough for the whole team if you're that parent, or just your household for the entire week.

02 -

Skip the chilling step at your own risk—I learned this the hard way when I tried to pack warm energy balls in a lunch box and they turned into a peanut butter smudge by snack time.
The mixture should feel like very thick cookie dough when you're done mixing; if it's too crumbly, your peanut butter might have been too thick, so add honey a teaspoon at a time until it comes together.

03 -

If your peanut butter is the natural kind that separates, stir the oil back in before measuring so you get the right consistency and binding power.
Slightly cool hands make rolling easier than cold hands from the fridge, and work in a cool kitchen if possible so the mixture doesn't get too soft as you shape.