Go Back

Elf Energy Balls

Print Recipe
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats old-fashioned; not quick oats for best texture
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter or almond/cashew butter
  • 1/3 cup honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup ground flaxseed or chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries chopped for smaller bites
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Optional add-ins 2 tbsp hemp hearts; 2 tbsp finely chopped pistachios; 1 tbsp cocoa powder; 1/4 tsp peppermint extract

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, stir together oats, ground flaxseed, coconut, cinnamon, and salt.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until smooth and glossy. If stiff, microwave 10–15 seconds.
  3. Pour the wet mixture over the dry and stir until evenly coated. Fold in chocolate chips and cranberries (plus any optional add-ins).
  4. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so the oats and flax hydrate. This prevents crumbly chaos.
  5. Scoop heaping tablespoons and roll into 1–1.25-inch balls. Slightly damp hands = no sticking, no swearing.
  6. Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to firm up. They're edible right away, but chilling helps them hold shape.
  7. Enjoy straight from the fridge pre-gift-wrapping, pre-snowball fight, or pre-anything festive.