These peanut butter cookie dough bites are one of my favorite naturally sweetened, no-bake healthy treats! They're loaded with chocolate chips and ready in just 10 minutes.
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Healthy snacking can be a real challenge.
Keeping healthy snacks like these peanut butter cookie balls on hand can make healthy snacking so much easier. When you're hungry and looking for something to satisfy in the moment, you won't need to make anything, just grab one out of the refrigerator and start snacking.
While this recipe is technically an energy ball, it's a lot more fun to call it a cookie dough ball. Energy balls are the best because they are just the right size for keeping the hangries away, but they're made with wholesome ingredients that taste delicious.
One of the great things about these are that they'll satisfy either a sweet or salty craving. They have both!
These peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough bites are made with real, whole foods and come together in just minutes. Choose a dairy free chocolate (<-- affiliate link to the ones I love, which are Enjoy Life) to keep these vegan and dairy free.
Ingredients
- Quick cooking oats
- Peanut butter
- Pitted dates
- Vanilla extract
- Water
- Salt
- Chocolate Chips
How to make peanut butter cookie dough bites
- Place oats, peanut butter, dates, and vanilla in a food processor and let run until crumbly
- Add water a little bit at a time until the dough holds together when pinched between two fingers
- Add salt and chocolate chips and pulse just a couple times to incorporate
- Grab about 2 tablespoons of dough in your hands and roll into a ball, repeating with remaining dough
- Place dough balls in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve
Top tips
How to store peanut butter cookie dough bites
Store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or the freezer for up to three months.
What kind of dates should I use for energy balls?
Any pitted date will work for this recipe, but I love medjool dates because they're extra sticky and sweet. If you pit the dates yourself they will also be more moist and rich.
How do you pit a date?
Most grocery stores sell pitted dates, but to pit them yourself, just squeeze and bend the date until the hard pit pokes through. You could also slice into them with a small knife to expose the pit. Simply grab it and remove it before proceeding with the recipe.
Can I use natural peanut butter to make cookie dough bites?
A lot of people will say not to use natural peanut butter in baking because of possible oil separation, but I prefer to use it in all my recipes. Make sure you stir your jar of peanut butter well before incorporating it into this recipe.
Tips for customizing
- Make these gluten free by using certified gluten free oats
- Use whatever nut butter you have on hand such as almond or cashew (or try sunbutter for nut allergies)
- Double the recipe and freeze so you'll have snacks on hand for weeks
- Place dough balls on a small stick and dip in melted chocolate for a healthy twist on a cake pop
- Instead of chocolate chips, try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit
More energy ball recipes
- Gingerbread Energy Balls
- Cardamom Rose Energy Balls
- Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup quick cooking oats
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter, (I used natural peanut butter)
- ½ firmly packed pitted dates
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- up to 2 tablespoons of water
- Pinch of coarse kosher salt
- ¼ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine oats, peanut butter, dates, and vanilla until crumbly.
- With the motor running, add water a little bit at a time until desired consistency is reached. The mixture should hold together when pinched between two fingers.
- Sprinkle salt and chocolate chips over the top and pulse just a couple of times to incorporate.
- Carefully remove the blade from the food processor, then break off about two tablespoons of dough at a time, pressing and rolling it between your palms to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Store balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.
Kendra says
I'm not a healthy snacker but I wish I was. I'm always on the prowl for sweets. If I make a good choice, I really like string cheese. My kids love it too so we always have it in the house.
Lindsay Moe says
Yes! My kids love string cheese.
Gillian @ The Haas Machine says
Yum! This looks yummy, but I'd have to watch my portions on this one! I agree with Kendra about the string cheese... I don't think snacking is a bad thing, just as long as you are snacking on healthy things & you adjust your portion sizes at meal times.
Lindsay Moe says
Ummm, yeah. I definitely ate too many "these don't count" portions while I was balling them up.
Lisa @ Je suis alimentageuse says
These look so freaking good!! I want to make them sometime next week =D I try to snack on things that aren't processed =P I've been making my own popcorn over the stovetop, and eating fruits and veggies if I need something a little more substantial. My weakness right now is roasted seaweed though! Yum.
Lindsay Moe says
Is roasted seaweed a weakness? Sounds healthy to me!
Becca Heflin says
I can hardly stand how awesome these look, Lindsay! My biggest snacking problem is portion control, so I'd have to be really careful with these. It's FAR too easy for me to start popping...and no stopping!
Nicole says
I love yummy little energy bites! These look great! Pinning 😀
dina says
these sound yummy!
Marly says
I can't seem to ever get enough of chocolate chip cookie dough...especially when peanut butter is involved. Can't wait to give this recipe a try!
Jiska says
I made these bites tonight, so my son can take them as his farewell-treat at his last kindergarden day. Next week he goes to school for the first time! I hope the kids will like them. I do! Of course I tried one (or maybe 2 or 3...). I added a bit of cookie-spices, I think that is even an upgrade for this nice recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks for sharing your adaptation, I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe! Best wishes as your son heads off to school.