These Snickers Energy Balls are an easy no-bake snack made with dates, peanuts, and dark chocolate, giving you all the sweet, salty, chocolate-peanut flavor of a Snickers bar in a wholesome, make-ahead bite.
For more energy ball recipes, try our peanut butter energy balls, date energy balls, or key lime pie energy balls.
Why you’ll love Snickers Energy Balls!
If you love the sweet, salty, chocolate-peanut flavor of a Snickers bar but want something made with simple, wholesome ingredients, these Snickers Energy Balls are for you. 🥜🍫✨ They have a soft caramel-like center from dates, plenty of peanut flavor, and little pockets of dark chocolate in every bite.
Louise and I tested these several times to get the texture just right. The result is an easy no-bake snack that’s satisfying, naturally sweetened, and made with everyday ingredients. No protein powder, no complicated steps, and no messy chocolate coating required—although a quick drizzle of dark chocolate on top takes them to the next level 🤤.
They’re great for meal prep, afternoon cravings, or whenever you want a healthy snack recipe that feels a little special. We also love that they’re freezer-friendly and easy to keep on hand for busy days. If you’re looking for a simple treat that tastes indulgent but is made with ingredients you can feel good about, these chocolate peanut butter energy balls deliver every time.
P.S. Love healthy no-bake snacks? Check out our no-bake oat bars, peanut butter no-bake cookies, or chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies.
Ingredients
Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.
- Medjool dates: They create the caramel-like sweetness that makes these Snickers Energy Balls taste so satisfying. Medjool dates work best because they’re soft and moist. You can use Deglet Noor dates (we tested them as you can see in the pictures and video), but you’ll likely need a few extra or enough to reach the same weight.
- Rolled oats: Old-fashioned or quick oats both work well. Oats add structure and make these energy balls more filling.
- Roasted salted peanuts: These provide the classic Snickers flavor and crunchy texture. Substitute roasted almonds, cashews, pecans, or a mix of nuts for a different twist.
- Natural peanut butter: Adds richness and helps bind everything together. To keep these Snickers Energy Balls wholesome, use 100% natural peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt. Stir it well before measuring. You can substitute almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the caramel notes. You can leave it out or swap it for a pinch of cinnamon.
- Dark chocolate chips: Little pockets of chocolate make these chocolate peanut butter energy balls feel like a treat. Use chopped dark chocolate, mini chocolate chips, or cacao nibs.
- Dark chocolate (optional): Melted and drizzled on top, it turns these into irresistible healthy no bake snacks. You can drizzle or fully dip the balls for an extra-decadent finish. Use 70% dark chocolate for the best balance of rich chocolate flavor, smooth melting, and moderate sweetness.
How to Make Snickers Energy Balls
Step 1: Blend the base
Add the pitted dates, oats, peanuts, peanut butter, and vanilla extract to a food processor.
Blend until the mixture looks crumbly but sticks together when pressed between your fingers. This is the texture you’re looking for.
If the mixture doesn’t hold together when squeezed in your hand, add 2 or 3 more dates and blend again.
Tip: Medjool dates work best because they’re soft and naturally moist. If using Deglet Noor dates, you may need a little more to reach the same texture.
Step 2: Add the chocolate
Add the chocolate chips to the food processor.
Pulse a few times until they are evenly mixed through the dough. You want little bits of chocolate throughout the mixture, not fully blended.
Step 3: Roll into balls
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the palm of your hand.
Squeeze it firmly a few times to compact the mixture. This helps the ingredients stick together and naturally forms a ball shape.
Once compact, give it a quick roll between your palms to smooth it out.
Place the balls on a plate or tray lined with parchment paper.
Tip: The mixture may look a little crumbly in the food processor. That’s normal. If it sticks together when squeezed in your hand, it’s ready to shape.
Step 4: Optional chocolate topping
Place the dark chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until smooth and melted.
Drizzle the chocolate over the energy balls, or dip them halfway or fully for a more decadent finish. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts if you like.
Refrigerate or freeze for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.
These energy balls are perfect as a make ahead snack and keep well in the refrigerator or freezer.
Tips
- Use Medjool dates if possible: They are softer, sweeter, and contain more moisture than other varieties, giving the energy balls the best caramel-like texture.
- Adjust for Deglet Noor dates: These dates are smaller and drier than Medjools. You may need a few extra dates to reach the right sweetness and texture.
- Don’t overblend the chocolate chips: Pulse just a few times so you get little pockets of chocolate throughout the balls.
- Look for the right texture: The mixture may look slightly crumbly in the food processor. That’s normal. If it sticks together when squeezed in your hand, it’s ready to roll.
- Squeeze before rolling: Compressing the mixture in your palm first helps the energy balls hold together and makes shaping easier. It also keeps the mixture from sticking to your hands.
- If the mixture feels too dry: Add 2 or 3 more dates and blend again until it holds together easily.
- Use natural peanut butter: Choose a peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt. Stir it well before measuring.
- For the best chocolate topping: Use 70% dark chocolate. It melts smoothly, tastes rich, and pairs perfectly with the peanuts and dates.
- Chill before serving: A short time in the refrigerator or freezer helps the chocolate set and makes the balls even more satisfying to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store the Snickers Energy Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. Let frozen balls sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
Yes. Deglet Noor dates work well, but they are smaller and drier than Medjool dates. For the best texture, measure the dates by weight rather than volume and add a few extra dates if the mixture seems dry.
A slightly crumbly mixture is normal. Squeeze some in your hand. If it holds together when pressed, it’s ready to shape. If it falls apart, add 1 or 2 more dates and blend again.
A food processor gives the best texture for these no bake Snickers bites. If you don’t have one, you can finely chop the dates and peanuts and mix everything by hand, although the texture will be less smooth.
Absolutely. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work well. Each one will give the energy balls a slightly different flavor.
No. The energy balls are delicious without it. The chocolate drizzle or dip simply makes them taste more like a classic Snickers bar.
Yes. Quick oats and old-fashioned rolled oats both work well in this recipe. Quick oats create a slightly softer texture.
Yes. These healthy snack recipes are perfect for meal prep because they keep well in the refrigerator and freezer. Make a batch on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week.
More Wholesome Treats and Snack Recipes
- Healthy Zucchini Brownies
- Carrot Cake Energy Balls
- Healthy Granola Recipe
- Healthy Breakfast Cookies
- Date Brownies
- Healthy Banana Cookies
- Blueberry baked oatmeal with Greek yogurt
- Almond flour blueberry muffins
If you try this Snickers Energy Balls Recipe please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments—we love hearing from you.
Snickers Energy Balls (Healthy No Bake Snack)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 packed cup Medjool dates 6 oz / 170 g – pitted; if using Deglet dates, add a few extra dates to reach 6 ounces (170 g)
- ½ cup rolled oats old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
- ½ cup roasted salted peanuts
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter stir well
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons mini dark chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chopped, 70% cocoa, optional for topping
Instructions
- Blend: Add 1 packed cup Medjool dates, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup roasted salted peanuts, ¼ cup natural peanut butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to a food processor.Blend until the mixture looks crumbly but holds together when squeezed in your hand. If it seems too dry, add 2 or 3 more dates and blend again.
- Add the chocolate: Add 3 tablespoons mini dark chocolate chips and pulse a few times until mixed through.You want small pieces of chocolate throughout the mixture, not fully blended.
- Roll: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture into your hand.Squeeze it firmly a few times to compact it, then roll it briefly between your palms to smooth it into a ball.Place the balls on a parchment-lined plate or tray.
- Optional chocolate topping: Melt ⅓ cup dark chocolate (chopped) in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.Drizzle over the energy balls or dip them in the chocolate. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts if you like.Refrigerate or freeze for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.
Notes
- Medjool dates → Deglet Noor dates (use a few extra, or enough to reach the same weight).
- Rolled oats → Quick oats.
- Roasted salted peanuts → Roasted almonds, cashews, pecans, or a mixed nut blend.
- Natural peanut butter → Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Use a well-stirred natural nut butter made with just nuts and salt.
- Vanilla extract → A pinch of cinnamon, or leave it out.
- Dark chocolate chips → Chopped dark chocolate, mini chocolate chips, or cacao nibs.
- Dark chocolate (optional topping) → Use 70% dark chocolate for the best flavor and texture, or skip the topping altogether.
- Use Medjool dates for the best soft, caramel-like texture.
- Using Deglet dates? Add a few extra if the mixture seems dry.
- Don’t overblend the chocolate so you keep little chocolate pockets.
- Check the texture by squeezing the mixture in your hand. If it sticks, it’s ready.
- Squeeze before rolling for perfectly round balls that hold together well.
- Too dry? Blend in 2 or 3 more dates.
- Use natural peanut butter and stir it well before measuring.
- Choose 70% dark chocolate for the best topping.
- Chill before serving for the best texture.
- Store properly in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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