This is a variation of our energy bites base recipe. These easy no-bake energy bites are a great snack for any time of day. Pack a few chocolate hazelnut energy bites in your backpack, diaper bag, or gym bag so that you can have a delicious, nutritious snack wherever you go!
Learn How to Make the Base Recipe
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for the Best Hazelnut Energy Bites
Soaking the oats in hot water first makes each energy ball taste like a little bite of oatmeal. This also creates a different taste and texture than other energy bite recipes that use nut butter as the primary binding agent. Additionally, using water as the binding agent keeps the calorie content of this recipe much lower than other oat ball recipes.
If the hazelnut butter is too hard to mix in, microwave it for 30 seconds to make it easier to stir.
Don’t worry about overmixing the “dough”; it won’t affect the final texture!
If the mixture is too sticky, add more oats 2 Tablespoons at a time. If the mixture is too dry, add more hot water, 1 Tablespoon at a time.
Got kids? This is a very kid-friendly recipe! Have them help you measure, mix, and roll. The ingredients in this recipe can be eaten while cooking (because we all know that kids love to “taste test”), rolling is a great way to practice fine motor skills, and kids love getting their hands dirty!
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cinnamon: substitute pumpkin spice or apple pie spice.
- Vanilla: substitute almond extract.
- Oats: use old-fashioned or quick oats. Quick oats create a squishier texture and will be stickier when rolling. Do not use steel cut oats.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: use any variety you like. Choose natural varieties whenever possible. Don’t have chocolate hazelnut spread? Use a nut butter of your choosing and add 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder and 2 Tablespoons liquid sweetener. Got a nut allergy? Use a seed butter such as chocolate sunflower butter.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: use semi-sweet or dark if you can find them. You can substitute full size chocolate chips or chunks, and either leave them whole or chop them for more chocolate in each bite! Want a vegan chocolate energy bite? Choose dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Hazelnuts: substitute any chopped nuts – almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to add other mix-ins of your choosing: chia seeds, flax seeds, coconut flakes, etc. Keep in mind that adding more ingredients will change the texture of the recipe, so you may have to add more water or hazelnut butter to help the ingredients stick together.
Short on time or patience? You can turn this into a super quick energy bites recipe by skipping refrigerating the mixture. It will be slightly stickier, so be prepared to wash your hands a few more times.
Need some energy bites recipe inspiration?
Use our base recipe as a guide to make it your own, or check out some of our favorite energy ball variations!
Equipment Recommendations for Tasty Bites
Use these kitchen tools for this simple recipe!
Chocolate Oatmeal Energy Bites are a Healthy Snack
A healthy, well-balanced snack should contain some form of fiber, protein, and healthy fat. The oats and nut butter are the key ingredients in this recipe that make it the perfect snack.
Oats
Oats of any variety are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Carbohydrates are important for energy and focus.
Hazelnut Butter
Hazelnut butter contains plant-based protein and healthy fats. These nutrients help you feel satisfied until your next meal.
A Note on Added Sugars
Although our other energy bite recipes use a liquid sweetener, we left it out of this recipe because the hazelnut butter and chocolate chips add enough sweetness on their own! Try to find a hazelnut butter with less added sugar and fewer ingredients than traditional brands. We like Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter.
How to Store Homemade Energy Bites
These chocolate hazelnut energy bites are a great on-the-go snack because they do not have to be cold to eat. However, for food safety reasons, avoid leaving them in your bag or purse all day.
For optimal freshness, store the energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Do you love oats as much as we do?
Check out these other delicious oat recipes!
Apple Cinnamon Granola Clusters
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup hot water
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dash salt
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ½ cup chocolate hazelnut spread
- ¼ cup finely chopped, roasted hazelnuts
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix hot water, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl. Add oats to the mixture. Mix until all the water is absorbed.
- Add chocolate hazelnut spread, chopped hazelnuts, and chocolate chips and stir until well incorporated.
- Cover and refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes so they are easier to roll.
- Divide mixture into 1-inch balls (~2 Tablespoons) using a spoon or small portion scoop. Roll into balls.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!
