Monster Cookie Energy Balls
Updated July 15, 2026
Quick Summary
These Monster Cookie Energy Balls are an easy no-bake snack made with peanut butter, oats, protein powder, mini chocolate chips, and M&M’s. They taste just like a monster cookie, but they’re packed with protein and perfect for breakfast, lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or whenever you need a quick energy boost.
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It’s no secret that I am a cookie monster. I LOVE cookies, especially Monster Cookies and Monster Cookie Bars.
I also love Monster Cookie Energy Balls. These easy no-bake protein balls taste just like monster cookies, but are a healthy little treat. They only take 10 minutes to make and are the perfect bite size snack.
The ingredients are simple and the balls are so colorful and fun! Kids and adults go crazy for these healthy bites. I always tell the boys I am making them energy balls, but I think I eat as many as they do, ha!
I eat one almost every day after lunch, when I need a little sweet pick me up! They are also good for breakfast on the go, after a workout, a quick snack, or late night dessert.
You can also pack them up and take them on hikes, picnics, or road trips!
The next time you are craving something sweet, make Monster Cookie Energy Balls. They always hit the spot.
Ingredients (with Helpful Notes)
The ingredients are simple, fun, and will remind you of your favorite monster cookies.
- Peanut butter– Make sure you use a creamy, drippy peanut butter. I like natural peanut butter, just peanuts and salt. Stir it really well before measuring. Costco’s organic peanut butter is my favorite.
- Honey– to sweeten things up a bit and to help the mixture stick together.
- Vanilla extract– a splash!
- Oats– I use old fashioned oats, but quick oats will work too.
- Protein powder– I add a scoop of vanilla protein powder (this vanilla is good too) for an extra boost of protein. Use your favorite brand or swap in collagen powder. Make sure you like the taste because it will affect the taste of the energy balls. And you can make the balls without protein powder, just add in extra oats.
- Flaky sea salt– I love adding sea salt to my cookies and energy balls! The sweet and salty combo is so good!
- Mini chocolate chips & Mini M&M’s– I prefer miniature chocolate chips and M&M’s for the protein balls, but if you can’t find them, regular size will work! And if you don’t have M&M’s, just use all chocolate chips.
How to Make
You only need 10 minutes! These are the easiest and most delicious snack ever!
- Mix the base. Stir together the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until smooth. Add the oats, protein powder, and sea salt, mixing until everything is well combined.
- Add the fun stuff. Fold in the mini chocolate chips and M&M’s. If the mixture feels a little dry, add a teaspoon or two of water.
- Roll and chill. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if you’d like, then refrigerate until you’re ready to snack!
Tips for the Best Energy Balls
Use creamy, well-stirred natural peanut butter. If the peanut butter is dry or thick, the mixture won’t hold together as well.
Adjust the texture if needed. Every protein powder absorbs moisture differently, so add a teaspoon of water if the mixture feels crumbly.
Use a small cookie scoop. It makes evenly sized energy balls and speeds up rolling.
Chill before serving. They firm up in the refrigerator and develop the best texture.
Double the batch. They disappear quickly and freeze beautifully.
How to Store
I love having a stash in the fridge or freezer at ALL times!
- Place the energy balls in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- You can also freeze the balls for up to 2 months. To freeze, place balls on a baking sheet or platter and freeze for 30 minutes or until solid. Remove from the freezer and place in freezer bag or freezer container.
- To serve, you can let them thaw at room temperature for 20 minutes or eat straight from the freezer. They are just as good frozen:)
Monster Cookie Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter*
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 scoop protein powder*
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons mini M&M’s
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir with a spatula until smooth.
- Add the oats, protein powder, and sea salt; stir until well combined. If the mixture is a little dry, you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water. Stir in the chocolate chips and M&M’s.
- Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 tablespoon per ball. You can also use a cookie scoop to form the balls.
- You can sprinkle the tops with a little flaky sea salt, if desired. Place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Make sure you use a creamy, drippy peanut butter. Costco’s natural peanut butter is my favorite. If your peanut butter is thicker, you can add just a little bit of water to help the mixture come together, if necessary.
- Use your favorite protein powder. I like vanilla, but chocolate works too! 1 scoop is about ⅓ cup. You can also use collagen powder.
- If you can’t find mini M&M’s or mini chocolate chips, you can use regular.
- You can easily double this recipe!
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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Variations
- Use almond butter or cashew butter instead of peanut butter.
- Add ground flaxseed or chia seeds.
- Stir in shredded coconut.
- Use mini peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips.
- Swap M&M’s for chopped peanuts or raisins.
- Make them nut-free with sunflower seed butter.
- If you can’t find M&M’s, it’s ok to use all chocolate chips.
When to Enjoy
These protein-packed energy balls are perfect for:
- A quick breakfast on busy mornings
- Lunchboxes
- After-school snacks
- Pre- or post-workout fuel
- Afternoon pick-me-ups
- Road trips and hikes
- A healthier dessert when you’re craving something sweet
What size is the protein scoop you use to add to the recipe? I have found that not all protein scoops are equal!
1 tablespoon, you can make them bigger or smaller!
Hi, those look so yummy!!! Quick question , the nutritional facts at the bottom of the recipe is for one energy ball?
Yes!
They turned out delicious and so easy to make! Perfect grab and go snack. Thanks!
I am so glad you loved them. They are almost TOO easy, ha!
Looks great! How much protein powder do you use? Some scoops are huge, some are only about a tablespoon?
The scoop I use is probably 3 tablespoons.
These are the best energy balls I’ve ever made/tasted. I use vegan vanilla protein powder, and these taste like cookie dough!
This makes me so happy! Thanks for sharing! They are my favorite too.
These are amazing! It was hard to stop at one. I got 13 tablespoon-sized balls from the recipe, and they were still good size. I will make these all the time now!
I have been giving you many days. Your post is very beautiful
I want to try making these. Would almond butter work as a substitute for the peanut butter?
Yes!
I love these! Thank you for the recipe. The protein scoop I use holds about 23 grams of protein powder which looks to be slightly less than what you use. However, my dough always turns out a little dry, even after adding the teaspoons of water that you recommend. Do you have any other suggestions for helping the dough to come together? If I add too much water (more than what you recommend) I notice it in the overall taste of the balls. I use the same Costco brand peanut butter that you mention.
Stir your peanut butter really well. It might be the brand of protein you are using. You can add a little less oats or add a little more honey.
Could I use PB fit as a substitute for the peanut butter?
It might be too dry, but I haven’t tried it.
These are delish! They were a huge hit with my work peeps too!
Making another double batch for everyone this week!
Thanks so much for the recipe!
Yay! I am so glad everyone loved them!
My son loves these!
He’s 20 and works out a lot and is rather on the lean side, so he needs all the protein he can pack in.
This recipe is easy and all the ingredients were in my pantry and come together nicely.
I got 24+1 extra smaller ball, doubling the recipe and using a small cookie scoop.
Will be making these again
My boys love them too!
These are fantastic…Tasted exactly like cookie dough
They are so good!
Kid fav! Thx. I just wanted to make a note bc I read a comment on dryness. I had some less than stellar PB left over from holiday cookies and my batter was really dry. I melted a few tablespoons of coconut oil, added, and the consistency was perfect and rolled into balls really nicely. Try that if your PB is not the perfect drippy consistency. Thx for the recipe.
Thank you for sharing! Yes, you need a good creamy/drippy peanut butter! Costco’s Organic PB is my favorite!
Love them! I’m just a bit confused so are there 142 Cals in each protein ball??
Do your monster protein balls need to be refrigerated ?
Yes!
This is a quick easy to make snack, breakfast or pick me up. It definitely ends the craving for peanut butter and chocolate!! Will definitely make these again. They have become a favorite.
I am so glad you love them Jody! I love having them in the fridge.
I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve made this recipe. I just finished a 6x batch, half in the freezer for next time (otherwise they’ll all get eaten in a flash!). I have teen athletes and they love these as a pre-practice or pre-game snack. Thanks for sharing this great versatile & easy recipe that is loved and on repeat at our house!!
Wow, that is a big batch! Way to go! I am so glad you love the recipe!
This is my go to protein ball recipe. I always add chia seed, and they still turn out great! Thank you for making and sharing such yummy recipes!
I add chia sometimes too! Glad you love the recipe!
my kids looove these!
My boys love them too!
I’ve tried several different recipes for similar energy balls, and these are definitely the best, and so easy to make! My son loves them. Thanks for the recipe!
I think they are the best too:)
Maria- I made these with cookie butter instead of peanut butter and OMG they were so good. Thanks for the great recipes as always.
YUM!