Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Oat Bites

Whip up these easy, gluten-free Peanut Butter Brownie Chocolate Oat Bites! Made with natural peanut butter, oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, and maple syrup, they’re a perfect on-the-go snack. Batch prep them for a delicious, energy-boosting treat that satisfies chocolate cravings and uses simple, wholesome ingredients.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Oat Bites on a parchment paper.

Looking for a quick, satisfying snack that’s not only packed with flavor but also made from simple, wholesome ingredients? My Peanut Butter Brownie Chocolate Oat Bites are the perfect solution. Made with gluten-free oats, natural peanut butter, chia seeds, peanuts, cocoa powder, and maple syrup, this recipe is one I turn to again and again. I’ve refined the method to make these energy bites easy to batch prep, so you can always have a healthier treat on hand when those sweet cravings hit. These bites are a staple in my kitchen because they’re family-approved, customizable, and a great alternative to store-bought snacks.

YouTube video

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites Recipe

  • Easy to make: These peanut butter chocolate oat bites come together in just minutes, with no baking required.
  • Wholesome ingredients: Made with natural peanut butter, oats, chia seeds, and maple syrup, this recipe is full of simple, clean ingredients.
  • Perfect for batch prep: Make a large batch and store them for whenever you need a quick, energy-boosting snack.
  • Satisfies sweet cravings: They offer a rich chocolate flavor while staying healthier than traditional brownies or energy bars.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Oat Bites on a parchment paper.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make peanut butter brownie energy bites with oats:

Quick Oats: You can use old-fashioned or quick oats. I prefer the smaller size of quick oats.

Maple Syrup: You can replace with honey, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup.

Peanut Butter: You can use creamy or crunchy natural, unsweetened peanut butter. You can also replace it with your favorite butter including almond butter, and cashew butter.

Cocoa Powder: You can you use your favorite cocoa powder.

Vanilla Extract: You can omit or replace it with half as much almond extract.

Chia Seeds: You can use white or black chia seeds. You can also omit them or replace with ground flax seed for a slightly different texture.

Mini Chocolate Chips: I like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips but you can use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or any chocolate chunks. Choose a dairy-free variety for a dairy-free option.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Oat Bites on a parchment paper.

How to Make My Peanut Butter Brownie Chocolate Oat Bites

Step 1. Grind the Oats

Add 1 cup of quick or old-fashioned oats into your food processor and pulse for a few seconds.

Adding wet ingredients to muffin batter.

Step 2. Add Remaining Ingredients

Add the maple syrup, peanut butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt, and chia seeds. Do not add the mini chocolate chips. You’ll add them in the next step, so they don’t get chopped down even smaller in the food processor.

Step 3. Mix

You can turn your food processor to speed 1 until all the ingredients are blended. While the ingredients are mixing, you should hear the processor starting to slow down a little as the mixture thickens. You want the mixture to begin forming a large ball. 

If a ball has not formed after about 30 seconds of mixing, add one tablespoon of additional oats at a time and continue to mix until the mixture is dry enough to form a ball.

Adding wet ingredients to muffin batter.

Step 4. Add More Chocolate

Scrape the mixture into a medium-sized mixing bowl with a sturdy spatula. Then pour in the chocolate chips. Mix by hand with the spatula until the chips are incorporated. The mixture will be very thick. I use a slicing motion with the spatula to push the chips into the dough.

Step 5. Scoop the Bites

Using a spoon or cookie dough scoop, spoon about one tablespoon of the mixture and begin rolling it between the palms of your hands to form a ball. Place the balls on a tray or directly into your storage container to enjoy whenever you need your chocolate fix.

Adding wet ingredients to muffin batter.

Step 6. Optional Toppings

You can enjoy the bites as is or take the chocolate peanut butter flavor up a notch—meltdown 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil. Add 1/3 cup of peanuts to your blender and blend until chopped fine. Dip your bite in the melted chocolate, then in the crushed peanuts. Place bites on a parchment paper lined tray until the chocolate is cooled. Depending on how impatient you are, you can speed up the cooling time by placing the tray in the fridge or freezer to cool quicker. 

Chocolate peanut butter brownie oat bites with crushed peanuts.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Oat Bites on a parchment paper.

Chocolate Brownie Peanut Butter Energy Ball Recipe Notes

Dough Consistency: You can test the moisture level of the energy bites by rolling a small amount in your hands. If it leaves sticky residue on your hands, then it needs more oats. If it doesn’t stick to your hands but holds it shape, then it’s just right 🙂

Chocolate Dipping: To minimize the excess sugar but still have a delicious, chocolatey bite, I like to dip only half of the bite in chocolate instead of the whole thing. This also makes the process go quicker with less mess.

Delicious Serving Suggestions

  • Midday snack: Enjoy a couple of bites as a quick pick-me-up during the day.
  • On-the-go breakfast: Pair with a piece of fruit for a portable, balanced breakfast.
  • Post-workout snack: These bites are a great source of energy after a workout.
  • Party treat: Serve them on a platter at gatherings for a healthier dessert option.
  • Kid-approved snack: Add some chocolate chips or sprinkles to make them more fun for kids.
  • Topping idea: Try crumbling them over yogurt or smoothie bowls for added texture and flavor.

Refrigeration: Since these healthy brownie bites contain ingredients like peanut butter and chocolate chips, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the ingredients from going rancid.

Freezing for Extended Shelf Life: If you want to extend the shelf life of your choclate energy bites, consider storing them in the freezer. This is especially useful if you’ve made a large batch and want to enjoy them over an extended period.

Use Airtight Containers: To prevent the protein bites from absorbing odors from the fridge or freezer and to keep them fresh, store them in airtight containers. This also helps maintain their texture.

Separate Layers with Parchment Paper: If you’re stacking the chocolate protein bites in the container, place parchment paper between the layers. This prevents them from sticking together and makes it easier to grab one without thawing the entire batch.

Quick Grab-and-Go Snacks: If you plan to grab these bites for a quick snack, store them in smaller portions or individual snack-sized bags. This makes it convenient to take them with you wherever you go.

Avoid Moisture: Moisture can affect the texture of the healthy protein bites. Ensure they are completely dry before storing them, and consider placing a moisture-absorbing packet in the container to prevent any unwanted moisture.

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
Yes, you can substitute old-fashioned oats for quick oats in this recipe. The texture may vary slightly, but it should still work well.

I don’t have a food processor. Can I mix the ingredients by hand?
While a food processor is recommended for a smoother blend, you can mix the ingredients by hand. Ensure they are well combined for the best results.

How can I make the healthy protein bites less sweet?
Adjust the quantity of maple syrup or choose a sugar-free alternative to control the sweetness according to your preference.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture. The choice between creamy and crunchy is a personal preference.

Can I customize the recipe with additional ingredients?
Absolutely! Feel free to add nuts, dried fruits, or other mix-ins of your choice to personalize the flavor and texture of these healthy chocolate energy bites.

Can I make these easy chocolate bites ahead of time for meal prep?
Yes, these protein bites are great for meal prep. Prepare a batch, store them in the refrigerator or freezer, and grab them as needed for a convenient and nutritious snack.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Oat Bites on a parchment paper.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Oat Bites Recipe

Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
Whip up these easy, gluten-free Peanut Butter Brownie Chocolate Oat Bites! Made with natural peanut butter, oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, and maple syrup, they’re a perfect on-the-go snack. Batch prep them for a delicious, energy-boosting treat that satisfies chocolate cravings and uses simple, wholesome ingredients.
5 from 5 votes
Servings 24
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Add 1 cup of quick or old-fashioned oats into your food processor and pulse for a few seconds.
  • Add the maple syrup, peanut butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt, and chia seeds. Do not add the mini chocolate chips. You’ll add them in the next step, so they don’t get chopped down even smaller in the food processor.
  • You can turn your food processor to speed 1 until all the ingredients are blended. While the ingredients are mixing, you should hear the processor starting to slow down a little as the mixture thickens. You want the mixture to begin forming a large ball. 
  • If a ball has not formed after about 30 seconds of mixing, add one tablespoon of additional oats at a time and continue to mix until the mixture is dry enough to begin forming a ball.
  • Scrape the mixture into a medium-sized mixing bowl with a sturdy spatula. Then pour in the chocolate chips. Mix by hand with the spatula until the chips are incorporated. The mixture will be very thick. I use a slicing motion with the spatula to push the chips into the dough.
  • Using a spoon or cookie dough scoop, spoon about one tablespoon of the mixture and begin rolling it between the palms of your hands to form a ball. Place the balls on a tray or directly into your storage container to enjoy whenever you need your chocolate fix.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Dough Consistency: You can test the moisture level of the energy bites by rolling a small amount in your hands. If it leaves sticky residue on your hands, then it needs more oats. If it doesn’t stick to your hands but holds it shape, then it’s just right 🙂
Chocolate Dipping: To minimize the excess sugar but still have a delicious, chocolatey bite, I like to dip only half of the bite in chocolate instead of the whole thing. This also makes the process go quicker with less mess.

Nutrition

Calories: 24kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 9gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.001gSodium: 50mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 0.1IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
Keyword bite, brownie, chia seeds, chocolate, gluten free, naturally sweetened, peanut butter, protein powder
Did you make this recipe and love it?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂

9 Comments

  1. Thank you for this easy and yummy recipe!! I made a double batch and have them in my freezer. I used crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy and they are delish! I can’t wait to make more of your recipes!

  2. These are delicious (even without chocolate chips) and so fast and easy to make! The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites are yummy, too. Any chance you can add nutritional info to your recipes?

    1. Hi Diane,
      I’m so glad you liked them! I always keep a batch in my fridge 🙂 You’re in luck…I was working on installing nutrition facts in my recipes. They are visible now on this recipe. I will have all my recipes updated in the next day or two.

      1. Thank you, Nicole, very helpful. I pulled these and the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites out of the freezer at a family gathering when I hadn’t planned an ‘official’ dessert and they were a hit! Everyone wanted more! Your website and YouTube channel are now ‘go-to’ sites when I’m looking for new recipes/ideas. Thank you so much for sharing your delicious and nutritious creations . . .

5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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