Monster cookie balls are made with hearty oats, peanut butter, agave, mini chocolate chips, and M&M’s plus either collagen or protein powder if you want to make them monster protein balls. These no-bake energy balls are delicious and easy to make. Plus, the mini M&Ms and chocolate chips gives us the signature monster cookie look and taste!
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With the holidays behind us, some of us think we need to start eating fewer sweets and treats.
I am not some people.
I like to think about how I can make healthy versions of sweets and treats!
Why not indulge in just a little bit more deliciousness while keeping things healthy and high in protein?
Monster protein balls are similar to chewy monster cookies except we’re using agave to sweeten them up and we’re adding protein powder (if you want – if you just want monster cookie balls, go for it!) So, if you’re a fan of monster cookies, you’ll love these!
These no-bake monster balls are made with a few simple ingredients including old-fashioned oats, peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, and mini M&M’s.
They’re full of protein which is a great way to start the day. I also like to have them ready to serve as an afternoon snack or after-school snack or to pack for a post-workout treat.
These monster cookie balls are incredibly delicious, good for you, and look pretty enough to join any dessert tray right next to brownie balls and old fashioned 7 layer bars!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. With just 6 ingredients, all it takes is combining everything, scooping, rolling, and chilling. Seriously, that’s it!
- Simple, flexible ingredients. You can make substitutions if you need to. Use a different nut butter, swap chocolate chips with cacao nibs, and use your favorite protein powder, you name it.
- Similar to monster cookies. Everyone loves colorful, chunky, and chewy monster cookies. Now you can make a healthier version with these monster cookie protein balls anytime you want. No baking is required!
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Old-fashioned oats – I like the texture of old-fashioned oats. You can use instant or quick oats, but because they absorb liquid faster, and they’re generally softer, they won’t give you the same coarse texture.
- Peanut butter – creamy or chunky it’s up to you. For best results, I use commercially processed peanut butter for these because I find it holds better and doesn’t separate like natural peanut butter.
- Protein powder – collagen powder or vanilla protein powder is what I use for the health benefits and flavor. Use what you normally use, as long as it’s unflavored, vanilla, or chocolate. Anything else might alter the taste of monster cookie energy bites.
- Agave syrup – a very sweet, lightly caramel-flavored alternative to sugar. It does have a high fructose level, so if you’re worried about that, try honey or pure maple syrup instead.
- Mini chocolate chips and mini M&Ms – for the signature add-ins to any good monster cookie recipe!
How to make monster cookie balls
Making these monster protein balls is about as easy as can be. I said it before but it’s literally just mixing, scooping, and chilling!
1 – Mix the Ingredients
- Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together using a spatula or wooden spoon until the ingredients are fully combined.
Note!
I know some people like to mix their protein ball mixture in a food processor but for these particular monster cookie balls, I highly recommend mixing by hand so you don’t accidentally break up the mini M&Ms and chocolate chips into pieces!
2 – Scoop and Chill
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop dough and place the monster cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet (don’t shape into balls yet – they won’t hold their shape).
- Place the baking sheet with all of the no bake monster cookie energy bites in the fridge to chill for two hours.
3 – Roll and Serve
- Remove the baking sheet from the fridge once chilled.
- Carefully roll each scoop of cookie dough into a ball so you have monster cookie balls instead of monster cookie dough!
- Serve immediately or place the monster cookie energy balls into an airtight container and back into the fridge to enjoy later!
Tips & Storage Info
Cover and store. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Avoid using natural peanut butter. It won’t provide the same chewy, moist consistency you want. It’ll dry the monster protein balls out and make them crumbly.
Try a different nut butter. If you have a peanut allergy, try another kind of nut butter, think about cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or pumpkin seed butter.
I do recommend keeping them in the fridge, despite them being good at room temperature. They are much tastier when eaten cold!
Prevent stickiness. If you find the balls are sticky when trying to roll them, you can spray your hands with a little cooking spray.
Recipe FAQs
How many monster protein balls does this make?
You should get 24 monster cookie balls from this recipe if you use a medium cookie scoop.
Can I freeze monster protein balls?
Sure you can freeze these monster cookie bals! I suggest flash-freezing them first so they don’t stick together. Place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer and place them in the freezer until they are solid (about 30 minutes). Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to 2 months.
Are monster protein balls gluten-free?
They are! The only thing you’ll want to make sure of is to check for certification on the oats and the peanut butter.
More Easy Snacks
If you like quick and easy snacks, try one of these snack recipes next!
- Homemade Chex Mix – this isn’t quite so healthy but it sure is delicious!
- Rocky road protein balls – these are the perfect snack if you’re craving chocolate but are watching your nutrition!
- Fruit salsa – a healthy dip that’s a sweet alternative to the normal chips and salsa!
- Soft pretzel bites – a homemade version of my kids’ favorite Auntie Anne pretzels! Try them with salt, cinnamon sugar, or one of the other flavor toppings!
- Candied nuts – grab a handful when you’re craving something sweet!
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Monster Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup peanut butter creamy or crunchy
- 1 scoop collagen or vanilla protein powder
- ½ cup agave syrup or honey
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup Mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together using a spatula or wooden spoon until the ingredients are fully combined.2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 scoop collagen or vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup agave syrup, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/3 cup Mini M&Ms
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop dough and place the monster cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill for 2 hours.
- Remove the baking sheet from the fridge and carefully roll each scoop of cookie dough into a ball.
- Serve immediately or place the monster cookie energy balls into an airtight container and back into the fridge to enjoy later!
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