Nutella Energy Balls
These Nutella Energy Balls are the perfect snack—packed with hazelnut flavor, a touch of chocolate, and wholesome ingredients. Simple, delicious, and kid-approved!
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Picture this: it’s mid-afternoon, and you’re craving a snack that satisfies your sweet tooth but doesn’t derail your day. Enter Nutella Energy Balls!
With their creamy hazelnut flavor, rich chocolatey goodness, and wholesome ingredients, they’re like little bites of joy. Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to whip up, making them perfect for busy weeks or a quick energy boost on the go.
Healthy + Delicious are My Favorite Ingredients!
I know, I know! Health and delicious are not ingredients, but you get my point. When I can marry those two concepts, it’s a great day!
These Nutella Energy Balls check off all the boxes. The combination of dairy-free hazelnut butter and chocolate chips mimics the iconic Nutella flavor while keeping things wholesome. Oats add texture and slow-digesting carbs, while maple syrup provides just the right amount of sweetness.
What makes these little treats truly special is their nutritional profile—packed with fiber from the oats, healthy fats from the hazelnut butter, and antioxidants from the chocolate. They’re the perfect balance of indulgence and nourishment!
Rolled into bite-sized portions, they’re soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible. Plus, they’re incredibly convenient to grab on your way out the door, toss in a lunchbox, or enjoy as a pre-workout boost when you need sustained energy.
Bonus: No baking is required! Ready to whip up a batch? The full recipe is below!
Ingredients & Substitutions
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Hazelnut Butter: The star of the show! You can find it near the nut butters in most grocery stores, or make dairy-free hazelnut butter by blending roasted hazelnuts.
- Oats: Rolled oats are best for this recipe as they add a hearty texture. For a smoother bite, we’ll pulse them in a food processor before mixing.
- Maple Syrup: Adds natural sweetness without overpowering the flavors. Agave or honey (if not vegan) can be swapped in.
- Vanilla Extract: A little goes a long way to elevate the overall flavor.
- Optional Add-ins: Mini chocolate chips, crushed hazelnuts, or shredded coconut make fun variations!
Nutella Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup medjool dates , pitted (around 8 large dates)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup vegan nutella
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- Optional: Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Combine oats, dates, and maple syrup in a food processor and pulse until broken down into a coarse meal.
- Nutella: Add hazelnut butter, ground flax, and vanilla extract. Blend in short bursts until a sticky dough forms.
- Assess the batter: If the mixture is too dry, add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup; if too wet, add a teaspoon of ground flax. If you'd like a bit more sweetness, stir in another tablespoon of maple syrup.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in chocolate chips.
- Roll into balls: Scoop out about 1-2 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll into bite-sized balls. For easier rolling, you can chill the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
- Chill and store: Place the energy balls in an airtight container and refrigerate for 1 hour for the best texture. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Recommended Equipment
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Notes
Tips and Variations
- Protein Boost: Add a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder if you’d like a higher-protein snack. You may need to add a bit more pumpkin puree or nut butter if the dough becomes too dry.
- Coating Option: Roll the energy balls in crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or extra pumpkin pie spice for an added crunch and/or flavor.
- Nut-Free: For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter in place of almond butter.
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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About the Author
Hi! I’m Marly McMillen. I’m the founding editor, author, recipe developer, vegan home chef, and food stylist behind Namely Marly. I’m so grateful to you and every member of my audience for your support and dedication. More about Namely Marly ›
2 Responses to Nutella Energy Balls
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If you like Nutella these are awesome!
So glad you love these!