No Bake Nutella Energy Balls

Okay, imagine this: you want a snack that’s ridiculously easy, actually tastes like dessert, and gives you a little pep without needing the oven or a PhD in meal prep. Sound good? That’s exactly why I fell in love with No Bake Nutella Energy Balls—they hit the sweet spot between indulgence and practicality. I first mashed these together on a lazy Sunday when I’d run out of excuses and coffee, and now I make them every week. Want a similar twist using bananas? Check out this tasty banana bread energy balls I tried last month—same vibe, different hero ingredient.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No oven, no fuss — you mix, roll, and chill. Done.
• Nutella for the win — it gives chocolate-hazelnut flavor without complex pantry hunting.
• Balanced energy — oats, nuts, seeds, and a touch of honey deliver carbs, healthy fats, and protein.
• Perfect portion control — these make about 18–20 bite-sized balls, so you don’t accidentally demolish an entire batch in a single sad-movie session.
• Kid-approved and adult-worthy — hide them in lunches, snack bags, or your office secret stash.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to toss these together quickly. Yes, you’ll recognize most of this stuff in your pantry.

• 1 and 1/4 cups quick oats
• 2/3 cup Nutella
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt

How to Make (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps and you’ll have a jar of snackable joy in under 30 minutes. I promise the only heavy lifting involves stirring and rolling.

Prep your bowl and ingredients

Measure everything out and set it on the counter. I always toast the walnuts for a few minutes to add depth—optional, but worth it. Keeping everything ready saves time and keeps you from improvising questionable substitutions at the last second.H3: Combine all ingredients

Place the oats, Nutella, honey, shredded coconut, chopped walnuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Stir vigorously until the mixture looks uniform and slightly sticky. If the Nutella feels too firm, microwave it for 10 seconds to loosen it. Yes, that means I sometimes stealthily microwave Nutella at my desk. No shame.

Chill the mixture

Chill the bowl in the fridge for about 20–10 minutes. I know that phrasing looks backward, but what I mean is 10–20 minutes—just long enough to make the mixture easier to shape. Don’t skip this unless you like smearing Nutella all over your hands like a toddler.

Shape into balls

Shape the mixture into 1 to 1 and 1/2 inch balls using your hands. Keep a small bowl of water nearby to dampen your fingers if things get sticky. You’ll make about 18–20 balls depending on how precise you are. I never get precise, and that’s fine.

Store and enjoy

Place the balls in a covered container for up to a week at room temperature or put them in the fridge for up to a month. Seriously, the fridge batch lasts longer, but it also tempts you to eat them straight from the cold. I can neither confirm nor deny that I do this.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

• Use quick oats for the best texture; they bind nicely and keep the balls tender.
• Warm the Nutella slightly if it resists mixing. A few seconds in the microwave fixes stubborn spreads.
• Chop the walnuts finely if you want a smoother bite; leave them chunkier for crunch.
• Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey. Taste the raw mixture—yes, you can eat it—before rolling.
• Freeze for longer storage: flash-freeze on a tray, then bag them. They keep well for 2–3 months.
• Make them nut-free by swapping walnuts for roasted sunflower seeds if needed.

Fun Variations & Topping Ideas

Variations:

Yes, this is the part where I suggest the weird stuff because hey, creativity rules. Try these if you want to experiment—or if you accidentally opened the wrong cupboard.

• Add corn (yes, corn) for a surprising textural pop.
• Toss in crumbled sausage if you feel adventurous and want to confuse your taste buds.
• Use the mixture as a base for a loaded potato soup (I said “use as a base”—I don’t make the rules).

Okay, some of those are jokey (I told you I’d be sarcastic). The corn and sausage ideas are intentionally weird—try them only if you like culinary chaos.

Toppings:

Here are classic toppings that actually make sense and will not startle your guests:

• Bacon (crisped and crumbled)
• Shredded cheddar cheese (surprisingly good with a salty bite)
• Sliced green onions for freshness
• A dollop of sour cream for tang on top

If you want a safer bet, roll the balls in extra shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts. Those always work.

Storing and Reheating

• Room temperature: Store in a covered container for up to 1 week. Keep them away from heat or direct sunlight. They’ll get melty and sad.
• Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Chilled balls taste denser and satisfyingly firm.
• Freezer: Freeze on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They stay good for 2–3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before eating.
• Reheating: Microwave a single ball for 6–10 seconds if you want that warm, gooey center. Don’t overdo it—otherwise you’ll melt the balls into something that looks like a sad cookie puddle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use natural or homemade chocolate-hazelnut spread instead of Nutella?

Yes. Natural spreads work fine but may change texture and sweetness. You can adjust honey accordingly. I use homemade spreads when I want less sugar and more control.

Are these vegan or gluten-free?

They’re not automatically vegan because Nutella and honey usually contain animal-derived ingredients. Swap honey for maple syrup and use a certified gluten-free oat to make them gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Can I make these without nuts?

Yes. Replace walnuts with roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds. The texture will shift slightly, but the balls will still be delicious.

How do I prevent them from sticking together in storage?

Layer parchment between rows or separate them into single layers if you freeze them. That solves the sticky mass problem instantly.

Conclusion

These No Bake Nutella Energy Balls deliver flavor, convenience, and portion-friendly snacking with very little effort. You get the creamy chocolate-hazelnut goodness of Nutella, the hearty chew of oats and seeds, and the crunch of walnuts—all rolled into tiny packages that travel well and keep your hanger in check. Want another take on energy-ball recipes for variety? I found a fun alternative over at No-Bake Nutella Energy Balls | Woman Scribbles that complements this version nicely.

If you try these, leave a comment below and give the recipe a rating—tell me whether you’re team coconut or team extra-chocolate. Also, FYI: I will judge your topping choices, gently. 🙂