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Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Snacks

10-Minute Chocolate Cookie Balls

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Mar 3, 2025 | Published: May 16, 2015
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These 10-minute no-bake chocolate cookie balls use just 6 wholesome ingredients for an easy, tasty snack that's also gluten-free and vegan!

A colorful plate with round chocolate oatmeal cookie balls.


 

We are talking easy, healthy snacks today! Cause I've got some serious snackers in my house - myself included!

Sometimes we make our healthier no-bake cookie bars or no-bake chocolate chip cookie balls or creamy peanut butter yogurt dip for fruit and pretzels

And these super easy, 10-minute chocolate cookie balls make an awesome snack for kids and adults alike!

They are rich and chocolatey, dense and chewy and perfect for packing in a lunchbox or taking on the go.

M loves to ask for them for snack and help me make them because she knows she won't have to wait long. She's almost 4 and while I've got quite a few years on her, I'm not much more patient.

She also knows she might get to sneak an extra scoop straight from the pan (just be careful it's not too hot) so she's happy to help - she's no dummy

Chocolate cookie balls overhead shot on colorful plate with bowl of strawberries beside

And all you need is 6 simple ingredients. You've probably got everything in your pantry already - I usually do.

Admittedly, that’s dangerous information there. They are almost too easy to make...

But with just real food ingredients and are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, so there’s really nothing to feel bad about.

In fact, I’ve been known to sneak one for breakfast. It’s good to be a grown up

A hand picking up a chocolate cookie ball from a plate and a bowl of strawberries in the background.
A hand holding a chocolate oat cookie ball that's had a bite taken out of it.

Ingredient Notes & Tips:

  • Oats: I use old fashioned rolled oats because that's what I always have on hand, but you could use quick cooking oats too.
  • Maple syrup: I use pure maple syrup for mine but you could try them with honey or agave as well.
  • Peanut butter: You can substitute almond or cashew butter for the peanut butter if you prefer. (I've done this before so I could send one to her nut-free school.)
  • Kids can definitely help make these! They can stir in the pan and help roll the balls once they've cooled.
  • It helps to wet your hands with a little water before you roll these into balls. It keeps them from completely sticking to you. (You'll still get messy but that's half the fun!)
  • Storage: You can store these cookie balls in a covered container the fridge for up to a week.

Quick, easy and wholesome - that's my kind of snack! Plus, well, chocolate. Duh!

Oh, these are also gluten-free and vegan.

Chocolate cookie balls arranged on a plate with a hand reaching for one.

Hope you give these a try soon.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. We love using these little storage cubes to pack our chocolate cookie balls for school or an on-the-go snack.

Close up of round chocolate oat cookie balls lined up on a red colorful plate.
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4.54 from 26 votes

10-Minute Chocolate Cookie Balls

These 10-minute no-bake chocolate cookie balls use just 6 wholesome ingredients for an easy, tasty snack that's also gluten-free and vegan!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Yield: 10 -12 cookie balls

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • ⅓ cup soy milk, regular would be fine, too
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups oats, I use old-fashioned oats

Instructions

  • Combine the maple syrup, milk and cocoa powder in a small pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add peanut butter and stir until it’s melted and combined.
  • Turn off the heat then add the vanilla and oats and stir to combine.
  • Let cool then roll into balls. (Wet your hands with some water to help them roll without sticking to you.)
  • Once completely cooled, store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Oats: I use old fashioned rolled oats because that’s what I always have on hand, but you could use quick cooking oats too.
Maple syrup: I use maple syrup for mine but you could try them with honey or agave.
Peanut butter: You can substitute almond or cashew butter for the peanut butter if you prefer or if you need them to be nut-free. (I've done this when my kids had a nut-free classroom.)
Storing: You can store these cookie balls in a covered container in the fridge for up to a week.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 31mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile

    July 09, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    How deliciously healthy! And yet it would definitely feel like you're eating dessert. I'm with you on sneaking one for breakfast!! Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party! Have a great weekend. xx

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      July 09, 2015 at 11:04 pm

      Thanks, Lucy! They are so yummy (any time of day!) I'm so excited to contribute to the Fabulous Foodie Fridays party -- it's my first time -- and to check out all the other delicious submissions. Happy (almost) Friday!

      Reply
  2. Gretta

    July 10, 2015 at 12:38 am

    Oh yum these look and sound great! I love that they simple ingredients that I always have in the cupboard. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      July 11, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Thanks Gretta! I'm with you - it's great to have such an easy snack to throw together with pantry basics! Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  3. Lauren @ Create Bake Make

    July 16, 2015 at 12:07 am

    Yum! What a yummy yet easy recipe to put together - best of all I have all of these ingredients in my pantry!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      July 16, 2015 at 9:21 am

      Thanks Lauren! They are a definite go-to for us around here - fast, easy and we've always got the goods to make them! Gets me in trouble sometimes... 😉

      Reply
  4. Lauren @ Create Bake Make

    August 27, 2015 at 6:18 am

    These really are dangerous, we've made them twice!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 27, 2015 at 8:21 pm

      Haha, they are addictive! And easy enough to whip up any (ie ALL the) time! (And oops- didn't mean to post them twice at the party! Didn't check my notes carefully enough.)

      Reply
  5. Lizzie {Strayed Table}

    August 28, 2015 at 4:41 am

    Ah these are going to be perfect for my 30 day challenge that I am starting in a couple of days. Thanks for the recipe. Stopping by from Fabulous Foodie Friday.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 28, 2015 at 8:53 am

      Thanks Lizzie! And good luck with the challenge!

      Reply
  6. Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages

    August 30, 2015 at 7:42 am

    I love a sweet treat that I can make quickly and enjoy whenever I want to. Perfect. Dropping by from #FFF

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks Malinda! They are so quick and so fun to gobble up!

      Reply
  7. Susan

    October 29, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    You should rename them Little Balls of Heaven! I love the simplicity of these adorable little darlings. I am going to make a batch this weekend. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      October 30, 2015 at 8:57 am

      They are pretty cute! And oh so pop-able 🙂 Hope you love them! Have a great weekend~

      Reply
  8. Heaven

    October 29, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    This is my kind of treat! Pinning. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      October 30, 2015 at 8:59 am

      Healthy, fast and chocolate - my kind of treat, too! (And I'm following you on Pinterest, too!) Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  9. Heaven

    October 29, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    P.S. Following on Pinterest. I love good family food!

    Reply
  10. Meaghan

    November 02, 2015 at 11:45 am

    These sound yummy (and easy). Thanks for bringing theM To Throwback Thursday #12!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      November 03, 2015 at 9:51 am

      They really are both yummy and oh so easy! Basic, healthy ingredients and 10 minutes. My kind of snack! Thanks for hosting such a fun party!

      Reply
  11. Celeste

    June 15, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    I can't wait to make these with my kids!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      June 15, 2017 at 5:56 pm

      Yay! I hope you all love them Celeste!

      Reply
  12. Violeta

    May 03, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    I can't wait to make these with my mom! she will definitely love them! You're awesome, Kathryn! I will recommend you and this site to everyone I know!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 04, 2018 at 2:53 pm

      Aww, thank you so much Violeta! ❤️ I hope you love these chocolate cookie balls - they are a favorite in our house!

      Reply
  13. sally

    May 06, 2022 at 11:06 am

    how much does this recipe make?

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty

      May 06, 2022 at 11:20 am

      Hi there! The yield listed in the recipe card is 10-12 balls; it depends on how big you make them. Hope that helps and hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
      • Sally

        May 06, 2022 at 11:26 am

        Thank you so much!!!

        Reply
4.54 from 26 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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