Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Calling all cookie dough lovers! These peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough balls will melt in your mouth. They take less than 15 minutes to make and are easy to prepare-no baking required!

These no-bake cookie dough balls are the ideal treat for anyone craving something sweet without going overboard. The only added sugars come from a small amount of honey and chocolate chips. These treats make the perfect snack or dessert option. I love to keep these in my freezer so that they last longer and snack on them after a hard workout!

Are Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls Safe to Eat?

Often a big concern about eating raw cookie dough is that it contains raw eggs, which puts the consumer at risk for food borne illness, in particular salmonella. These chocolate chip cookie balls are specifically made without eggs, to reduce the risk of salmonella.

This recipe does contain oatmeal that has not been cooked. If concerned about eating raw oat, it is recommended to toast the oatmeal prior to grinding into oat flour. This can be done by spreading a cup of old-fashioned oatmeal on a sheet pan and baking at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent burning. Once the oatmeal has been toasted, place it in the food processor or blender and pulse to create oat flour.

Are Cookie Dough Balls Healthy?

Here's the nutritional breakdown of these cookie dough balls:

• Peanut butter: the peanut butter provides a healthy fat source and a small amount of protein
• Ground oat flour: ground oat flour is used in place of regular flour to make these treats gluten free. Oat flour is also a healthy source of carbohydrate and has many vitamins and minerals.
• These treats contain 165 calories and 3.5 grams of protein per serving.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls?

Chocolate chip cookie dough balls can be frozen for up to three months. Store the cookie dough balls in an air tight container or freezer zip lock bag. These cookie dough balls have the best flavor and texture when consumed cold. Prior to consuming any frozen cookie dough balls, let the treat sit out at room temperature for about 20 minutes so that it can defrost, yet is still cold when consumed.

How to Make Oat Flour

Oat flour can be purchased from the store. It is typically found in the health food sections of most stores. Oat flour can be rather expensive however, so I always recommend making oat flour yourself!

To make homemade oat flour, place 1 cup of oatmeal in a food processor or a blender (I use the magic bullet blender). Pulse until the oats are finely ground. You may have to stop the blender, stir oats with a spoon and then pulse again. The end product should resemble a flour with a fine consistency. No large pieces of oats should be visible.

Ingredients Needed For Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

• Oat Flour
  Oat flour can be purchased from the store or a homemade version can be used (see above for directions). A benefit of using oat flour is that it's gluten free. It also provides a slightly nutty-rich flavor to the end product.
• Peanut Butter
  Use creamy peanut butter to create a smooth texture for the cookie dough balls. The peanut butter can be softened in the microwave for about 10 seconds if concerned the mixture being difficult to stir. Do not over heat, as this will cause the chocolate chips to melt when they are mixed with the peanut butter.
• Honey
  Honey provides a small amount of sweetness. Feel free to increase the amount of honey if a sweeter texture is desired. Agave nectar can also be used in place of honey.
• Canola Oil
  Canola oil adds a source of healthy fats. Do not use olive oil, as it has a very strong taste and will make the cookie dough balls taste odd.
• Chocolate Chips
  I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, however dark- chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips will work.

Let's make some chocolate chip cookie dough balls!

STEP 1:
Combine oat flour, peanut butter, honey and oil in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth.
TIP: To make it easier to get peanut butter out of the measuring cup, spray the measuring cup lightly with pan prior to adding in the peanut butter.

STEP 2:
Add in chocolate chips. Mix until combined.

STEP 3:
Scoop cookie mixture by rounded tablespoons onto parchment paper. Roll into balls. If dough is too sticky, place in the refrigerator for 1 hour and then roll into balls.

STEP 4:
Store in the refrigerator. Serve cold.

Check out these other tasty treats!

• Gingerbread energy balls are a healthy & easy snack!
• Healthy homemade granola is a perfect on the go snack!
• Cheesecake fruit salad is the perfect healthy side dish or dessert!