Get in a boost of caffeine with these Dirty Chai Energy Balls. Rolled oats and your favorite nut butter are the primary ingredients, so no food processor needed! Gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
Yes, we are going there… chai + espresso= DIRTY CHAI.
And we are putting this traditional coffee drink in BALL FORM. Because everything is better in (snack) balls…
.
.
.
Right???
I don’t know. But I do love coffee… I also have a love for all things chai. And with energy balls being one of the best snacks around, I thought why not marry the two? Okay I guess technically we’re marrying three things but you get the point.
Hopefully you love your coffee and spices as much as I do because these dirty chai energy balls have been my favorite these past couple weeks!
Dirty Chai Energy Balls
I’ve been using these guys as a little pre-workout snack for my morning classes at FLEXcity Fitness
While we’re on the topic of workouts… any AM exercisers out there? I’ve noticed no matter what I’ve got going on the rest of the day, when I start my morning with a workout, I am in such a better mood! I just feel so good after sweating within a couple hours of waking up. The classes I’ve been heading to are at 8am, so really not bad for waking up. However I am contemplating switching to the 6am class… Call me crazy, but I did about 8 weeks of 6am classes a couple winters ago. Even though I was up at 5am because of the commute (and yes, it kind of sucked in the moment), on those days I would still walk into the office with a positive attitude, ready to take on the day. The endorphins are REAL, my friends. If you have the ability and/or flexibility in your schedule to start making morning workouts a routine, I truly suggest you give it a shot. It might be hard at first, but I think you’d be surprised at the positive effect it can on the rest of your day.
Okay, back to other topic we must talk about today. BALLS.
Dirty Chai Energy Balls, that is.
Ingredients Needed for Dirty Chai Energy Balls
- rolled oats
- nut butter (chai spiced, for extra points)
- sticky sweetener (honey, brown rice syrup or similar consistency)
- espresso powder
- chai spices (I made my own, recipe below)
- cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips
- vanilla extract (not entirely necessary but recommended for more flavor)
All you need is one bowl, a spatula or large spoon to stir, and some muscle power.
How to make Dirty Chai Energy Balls
Then it’s just mixing all of those ingredients in a bowl, adding in the honey or brown rice syrup plus nut or seed butter, then working everything together until all of the ingredients are combined. I pop the mixture in the freezer for about 10 minutes which makes for easier ball rolling.
Notes about the recipe
ESPRESSO – I’ve made these a couple times now and played around with the amount of espresso powder used. The first time I did 2 TBS, which I thought was a little heavy. But if you LOVE espresso or black coffee, you may want that much. The second time around I did about 1 TBS plus 1 teaspoon and thought that was a good amount.
OR guess what? If you don’t like coffee but really love chai, just leave it out.
CHAI FLAVOR – Same goes for the chai-haters. If you’re not a fan of cardamom and all that jazz, you can leave out a majority of the spices but I would recommend leaving some cinnamon to balance out the bold espresso taste. 🙂
PROTEIN BOOST – I opted not to add protein powder to these chai energy balls. If you think you want to add a scoop or two, you will likely need to compensate by adding a couple tablespoons (or possibly more) of liquid. I haven’t tested this myself yet, but I would love to hear from you if you do!
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Dirty Chai Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 18-20 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
Energy Balls
- 1 1/4 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 TBS espresso powder (use 1/2 TBS for less flavor, or up to 1.5 TBS for stronger taste)
- 1 TBS chia seeds
- 1/2 cup creamy natural nut or seed butter (I used homemade)
- 1/3 cup honey or brown rice syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 TBS cacao nibs (or mini chocolate chips)
homemade chai spice blend
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp all spice
- 1/8 ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine oats, chai spice blend, espresso powder, chia seeds and cacao nibs/ mini chocolate chips..
- Add in nut butter, honey or brown rice syrup, and vanilla extract. Use sturdy spatula or spoon to combine.
- Once ingredients have come together, place bowl in freezer for about 10 minutes (or fridge for 20 minutes). The cold mixture will make forming the energy balls a lot easier.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop mixture into rounded balls and roll between palms to shape. You should get roughly 18-20 balls. Enjoy with your morning chai or coffee!
Notes
Store balls in container in fridge for about 2-3 weeks. Balls also keep well in freezer in airtight container for about 3-4 months.
Nutrition approx, based on 18 servings using cacao nibs.
- Category: Snacks
- Method: no-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 98
- Sugar: 5
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: dirty chai recipes, unique energy balls, coffee snacks
Let’s Chat
- Have you tried a new workout that you love lately?
- Are you an AM or PM exerciser?
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Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
LOVE dirty chais so I am all about this recipe! And I love that it requires no food processor because as much as I love making balls, I hate cleaning my food processor so these are perfect. Also why did I never go to FLEXCity when I lived in EL?! Seriously bummed I missed out on that!
Ashley says
I agree–cleaning the food processor cleaning seriously is such a bummer. Even though I love it!
There is a FLEX in the Detroit suburbs somewhere! You’ll have to see how close you are, I think you’d love it 🙂
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It says
YES I found someone else who loves chai as much as I do! I know it’s definitely an acquired taste. I’m an AM exerciser always. If I don’t do it then, I’ll never do it! Haha plus it wakes me up in the morning and leaves me feeling accomplished and energized!
★★★★★
Ashley says
Lol I get this obsessions with silly things like chai and spices 🙂
I should definitely work on making morning exercise a habit but I often go back and forth!
michele @ paleorunningmomma says
Perfection! I wish i could have these right now. And the AM mood boost is real, which is why if I don’t get it done first thing in the morning it doesn’t happen at all.
Ashley says
I’m having a hard time balancing that am workout schedule working at home. I definitely feel like I put too much on my list of things to do and then it gets moved down to the bottom of the list. But actually scheduling these classes I’ve been going to helps!
rachel @ athletic avocado says
I never heard of a dirty chai but now I’m so intrigued that I need to try one! I love chai tea and coffee so it makes sense that I would LOVE this! These energy balls look amazing Ashley 🙂
Ashley says
Oh yes next time try one when you go to a coffee shop!! Thanks Rachel! 🙂
Emily says
These look so good; I think I’ve heard of dirty chai, but I’ve never actually combined the two.
So… I used to do a lot of morning running, and it was SUCH a good way to start the day. Now I kind of start the day with another kind of mental workout, and that really helps too. Life has changed a bit in that I do workouts in the afternoon, but it also serves as sort of a mid-afternoon pick me up.
Keep getting after those workouts Ashley! I love that you put so much zest into your workouts.
Ashley says
I like the idea of starting the day with a mental workout though, that is a great alternative!
Thanks Emily 🙂
Beverley @ Born to Sweat says
Ashley these look so delicious!! i love that photo of all the spices too. Ugh. You’re so creative haha. And I agree with morning workouts, except I can never get myself to do them! I like to save heavy lifting until the afternoon. Just cause i’m convinced i’d drop something on my head that early in the morning =P
Ashley says
Lol, you crack me up. But I can see how heavy lifting is not the best idea first thing in the AM. I recently almost fell down the stairs the other morning (seriously…), so not sure I’d trust myself with weights!
Ellie | Hungry by Nature says
I love dirty chai lattes and now I can eat them as a pre-workout snack. Gurl, you da best!
Ashley says
Thanks Ellie!
Cassie says
A.M. exerciser, ALWAYS! It will change when I go to college in a bit less than two weeks, however. It always makes me feel amazing for the rest of the day!
Ashley says
Isn’t it great how AM exercise can just set the tone of the entire day?!
Jess @hellotofit says
I start work at 6AM , does that count? Hehe. But I completely agree about the morning workouts!! It’s SO HARD for me to exercise if it’s after 9AM….
Also, these look freaking amazing. I need about 5, please.
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
love me some dirty chai lattes. I need to get back in and get one now, thanks a lot 😉
Ashley @ The Small Town Foodie says
These look heavenly. I seriously need to try them ASAP. My boyfriend leaves for work at 5am, so I keep getting myself up at that time and doing my workout in the morning! I totally agree.. it makes such a difference in how I feel the rest of the day.
Jenn - a traveling Wife says
Yes, please! Chai lattes are my absolute favorite. I used to make my own homemade chai spice and add it to my vanilla protein powder. I haven’t done that in a while and now I’m wondering why?! 🙂
Ashley says
Oh I think I need to make a container of homemade chai spices too because I’ve been using it in everything! And I keep having to get out al of my spices and keep putting them back :-p
Macy @ Paleo Crumbs says
These look delicious! and that mug is supper cute!
Macy @ Paleo Crumbs says
* super not supper! haha
Ana says
I did this recipe and was amazing! energy balls are my fav thing ever.
★★★★★
Ashley says
Aw thank you so much for letting me know Ana!! So glad you enjoyed them <3
Pal says
You definitely need to like a pretty spicy chai… I may leave out the cloves and allspice next round. I’m glad I used some dark chocolate chips to balance out the flavor! Should I try peanut butter next time instead of almond butter…. would that be weird?! LOVE YOU.
★★★★
Ashley says
Hahaha yes they are kind of spicy… oops! I’ll have to add that to the notes 😉
PB would probably just as amazing…. LY thanks for the feedback! <3
Whittney says
Could I use fresh fine ground coffee?
Ashley says
Hmmm you know I have never tried that. I suppose you could? It might be a touch more bitter though since you’d be eating the actual ground bean. Where espresso powder is actually concentrated coffee crystals that would dissolve in liquid. I’m not sure if that helps you make sure your decision or not. Let me know! 🙂
Elyssa says
so excited to make these! it says nutritional info is listed but I don’t see it. mind passing it on?
Ashley says
Hi Elyssa! Sorry about the mix up there – I am now using a new recipe card and that data didn’t transfer over. Approximately the info is as follows: 1 muffin Calories: 170. Fat: 9. Carbohydrates: 16. Sugar: 8. Fiber: 2. Protein: 7
Let me know if you make them! 🙂
Elyssa says
I made them and love them! They are perfect for morning gym sessions! thanks so much!
Ashley says
Awesome! I love them as a workout snack as well. Thank you for your comment and letting me know, Elyssa!