These Cha Cha Chai Energy Balls are essentially “healthy no-bake cookie bites.” They come together easily – as in minutes – and have a rich, complex and completely satisfying taste.
With vanilla protein powder, chia seeds, and peanut butter, you have key ingredients that help you power through the day.
They make a both a great daytime snack or a bite-sized after-dinner dessert.
These chai energy balls were inspired by a 2022 Minnesota State Fair blue ribbon winning recipe by Amy Ellenberger, so recipe credit goes to her.
Chai Spice Blend
To make these chai energy balls, you start with a chai spice blend. I make it in bulk with this combination of ingredients and amounts.
- 4 tablespoons cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons cardamom
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground nutmeg
If you make it in bulk, you’ll have the chai spice blend any time you want to make these. And believe me, you’re going to want to make these chai energy balls again and again. You can make them ahead of time and freeze the “dough.” Just bring it to room temperature before rolling them into balls. With the extra chai spice blend, you can use it for an additional batch or put it your coffee. I make a chai iced coffee with it by adding the blend to leftover coffee, and adding half and half or cream, plus some ice. Delish!
What’s also great about this recipe is you can make it as spicy or mild as you like by increasing or eliminating the cayenne in them. If you wanted to “skip the rolling into balls” step, you can instead press it into a wax-paper-lined 9″x13″ inch pan. You can easily cut them into whatever size you like.
Enjoy!
-Cyndi