Oh my goodness, have you ever just needed a sweet treat that’s ridiculously easy AND tastes like pure joy? That’s exactly how I feel about these Monster Cookie Balls! Seriously, they are my go-to when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want to turn on the oven. I remember the first time I made these for a neighborhood potluck – they disappeared so fast, I barely got one! They’ve got that perfect chew from the oats, a pop of fun from the M&M’s, and that unmistakable monster cookie vibe. Trust me, if you love a classic monster cookie, you’ll adore these no-bake wonders.

Why You’ll Love These Monster Cookie Balls

Seriously, what’s not to love about these little bites of heaven? They’re:

Super Easy & No-Bake! No oven required means less fuss and more snacking.
A Flavor Explosion! You get that classic monster cookie mix of oats, peanut butter, chocolate, and M&M’s all in one bite.
Kid-Friendly Fun: The colorful M&M’s make them a hit with little ones (and the young at heart!).
Perfect for Parties: They’re bite-sized, easy to transport, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Gather Your Ingredients for Monster Cookie Balls

Alright, let’s get our game faces on and gather everything we need for these amazing Monster Cookie Balls! It’s pretty straightforward, and once you have your ingredients lined up, the magic happens super fast. Remember, fresh ingredients make all the difference, so grab the good stuff!

First up, you’ll need a cup (that’s two sticks, so think about your butter!) of unsalted butter. Make sure it’s nice and softened – not melted, but soft enough to easily indent with your finger. Then we’ll grab 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of light brown sugar. Give that brown sugar a good pack into the measuring cup so you get the full amount; it makes a world of difference in flavor!

Next, we need 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for that classic cookie taste. For the dry stuff, get ready with 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and about half a teaspoon of salt. And of course, the stars of the show: 2 cups of rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant, please!), 1 cup of peanut butter chips (yum!), 1 cup of colorful M&M’s candies, and another cup of good old chocolate chips. Doesn’t that sound delicious already?

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Monster Cookie Balls

Alright, let’s get down to business and put these amazing Monster Cookie Balls together! It’s really not complicated, and honestly, a little bit of chilling time is the hardest part. You’ll be popping these delicious little guys in no time! If you love peanut butter goodness, you’ll definitely want to check out this peanut butter fudge recipe too!

Creaming the Base for Perfect Monster Cookie Balls

First things first, grab a nice big bowl. We need to cream together that softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars. You’ll want to beat them until they’re super light and fluffy – it takes a couple of minutes, but trust me, it makes a huge difference! Then, crack in your two eggs, one at a time, and give it a good mix after each one. Finally, stir in that teaspoon of yummy vanilla extract. This is the luscious foundation for our Monster Cookie Balls!

Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients for Monster Cookie Balls

Now, in a separate bowl, let’s get our dry ingredients ready. Just give the flour, baking soda, and salt a little whisk together. This just makes sure everything is evenly distributed. Then, we’ll slowly add this dry mixture into our wet butter and sugar mixture. Mix it until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, don’t go crazy here; overmixing can make our cookie balls tough. We want tender!

Adding the ‘Monster’ Elements to Your Cookie Balls

This is where the real fun begins! Time to stir in those glorious rolled oats, the peanut butter chips, those cheerful M&M’s, and the classic chocolate chips. Give it a good stir until all those goodies are evenly spread throughout the dough. It’s going to look packed and chunky – that’s exactly what we want for that perfect “monster” look and taste!

Chilling and Rolling Your Monster Cookie Balls

Okay, the dough is looking amazing, but it’s probably a bit sticky. That’s normal! Cover that bowl up and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour, or until it’s firm enough to handle without sticking everywhere. This step is crucial so you can actually roll them! Once it’s chilled, scoop out about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a 1-inch ball between your hands. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. After they’re all rolled, pop them back in the fridge for another 30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape when you serve them. It’s like giving them a little chill-out session before the party!

Tips for Perfect Monster Cookie Balls Every Time

You know, making these Monster Cookie Balls is pretty forgiving, but there are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that make them even better. My first batch was okay, but after a few tries, I figured out some things that take them from good to *chef’s kiss* amazing! If your dough is ever too sticky, don’t panic! I’ve found that an extra 15-30 minutes in the fridge usually does the trick. Sometimes, depending on how humid it is, the flour acts a little differently.

And for really uniform balls – perfect for making them look super professional, though they taste great no matter what! – I swear by using a small cookie scoop or even a tablespoon measure to get the same amount of dough each time. It makes rolling them out a breeze. Also, if you’re not a huge fan of peanut butter chips (I know, I know, controversial!), you can totally swap them out. Mini chocolate chips, or even some chopped up pretzels for a salty crunch, work beautifully. Remember that fun heavy cream recipe? You could also use some of that rich flavor in different dessert creations!

And a tiny tip for your M&M’s: if you want those colors to really pop, don’t let the dough get too warm while you’re rolling. Cold dough equals vibrant M&M’s!

Storing Your Delicious Monster Cookie Balls

Okay, so you’ve made these incredible Monster Cookie Balls, and whether you have a few leftovers or a whole batch that you just can’t finish all at once, you’ll want to store them right! To keep that chewy, slightly soft texture perfect, the best strategy is to pop them into an airtight container. Seriously, seal it up tight!

I always keep mine in the refrigerator. They stay wonderfully fresh there for up to a week. The chill helps them keep their shape and that delightful texture. If you somehow manage to have any left after a week, you’ll probably want to toss them just to be safe, but trust me, they rarely last that long!

Frequently Asked Questions About Monster Cookie Balls

Got questions? I’ve got answers! People always ask me about tweaking recipes, and these Monster Cookie Balls are no exception. They’re pretty robust, but here are a few things folks often wonder about.

Can I make these without peanut butter chips?

Absolutely! While peanut butter chips add that classic monster cookie flavor, you can totally swap them out. Mini chocolate chips work great, or even some chopped pretzels for a salty crunch. If you love a good no-bake treat, you might also want to peek at these cheesecake deviled strawberries – they’re a fun twist!

What if my dough is too sticky to roll?

Oh, that can happen! Usually, it just means the dough needs a little more chill time. Pop it back in the fridge for another 30 minutes, or even an hour if it’s really sticky. Sometimes, depending on humidity, the flour can absorb moisture differently, making the dough softer. Just be patient – it’ll firm up!

How long do these Monster Cookie Balls last?

As I mentioned, they store super well in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re usually good for about a week. Honestly, though, they’re so delicious they usually disappear way before then!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, let’s talk numbers! For these utterly delicious Monster Cookie Balls, we’re looking at about 150 calories per ball. That’s including all those yummy mix-ins like peanut butter chips, M&M’s, and chocolate chips! You’ll get around 8g of fat, with about 3g of that being saturated fat, and a solid 18g of carbohydrates, including roughly 15g of sugar. Plus, about 3g of protein and some sodium. Just remember, these are estimates, and your exact numbers might change a tiny bit depending on the specific brands you use!

Monster Cookie Balls

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 1 hr 25 min
Yield: 48 balls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

No-bake cookie balls with classic monster cookie flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 cup M&M’s candies
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Stir in the rolled oats, peanut butter chips, M&M’s candies, and chocolate chips.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to roll.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Refrigerate the cookie balls for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a smoother texture, you can chill the dough for longer.
Store the cookie balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Prep Time: 25 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ball
Calories: 150
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Monster Cookie Balls, no-bake cookies, cookie balls, peanut butter, chocolate, M&M's, oats