In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, unsweetened cocoa powder, and ground flaxseed (if you choose to include it). Stir the ingredients together until they are evenly mixed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the natural peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and creamy with a consistent texture.
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir them together thoroughly until the entire mixture is well combined and sticky enough to hold its shape.
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture for bursts of chocolate in every bite.
For ease of handling, place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill the mixture for approximately 30 minutes. This will help firm it up.
After chilling, remove the mixture from the refrigerator. Use your hands to take portions of the mixture and roll them into small balls, roughly 1 inch in diameter. Arrange the rolled bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Once all the energy bites are shaped, return them to the refrigerator for an additional 10-15 minutes. This step will help them firm up nicely.
Transfer the energy bites to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to a week.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.