These easy no-bake peanut butter oatmeal balls are made with just rolled oats, peanut butter, honey, and peanuts. They're a quick sweet-and-salty snack, ready in under 30 minutes.
These peanut butter oatmeal balls are perfect for a breakfast on-the-go or a simple afternoon snack. Each bite is packed with salty-sweet flavor and crunchy texture. Inspired by my reader-favorite 2-ingredient peanut butter cookies, I kept the ingredients list short, with just four simple pantry staples!
Ingredients and Tips
- Rolled oats - also called old fashioned oats. You can substitute quick oats, but the texture will be a little softer.
- Peanut butter - use creamy peanut butter so it's sticky enough to hold everything together.
- Honey - provides a sweet compliment to the salty peanut butter and also helps hold everything together.
- Chopped peanuts - don't leave the nuts whole since they'll overpower the texture.
More Mix-In Options!
In addition to chopped nuts, I love mixing any of the following with the oats + pb for different flavor combos.
- raisins
- cranberries
- chopped nuts
- chia seeds
- ground flax seeds
- hemp seeds
- shredded coconut
- cinnamon
- dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips
The flavor possibilities are endless! Maybe you're heading to a bonfire on the beach and want to make s'mores-flavored energy balls? Just mix the oats and honey with mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs and chocolate chips. Yum!
My Favorite Peanut Butter
I love using peanut butter that tastes great with minimal ingredients, so I use Wild Friends Foods peanut cashew super butter in these energy bites. And the added chia seeds + flax seeds make these bites extra thick and delicious!
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
developed & tested by:
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (or your favorite creamy nut or seed butter)
- ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ cup chopped peanuts (or your favorite chopped nuts or seeds)
Instructions
- Mix all four ingredients in a medium mixing bowl until the oats and nuts are fully coated in the nut butter and honey.
- Set the bowl in the fridge for 15 minutes, to make it easier to shape into balls.
- Using clean hands, take about 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture and press it in your palms to shape into a ball. Repeat with the rest of the mixture until you have 12 energy bites. Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to enjoy later.
Notes
- Dry Mixture: If your peanut butter balls are dry and they aren't sticking together, add a little more honey, one tablespoon at a time. Some nut butters can be drier than others.
- Sticky Mixture: Lightly wetting your hands before rolling the mixture will also help it not stick to your hands.
- Storing: These peanut butter energy balls are great to take on a trip, to school, or to work, since they keep well during the day in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also store them longer in the fridge.
Maria says
These are so easy to make! My kids love helping make them. I love feeding them these for a snack, and they're the perfect addition to their lunchboxes during the school year! Sometimes, we even drizzle some melted chocolate on top or add some mini chocolate chips to the mixture!
Carissa Erzen says
Yay! I love them as a snack too! Ooh chocolate with these would be amazing, I'm going to try that soon!
Nicole says
I made a batch of these and have been snacking on them while studying in the afternoon. They're a great pick-me-up, and I love the level of sweetness. Perfection!
Carissa Erzen says
I love them as an afternoon snack too! I'm glad you enjoy them 🙂
Cissy says
These were so fun to make with my kids! They devoured them so quickly, they were absolutely delicious!
Carissa Erzen says
Fantastic!
Yum-number1 says
I tried making these myself and turned out so great! Super yummy and “on the go†kind of snack
strawberryandcream says
Yay! I am so glad they turned out great for you!!
Rachel says
A great idea for a healthy snack. 😀
strawberryandcream says
Thank you! We really enjoy them! ðŸ˜