This healthy peanut butter oatmeal balls recipe requires just four simple ingredients! Plus these easy no bake treats are ready in under 30 minutes!
These peanut butter oatmeal balls are also called energy bites, since they are packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats. Made from just four simple ingredients, these treats are so easy to make!
They are perfect for a breakfast on the go or a simple dessert. Each bite is packed with salty-sweet flavor and crunchy texture.
And if you're looking for more tasty recipes that transport well, try my DIY trail mix, baked apple chips, or homemade granola.
Or for more easy, sweet treats that usually get eaten faster than I can say "just one more" try my 3 ingredient brown sugar cookies and 2 ingredient peanut butter cookies!
Ingredients
These four simple ingredients create delicious and easy energy balls. Keep reading below for ingredient substitutions and variations.
- 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.
Substitutions
- Use homemade chocolate almond butter instead of store-bought nut butter
- Use agave syrup or maple syrup instead of honey to make this recipe vegan
- Use seed butter and seeds instead of peanut butter and chopped peanuts to keep this recipe nut-free.
Recipe Variations
Mix any of the following in with your peanut butter oatmeal balls for a delicious variation in flavor and texture.
- 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. You can get creative!
How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
- Mix: Mix all four ingredients in a medium mixing bowl until the oats and nuts are fully coated in the peanut butter and honey.
- Refrigerate: Set the mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes, to make it easier to shape into balls.
- Shape: 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.
- Eat: Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Recipe Tips
- If your peanut butter balls are dry and aren't sticking together, add a little more honey, one tablespoon at a time.
- Lightly wetting your hands before rolling the mixture into balls will help it not stick to your hands.
- Don't skip refrigerating the mixture before rolling them into balls. Otherwise you'll end up with a sticky mess!
Storing
- Room temperature: These peanut butter energy balls are great to take on a trip, to school, or to work. They keep well during the day in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week.
- Freezer: Store in an airtight container or freezer safe Ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
Choosing the Best Peanut Butter
I love using peanut butter that tastes great with minimal ingredients. Wild Friends Foods has some incredible flavors of nut and seed butters made from wholesome ingredients without any palm oil.
I use their peanut cashew super butter in these energy bites, since it adds a little extra sweetness from the organic clover honey. And the chia seeds and flax seeds make it extra thick and delicious.
More Recipes Featuring Oats
- Vegan Apple Crisp
- Vegan Baked Oatmeal with Caramel
- Apple and Hazelnut Baked Oatmeal
- Healthy Cowboy Cookies
- Almond Cashew Chocolate Granola
- Homemade Oat Milk
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Winter Oatmeal with Stewed Fruit
- Savory Oatmeal with Caramelized Onions & Mushrooms
- Blueberry Almond Butter Oatmeal
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
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
- 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.
- Lightly wetting your hands before rolling the mixture will also help it not stick to your hands.
- Don't skip refrigerating the mixture before rolling them into balls. Otherwise you'll end up with a sticky mess on your hands!
Maria
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
Yay! I love them as a snack too! Ooh chocolate with these would be amazing, I'm going to try that soon!
Nicole
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
I love them as an afternoon snack too! I'm glad you enjoy them 🙂
Cissy
These were so fun to make with my kids! They devoured them so quickly, they were absolutely delicious!
Carissa Erzen
Fantastic!
Yum-number1
I tried making these myself and turned out so great! Super yummy and “on the go†kind of snack
strawberryandcream
Yay! I am so glad they turned out great for you!!
Rachel
A great idea for a healthy snack. 😀
strawberryandcream
Thank you! We really enjoy them! ðŸ˜