Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

Save room for dessert! These no-bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls are the perfect protein bites. Peanut butter, rolled oats, and a handful of wholesome ingredients are transformed into delicious bite-size balls loaded with healthy fats, fiber, and protein. 

Jump to:

• 6-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls
• Are peanut butter energy balls healthy?
• Ingredients and substitutions 
• Equipment 
• How to make peanut butter oatmeal balls
• Tips and tricks
• Variations
• Storing and freezing
• Frequently asked questions
• Looking for more snack & savory recipes?
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

6-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls

I don’t know about you, but I love it when healthy snacking can double as dessert. Just take my Sugar Free Oatmeal Cookies and these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls for example. You can always find a batch of the peanut butter oatmeal bites in the freezer. They’re easy to make and even easier to eat on the go.

The best part is you don’t have to turn on your oven to make no-bake oatmeal balls. Instead, you’ll mix peanut butter, oats, and the rest of the healthy, flavorful ingredients together in a food processor. Roll them into balls and keep them in the freezer for months! This way, you’ll always have a quick snack to grab on the go. 

Are peanut butter energy balls healthy?

Natural ingredients packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats make these peanut butter balls the optimal healthy snack to power you through the day. They also happen to be naturally dairy free, vegan, and gluten free (if made with certified gluten free oats).

This recipe yields about 16 energy bites for easy snacking. Each one is estimated to have:

• 3.3 grams of protein
• 7 grams of fat
• 3 grams of dietary fiber
• 125 calories

Ingredients and substitutions 

• Oats - This must-have ingredient is the sole reason why these bites have such a delightfully chewy texture. Rolled old fashioned oats are best but quick oats will work as well (but the texture will be softer). Steel cut oats do not work here. To keep this recipe gluten free, make sure to use certified gluten free oats.
• Toasted coconut flakes - To make these balls without refined sugar, use unsweetened shredded coconut. Feel free to use sweetened coconut flakes if added sugar isn't a concern. 
• Peanut butter - Use your favorite creamy peanut butter or any creamy nut or seed butter you love, such as almond butter, walnut, cashew butter, pecan, sunflower butter made from sunflower seeds, or homemade Nutella. 
• Flaxseed - To boost the protein, fiber, and omega-3s. Chia seeds or hemp seeds are also great alternatives.
• Pure Maple syrup - To help sweeten these peanut butter oatmeal balls while adding a sticky element to the dough and holding it all together. Agave nectar or honey both work too!
• Vanilla extract - Quality pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste makes these bites taste just like dessert. 

Equipment 

• Food processor - This recipe is much easier to make with a powerful food processor, but if you don’t have one, you can mix the ingredients by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon. No mixing bowl needed for these peanut butter oat balls!
• Small cookie scoop (or tablespoon) - Rolling the dough into perfectly portioned balls is much easier with a cookie scooper. You can also use a round tablespoon and then use your wet hands to roll the dough into perfectly round balls.
• Baking sheets and airtight containers - The balls’ shelf life is prolonged when they’re stored in the freezer. Letting them freeze until solid on a baking sheet before transferring them to an airtight container is the best method here.

How to make peanut butter oatmeal balls

These peanut butter energy bites may look like a complicated gourmet treat, but they’re super easy to make:

Step 1: Mix the dry and wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients - oats, toasted coconut, flax, and salt to a food processor. Next, add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Step 2: Pulse to combine. Pulse until a textured and sticky mixture forms. 

Step 3: Chill the dough. Transfer the mixture to the fridge to chill until it firms up and the excess moisture solidifies. This will make it much easier to roll into balls.

Step 4: Form into balls. With a cookie scoop or rounded tablespoon, roll the mixture into small balls. When they’re ready, transfer the oatmeal balls to the freezer in ziploc bags. Grab one whenever you feel a craving coming on!

Tips and tricks

• Chill before rolling - Setting the oatmeal peanut butter mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes makes it much easier to roll into balls. If you’re short on time, pop the mixture into the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes. 
• Wet your hands - Rolling the balls by hand? Dampen your hands with water to keep the dough from sticking.
• If the energy bite dough seems dry - Add a splash of water, maple syrup, or more peanut butter for extra moisture. 
• To make peanut butter oatmeal bars - If you prefer bars to bites, simply press the mixture into a square parchment-lined baking dish, chill in the fridge until solid, then cut into bars. 

Variations

To personalize these peanut butter oatmeal balls, mix and match your mix-ins. To make this afternoon snack, you can add: 

• Mini dark chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Cacao nibs
• Pitted medjool dates
• Ground flax seeds or hemp seed
• Cocoa Powder
• Dried fruit - Mango, pineapple, or cranberries.
• Chopped nuts - Almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, pecans, or pistachios.
• Warm spices - Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.

Storing and freezing

To store: Keep the no-bake energy balls in a shallow airtight container or sealable bag in the fridge for up to 1 week. 

To freeze: Double or triple the batch and freeze them for later! First, set the balls on a baking sheet. Place them in the freezer until they’re frozen solid. Then, transfer the balls to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. 

Frequently asked questions

Looking for more snack & savory recipes?

As always, I love seeing your creations and hearing from you! If you try these peanut butter balls, please leave a review or share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter!