These no bake peanut butter oatmeal balls are my favorite! They’re very easy to make and taste delicious. I often make this recipe in big batches for an upcoming party popping a few in my mouth every time I walk past the tray. Need a quick and easy snack or breakfast? This No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls recipe is ready in just under 10 minutes!
No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Balls
These No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Balls are a quick and easy treat that are loaded with chocolate chips and m&m’s!
We can not keep our hands off of these delicious little cookie balls! I originally saw these cookie balls over on The Baker Mama and just had to make them myself. They’re loaded with simple ingredients like old fashioned oats, honey, peanut butter and vanilla. Of course I’ve amped them up with mini chocolate chips and mini m&m’s to make them extra yummy!
No Bake Oatmeal Cookie Balls Recipe:
- Start by combining old fashioned oats, creamy peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt and your add-ins (mini chocolate chips and mini m&m’s) in a large bowl.
- Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to combine the mixture until it’s moist and sticky.
- Place the mixture in the fridge, covered for about 20 to 30 minutes to let it get a little stiffer.
- Roll the mixture into tablespoon size balls and place on a sheet of parchment paper. Keep refrigerated to keep their shape.
No Bake Cookie Ball Ingredients:
Here are the main components you’ll need to make these No Bake Cookie Balls, with options to switch things up to your liking!
- Oats – I like using Old Fashioned Oats because they soften over time in the cookie, but don’t get too mushy. You could also use Quick Oats or Steel Cut Oats.
- Peanut Butter – creamy is my favorite, but you could also use crunchy. Try Almond Butter for Nutella to switch things up!
- Honey – use your favorite varietal of honey! I don’t think maple syrup would work as a substitution in this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract
- Mini Chocolate Chips – I like the miniature version because it helps the balls keep their shape.
- Mini M&M’s – These add a fun color and sweetness to the cookies. Feel free to leave these out and increase the chocolate chips if desired.
How To Store No Bake Oatmeal Cookie Balls
You’ll want to keep these fun cookie balls stored in the fridge to best hold their shape. Place them in an air tight container and enjoy within 2 weeks.
CAN YOU FREEZE THE COOKIE BALLS? Yes! You can definitely freeze these in an airtight container for up to 5 months!
These cookie balls would make an excellent cookie to add to holiday plates!
Recipe Tips For Success:
- Spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray before measuring the honey to easily release it from the cup.
- Use a tablespoon cookie scoop to get perfectly portioned cookies.
- Spritz your hands with non-stick spray before rolling to avoid getting any sticky mess on your hands.
- Chill cookie balls on a baking sheet in the fridge for at lease 30 minutes before placing in an airtight container to avoid them sticking together.
PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
THESE VEGAN NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS ARE MADE WITH SIMPLE AND WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS. ALL YOU NEED ARE 4 SIMPLE INGREDIENTS AND YOU HAVE HEALTHY, DELICIOUS, VEGAN, AND GLUTEN-FREE ENERGY BITES.
These peanut butter oatmeal balls make a batch of perfect pre-workout energy bites or afternoon pick-me-up snacks.
I love making these healthy peanut butter energy balls because they are so quick, easy to make.
They also travel so well, which makes them a great grab-and-go option when you don’t have a lot of time to make a healthy snack.
These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls are made with all staple pantry ingredients so there’s a good chance you already have everything you need for this recipe on hand too!
- Peanut Butter
- Rolled Oats
- Maple Syrup or Honey
- Chocolate Chips
There’s hardly any clean-up involved with this recipe since you’re just mixing everything in one bowl. Also, there’s no fuss with the stove.
Which means it really couldn’t be any easier.
These oatmeal energy balls also freeze really well so feel free to make a larger batch and save them. They are the perfect meal prep recipe.
HOW TO MAKE THESE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
Since these are no-bake balls all you will need to do is mix the following ingredients, roll them into balls and let them chill for a couple of hours in the fridge. It’s that simple!
INGREDIENTS FOR THESE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
1. ROLLED OATS
Make sure to use rolled oats for this recipe (rolled oats are pre-cooked). Consuming uncooked oats can cause indigestion and bloat
2. PEANUT BUTTER
Using nut butter adds healthy fats and protein.
If you are allergic to peanuts, you can substitute for cashew or almond butter.
Additionally, if you need to go nut-free you could use sun butter or tahini (sesame seeds butter) here instead.
3. CHOCOLATE CHIPS
You can use whatever kind of chocolate chips you enjoy here, but if you want added health benefits, use dark chocolate that contains a high amount of pure cacao.
4. MAPLE SYRUP OR HONEY
Honey is a great natural sweetener and one of my favorite ingredients to use in recipes in place of refined sugars.
For a vegan option, use maple syrup.
5. NUT MILK (OPTIONAL)
You may need a small amount here (~ 2-3 tablespoons) if the peanut butter oatmeal dough is too crumbly.
Note: the texture could vary depending on the brand of nut butter you choose.
ADDITIONAL SUPERFOOD ADD-INS
Feel free to add some extras in there if you’re feelin’ experimental.
Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and ground flax seeds can easily be added to these peanut butter oatmeal balls and it will boost the nutrient content a lot.
It’s okay to taste test along the way because there aren’t any raw ingredients so you can easily adjust this recipe to add whatever makes your taste buds dance.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
Carbs have been getting a bad reputation lately with the whole keto diet trend.
However, oats are a great source of complex carbohydrates and studies have shown that they can actually help fight inflammation among many other health benefits.
Oats are also a great source of fiber, which helps with weight loss (keeps you fuller longer) and can help lower cholesterol too!
Oatmeals high fiber content is helpful in controlling blood sugar levels as well.
Fiber slows down digestion, which means the carbs are able to deliver a more steady source of glucose to your cells and prevent blood sugar levels from spiking too high.
The key is everything in moderation. Too many carbs can be problematic, but when consumed in moderation, they provide great health benefits
WHY I LOVE THESE ENERGY PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
Aside from being quick, easy, and basically mess-free, I love how easy it is to customize these peanut butter oatmeal balls so that the whole family can enjoy them.
You can try taking half of the batch and mixing it with other fun ingredients to make it more kid-friendly, or spread it out in a pan instead of rolling them into balls and then cut them into squares.
There are a lot of possibilities with a basic, simple recipe like this so it’s a good recipe to have in your arsenal!
HOW TO STORE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
Once you’ve chilled your oatmeal balls simply put them in a storage bag or airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Or you can freeze them for up to 2 months.
So feel free to batch up for some meal prep.
What’s your favorite kind of no-bake energy bite? Leave a comment below!
PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
These pantry friendly 4-ingredient no-bake peanut butter oatmeal balls are so easy to make. They are vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free and make the perfect snack!
PREP TIME10 minutes
TOTAL TIME10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 2- 3 tbsp nut milk or other liquid of choice (optional)
- 2 tbsp ground flax seeds and/or chia seeds (optional) **
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, ground flax seeds and/or chia seeds if using any.
- Add peanut butter* and maple syrup to the bowl. Stir or work it with your hand until well combined. Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of nut milk if too dry or crumbly.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Cover and let it chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Line a cookie sheet, baking dish or large plate with parchment paper. Using a cookie scoop, spoon, or your hands, form the dough into balls (If using hands, wet your hands to prevent sticking).
- Freeze for 20 minutes then transfer the peanut butter balls to an air-tight storage bag or container.
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for 2 months.
NOTES
- *Use smooth and preferably drizzly peanut butter. If the peanut butter has been refrigerated or very thick, mix it with maple syrup/honey and microwave it for 15 – 20 secs or until smooth.
- ** The ground flax seeds and chia seeds both absorb liquid. If the dough gets too dry or crumbly, add additional 2 -3 tablespoons of nut milk.
NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS
Healthy snacking has never been so easy with these no-bake peanut butter oatmeal balls!
It’s an easy vegan energy ball recipe ready in 30 minutes without a food processor or any fancy tool!
WHAT ARE NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BALLS?
These peanut butter oatmeal balls are simple, delicious energy balls made with wholesome ingredients such as oats, peanut butter, and maple syrup.
It’s perfect to recharge your energy after a workout or as a quick snack.
HOW TO MAKE NO-BAKE OATMEAL BALLS
There are many ways to make no-bake energy balls with oatmeal.
INGREDIENTS
The easiest no-bake energy balls are made of 6 ingredients:
- Old fashioned oats – you can use rolled oats, but you may need to add more since rolled oats are cut finely. Also, the texture will be much different, and softer and the batter will be stickier.
- Creamy peanut butter – the key to making soft, melt-in-your-mouth no-bake energy bites is to use a fresh jar of creamy peanut butter. Preferably, choose a brand with no sugar added and no added oil to make healthy no-bake oatmeal balls.
- Maple syrup – you need a liquid sweetener to bind the ingredients together. You can also use agave syrup or brown rice syrup. They are vegan-approved and will make delicious raw vegan energy balls!
- Dark chocolate chips – make sure they don’t contain added milk to make healthy vegan energy balls.
- Seeds or nuts – feel free to mix your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or chopped nuts in this recipe. I love to use a combination of pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and unsweetened shredded coconut. Other options are chopped almonds, flax seeds, chia seeds, raisins, and more.
- Vanilla extract – for a perfect taste.
MAKING QUICK AND EASY OATMEAL BALLS
This is the easiest healthy snacking recipe ever!
Follow the easy 4 steps below to make these no-bake peanut butter oatmeal energy balls at home in less than 30 minutes:
COMBINING INGREDIENTS
Combine all the ingredients into a bowl. You don’t need a food processor.
A simple mixing bowl and spatula are enough.
REFRIGERATE THE DOUGH
This is the trick to harden the batter slightly and make it easier to roll without falling apart.
ROLLING THE BALLS
Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter and roll your oatmeal balls between your hands.
My tip, lightly wet your hands with water before rolling a ball to prevent the batter from sticking to your fingers.
SERVING
The best part, you can eat them straight away to fix your sweet craving quickly.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
These no-bake peanut butter energy balls store very well too for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
You can freeze these energy balls and thaw them at room temperature 3 hours before snacking!
If you really love this energy bite recipe, double the batch, play with the added ingredients to create different flavors, and freeze for later!
MAKING NO-BAKE OATMEAL BALLS WITHOUT PEANUT BUTTER
If you are allergic to nuts or want a healthier option with less saturated fat, there are plenty of options to replace peanut butter in this recipe.
You can replace peanut butter with the same amount of:
- Creamy almond butter – it is a healthy nut butter option to decrease the saturated fat in the recipe and make healthy no-bake peanut butter oatmeal balls.
- Sunflower seed butter – a great nut-free option, but it can add a bitter aftertaste if you are not used to it.
- Tahini – another nut-free option, also known as sesame seed butter, but be aware that it can add a bitter aftertaste to your no-bake energy ball recipe!
HEALTHY ADD-ONS
This no-bake peanut butter oatmeal ball recipe is so versatile.
You can add or change so many ingredients to create different flavors. Below are some of my favorite ideas for you to try:
- Protein balls – turn this recipe into protein balls using protein peanut butter powder. Make sure you first re-hydrate the powder to get 1 cup, the amount required in the recipe. Then, use it as a peanut butter replacement in the recipe to boost your protein intake.
- Ground flax seeds – add 1 tablespoon of ground seeds to boost your healthy fatty acids!
- Spices – add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin spices, or any flavor you fancy!