Easy Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls – 5 Ingredients

These easy Oatmeal Peanut Butter balls are the perfect healthy snack for your sweet tooth. With a delicious combination of creamy peanut butter, crunchy oats, ground flax seeds, shredded coconut, and maple syrup, they are quick and easy to make and perfect for on-the-go snacking.

This oatmeal peanut butter balls recipe is made with just 5 simple ingredients and is packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They make a great option for a post-workout bite, mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or anytime you need a quick and easy snack. The classic combination of oats and peanut butter makes them perfectly appetizing and delectable. 

You will love that these no-bake peanut butter oatmeal balls are wonderfully sweet with no refined sugar and they are vegan and gluten-free.

Additionally, they are so easy to make. All you need to do is combine the 5 ingredients in a bowl, form it into even sizes balls, chill, and enjoy! See below for step-by-step detailed instructions. No-bake treats like this are everything when you are busy!

And if that isn’t enough to convince you, these peanut butter balls only take a few minutes to make and store great too, so you can have them on hand when that sweet craving hits. Kids love them as well, so make sure to make a double batch! 

Try these Monster Cookie Energy Bites for a fun twist!

Why this oatmeal peanut butter balls recipe works

• Easy to make, you can have them ready in minutes and they require no baking!
• They are a healthy snack option, packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied.
•  Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, making them a delicious and guilt-free treat.
• Customizable and can easily be adapted to your personal taste preferences by adding in your favorite mix-ins or substitutions. See below for ideas!

Recommended Tools For Making This Recipe

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon/fork
• Ice cream scoop
• Parchment paper
• Plate / Baking sheet

Ingredients you will need

*Check out the complete list of recipe ingredients and instructions in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

Here is a breakdown of each of the 5 simple ingredients you will need to make THIS amazing recipe. 

• Old-fashioned/ rolled oats – provide a great source of fiber and protein in this recipe and add some wonderful texture to the energy balls. Quick oats will also work. Steel-cut oats will not work in this recipe. These are my favorite oats. Make sure to use gluten-free oats, if needed.
• Creamy peanut butter – is high in protein and healthy fats and is the main ingredient that gives these bite-size treats a creamy, nutty flavor that makes them perfectly enjoyable and satisfying. You want to use a nice drippy, creamy peanut butter so it is easier to mix in with the rest of the ingredients. Make sure the only ingredients are peanuts and salt.
• Ground flax seeds – are another great source of fiber, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. They add another nutty flavor and a nice texture to this recipe. Make sure to use ground flax seeds or flax seed meal. 
• Shredded coconut – I recommend using unsweetened coconut that gives a delicious nutty flavor and a bit of crunch to these oatmeal peanut butter balls.
• Maple syrup – real maple syrup provides a natural sweetness to the recipe without adding any refined sugars. It’s also a good source of antioxidants.

What wonderful ingredients for this flavorful bite-sized, sweet treat that you can feel good about eating!

Substitutions and variations

Of course, if you don’t have all of these ingredients on hand or if you want to mix things up a bit, there are plenty of substitutions and variations you can try. Here are a few that would work great!

• Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. I have also tried this recipe using cashew butter and it turned out great!
• Swap out the shredded coconut for chopped nuts or dried fruit. I found that golden raisins or dried cranberries worked best.
• Experiment with different sweeteners, such as honey or agave nectar in place of the maple syrup.
• Make them crunchier by mixing in some chocolate chips or chia seeds. 
•  Add in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. My family really liked the addition of pumpkin spice.

The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and make these oatmeal peanut butter balls your own.

How to make Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls

1. Mix – Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use a spoon or your hands to mix everything together until it forms a sticky dough-like consistency. I like to use a wooden spoon to mix it. Chill the mixture for 15 minutes in the freezer to help it firm up, an essential step!
2. Form into balls – Once your mixture is ready, use your hands to roll it into small balls. The size is up to you, but I recommend making them about the size of a golf ball. If you find that the mixture is too sticky to handle, try wetting or spraying your hands with cooking spray or oil slightly before rolling, which makes it much easier to roll them. This tip literally changed my life, haha. 
3. Chill and enjoy – Place the formed energy balls onto a clean plate or lined baking sheet and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Pro tip! Use a small ice cream scoop to scoop the dough into even amounts before you roll it to ensure they are all the same size. 

Recipe Tips For The Best Results

• Use a nice drippy creamy peanut butter or microwave a thicker peanut butter for 35 seconds to soften it up. This will make it easier to mix in with the rest of the ingredients.
• Make sure to use natural peanut butter where the only ingredients are peanuts and salt.
• If you find that the mixture is difficult to roll, then spray your hands with cooking spray or rub some coconut oil on them. This makes them so much easier to roll, which I know a lot of people have trouble with.
• Let the peanut butter oatmeal balls chill for at least 15 minutes to allow them to set up. You can eat them right away but letting them chill allows them to firm up really well and gives the flavors a chance to blend together even more!
• If you like them even firmer then place them to chill in the freezer instead of the fridge.

What do peanut butter energy balls taste like?

Oatmeal peanut butter balls have a delicious, nutty flavor with a slightly sweet taste from the maple syrup. The texture is chewy and dense, with a satisfying crunch from any oats and coconut. Overall, they make for a satisfying and tasty snack that can help curb hunger and boost energy levels.

Storing instructions

These no-bake energy balls can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for longer storage. They make a great snack to bring with you to work, school, or on the go and are sure to satisfy any sweet cravings in a healthy and delicious way.

How long do oatmeal peanut butter balls last?

Oatmeal peanut butter energy balls can last up to 1 week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

Can oatmeal peanut butter energy bites be frozen?

Yes, oatmeal peanut butter energy balls can be frozen for up to 2-3 months in an airtight container. Thaw them in the refrigerator before eating.

Are energy balls healthy?

Energy balls can be a healthy snack option when made with nutritious ingredients such as nut butter and oats. However, some energy-ball recipes can be high in added sugars or fats, so it’s important to check the ingredients and portion size to ensure they fit into your overall diet and nutrition goals. This recipe is healthy and can be enjoyed as a healthy treat at any time!

Can you eat raw oats in energy balls?

Yes, raw oats can be used in energy balls as a source of complex carbohydrates and fiber. However, it’s important to note that raw oats can be tough to digest for some people and may cause discomfort. So make sure you are aware of this before trying this recipe.

Is this energy balls recipe gluten-free?

Oatmeal itself is naturally gluten-free, but it can sometimes be contaminated with gluten during processing. To ensure that your oatmeal peanut butter energy balls are gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.

More Healthy No-Bake Treats

• Healthy Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
• Carrot Cake Bites
• Protein Cookie Dough Balls
• Healthy Date Shake
• Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Yogurt Blueberry Clusters – Viral Recipe
• Healthy Protein Cookie Dough

Be sure to check out the complete collection of Heathy Desserts on PMG. 

Did you try this oatmeal peanut butter balls recipe? If you did then I would love to hear from you! Please leave a rating and comment below to let me know what you think.

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