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These simple and no bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls take less than 10 minutes to make and are full of hearty oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and a handful of other ingredients. Easy to customize and super kid friendly, this recipe is the fuel you will love to energize you throughout the day!
This recipe was originally published November 2014. Photos and copy were updated August 2024.
This is one of my all time favorite snacks and I have been making these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls going on 10 years.
There is nothing better than a little bite of oats with peanut butter. Period. An easy snack that has all my favorites!
No bake. Great fuel. And easy to whip up. So I basically have these in the fridge about 90% of the time. For a fun twist on these flavors, these No Bake Cookie Butter Cookies are great too!
Another similar no bake recipe you will love is these No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars!
Why You Will Love These Peanut Butter Oat Balls:
- They are so quick and easy to make. These oatmeal peanut butter balls are the most simple recipe and ready in about 10 minutes, if that. Simple ingredients and all pantry staples in our house–always a family favorite for a snack that comes together so easily.
- Always a kid favorite. I have not met a kid who hasn’t loved these bites, aside from a kid who has a peanut allergy, and I have made adjustments for them! Wholesome and filling and fun to help make and eat! Get the kids in the kitchen!
- Actually freezer friendly! When my mom recently fought cancer, I would make several batches for her and freeze them so she could have them last a while. She said they were still amazing!
- So easy to vary! Lots of ways to make these your very own. You can vary the nut butter, vary the type of chocolate and more. Make them with gluten free oats if needed and other adjustments to adapt to your diet!
Recipe Ingredients:
- oats: rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats are needed in this recipe for best results. Quick oats can work but the oat and peanut butter balls can be a bit on the dry side sometimes when using them. You do not need to cook the oats, before adding them into this recipe. Also, use certified gluten free oats to keep this recipe fully gluten free if needed.
- peanut butter: I really like the creamy natural peanut butter that is a bit on the drippy side for these oatmeal balls, however, I have used just about every kind of creamy peanut butter out there to make this recipe and still have had success. I don’t suggest crunchy peanut butter in this recipe, but I am sure if you love it, you could make it work. If there is an allergy, you can use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter instead!
- flax: ground flax seeds, also called flaxmeal, works to help bind these oat balls together while also adding some extra nutrients and fiber. I like to make these bites for my friends who are nursing as new moms since the flaxmeal can help with lactation–bonus! When my mom was going through chemotherapy recently, she could not tolerate the flax so I did omit it and was able to still have success, so don’t fret if you are missing it.
- sweetener: while a lot of these no bake recipes use either honey or pure maple syrup, I actually always use a bit of both. I found that a touch of each makes for the very best flavor. You can most certainly use one or the other, but if you want a real treat, add both! Another liquid sweetener should work if you have a different one that you prefer.
- vanilla: vanilla extract adds the perfect touch of flavor
- chocolate chips: any chocolate chips will work. I really love using white chocolate chips but dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate etc. will work. You could even use chocolate chunks. Sometimes we skip them completely.
- sea salt: just a touch, but you can adjust to your liking
- optional ingredients: you can add in some other fun ingredients like dried cranberries, a spoonful of chia seeds, hemp seeds, chopped nuts, shredded coconut and more. If you want to add protein powder, that will work, but I suggest upping the peanut butter a bit.
How to make these oatmeal balls:
- Combine the ingredients except the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Stir well to combine. It can be a bit tough, but just work at it and it all comes together. You can also throw on some gloves and use your hands!
- Fold in chocolate chips. For easy rolling, you can freeze this peanut butter oat mixture for 10-20 minutes before rolling into balls. It makes it so much easier to form.
- Roll into 1 1/2 to 2 inch, bite sized balls, or whatever size you like best. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- For vegan oatmeal balls, use all maple syrup and make sure your chocolate chips are vegan as well. For gluten free, use gluten free oats.
- Seriously, change up the chocolate chips each time you make these peanut butter energy bites. I am obsessed with using white chocolate chips lately. Sometimes, I don’t use any chips either ( I know, I know) just to have something different. You can also add a drizzle of chocolate instead on top.
- If you are having a hard time forming these energy bites into balls, pop them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. That usually helps a bit. You can also press them into a small pan and make them into bars instead.
Storage:
For best results, store these no bake peanut butter oatmeal balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. I like to let them sit out for about 10 minutes or so to come to room temperature before eating.
To freeze, place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or defrost in the microwave in 10-15 second increments.
Check out these other snacks:
- Copycat Perfect Bar Recipe
- Blueberry Lemon Energy Bites
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars
- Pecan Pie Energy Bites
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- German Chocolate Cake Balls
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
These simple and no bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls take less than 10 minutes to make and are full of hearty oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and a handful of other ingredients. Easy to customize and super kid friendly, this recipe is the fuel you will love to energize you throughout the day!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats, regular or gluten free
- 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter, almond butter will work if you have a peanut allergy
- 1/2 cup flaxmeal
- 2 T 100% pure maple syrup
- 2-3 T honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼-⅓ c chocolate chips
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- optional add ins: shredded coconut, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, etc.
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Instructions
- Combine the ingredients except the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Stir well to combine.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- For easy rolling, freeze the mixture for 10-20 minutes before rolling into balls. It makes it so much easier to form.
- Roll into 1 1/2 to 2 inch, bite sized balls, or whatever size you like best. Enjoy!
Notes
- If the mixture doesn’t seem thick of sturdy enough, add another 1/4 cup of oats or so. Different peanut butters can alter the thickness of the recipe.
- I use creamy, natural peanut butter–the kind you have to stir. I find this kind of peanut butter to be the best for recipes like this. It is so much easier to stir and incorporate into the mixture.
- Seriously, change up the chocolate chips each time you make these peanut butter energy bites. I am obsessed with using white chocolate chips lately. Sometimes, I don’t use any chips either ( I know, I know) just to have something different. You can also add a drizzle of chocolate instead on top.
Nutrition
Calories: 131kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 83mg, Potassium: 125mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question?Leave a comment below!
Love these easy to make. I didn’t have creamy peanut butter instead I used chunky. Taste great!!!!
My husband prefers them with the crunchy! Yay!
Too dry to roll into balls, tastes good though
Sorry to hear this! What kind of peanut butter did you use? That can make a difference. You can easily add more maple or honey next time to moisten it up a bit. That should do the trick!
Can you make these without flax? Thanks!
Hi Jordyn! You can make these without flax, just add in extra oats instead. Start with about 1/3 cup extra oats and adjust as needed from there.
Delicious! I love making these to have after a gym workout or a hike.
SO glad you loved them Laura–we pretty much live on these over here!