Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls (No Bake!) ~ Veggie Inspired

Name: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: [1 3/4 cups gluten free rolled oats]; [1/4 cup hulled hemp seeds]; [1/4 cup flax meal]; 2 tablespoons cacao nibs; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional); [1 cup organic natural creamy peanut butter]; 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)

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With superfoods like hemp seeds, flax seeds, and cacao nibs these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls are the perfect little bites to keep hunger at bay. Great for a grab-n-go breakfasts or snacks. Made in just 10 minutes!

Three oatmeal peanut butter balls beside a glass of milk.

Before you reach for another cup of coffee, try popping one or two easy Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls! These no bake energy balls are full of nutritious ingredients. They’re hearty and filling and just one or two will keep you satisfied until your next meal. Bonus – they satisfy those sweet tooth cravings.

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Ingredients you need

Recipe ingredients arrayed in individual bowls. — *Ingredients: rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, flax meal, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, pure maple syrup, and pure vanilla extract.*

Oats: Oats are known as a superfood. They are whole grain, loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals. They’re also incredibly versatile. Be sure to use raw rolled oats, sometimes labeled as Old Fashioned Oats.

Steel cut oats will not work.

Peanut Butter: Peanut Butter Balls have to have peanut butter! Choose a natural, unsweetened brand. The only ingredients should be peanuts and, maybe, salt. This one from Costo is my fave! This one is also great.

If for some reason you’re aren’t a fan, any nut butter would work. You could even use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.

Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds are an easily digestible complete protein. They contain healthy fats, iron, vitamin E, and fiber as well.

Flaxmeal: Flax seeds are high in fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, and protein.

Cacao Nibs: Cacao nibs are so much healthier than chocolate chips! They’re naturally low in sugar and boast fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and healthy fats. [source] Plus, they have a great little crunch, which I love in these otherwise fairly soft oatmeal peanut butter balls.

Chocolate chips, raisins or dried cranberries would be tasty substitutions or add-ins.

Sweetener: I like pure maple syrup. Agave could be used in place of the maple syrup if you prefer.

How to make Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls

These easy snack bites come together quickly with just a mixing bowl and spatula, no special equipment needed!

4 photo collage of mixing the ingredients to form a dough.

Place all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl (1). Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract (2). If your peanut butter is on the thicker side, it helps to warm up in the microwave for a few seconds until it’s a bit runny.

Mix the dry and wet ingredients well (3) until it comes together and a dough is formed (4). It should come together and hold easily when pressed.

3 photo collage of scooping and forming the peanut butter balls.

Scoop the dough 1 tablespoon at a time with a small cookie scoop (5) or spoon. With clean hands, roll the dough into a smooth little ball (6). Repeat with remaining mixture until all of it has been used (7).

Oatmeal peanut butter balls arranged on a white plate.

Storage

Store them in an air tight container in the fridge for about a week. Or you can freeze them for long term storage.

Tips for freezing: Place the energy bites in one even layer on a large plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Stick the plate or baking sheet in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours until until frozen. Transfer them to a freezer safe bag for storage.

We love them straight from the freezer, but you can let them sit out on the counter for a bit to soften, if you prefer.

Close up of three protein balls in front of a red bowl.

Recipe pro tips for success

Use raw rolled oats. Steel cut oats won’t work. Neither will cooked oatmeal.

Stay away from unnecessary added sugar by choosing natural peanut butter with just peanuts and, maybe, salt, as ingredients.

Natural peanut butter separates in the jar. Be sure it is mixed very well so that the oils are evenly distributed throughout, otherwise your peanut butter will be too dry. If your peanut butter is very thick, even after stirring well, heat it up for 20 seconds or so to make it a bit more runny.

Don’t add too many extra add-ins. It can be tempting to load these up with nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips. The more you add, the harder it will be for the little balls to hold together. Choose add-ins that are small, like mini chocolate chips, or be sure to chop them up.

If the oatmeal peanut butter balls are crumbling when you’re rolling them, you may need an extra tablespoon or two of maple syrup. You can also use a few tablespoons of water if you don’t want to add any extra sugar.

If the dough is so sticky that it’s sticking to your hands making them hard to roll, add a few more tablespoons of oats or flaxmeal. The dough should be moist, but should leave very little residue on your hands when rolling.

To make these nut-free, use sunflower seed butter.

To make these gluten-free, choose certified gluten free oats.

Protein Balls FAQ

Are protein balls healthy?

Store bought protein bars, balls, and cookies can be loaded with questionable ingredients and refined sugar. This homemade version is a much healthier choice. These delicious little oatmeal peanut butter balls are not only delicious, but also contain plenty of protein and have superfoods hidden inside!

Can you eat raw oats in energy balls?

Yes! Raw oats are completely edible and their chewy texture is perfect for adding to these peanut butter balls.

When should you eat energy balls?

Whenever you’re hungry! They are convenient for a grab-n-go breakfast. Perfect for an afternoon snack. Great for keeping hunger at bay between meals. A tasty way to curb your sweet tooth after dinner.

Hand picking up one bite out of small red bowl.

More vegan energy balls and bars

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