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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!
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.
Ingredients you need
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 the recipe
These easy snack bites come together quickly with just a mixing bowl and spatula, no special equipment needed!
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.
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).
Storage and freezing
Fridge: Store them in an air tight container in the fridge for about a week.
Freezer: You can also freeze them! 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.
Pro tips and tricks
~ 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.
FAQ
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!
Yes! Raw oats are completely edible and their chewy texture is perfect for adding to these peanut butter 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.
More vegan energy balls and bars
- Lemon Coconut Date Balls
- Sunflower Fig Balls
- Sugar Free Apple Pie Bars
- Ancient Grains Breakfast Bars
- Cinnamon Chickpea Truffles
- Coconut Bliss Balls
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups gluten free rolled oats
- ¼ cup hulled hemp seeds
- ¼ cup flax meal
- 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 1 cup organic natural creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Place all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. 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 until it comes together and a dough is formed. It should come together and hold easily when pressed.
- Taking 1 tablespoon of mixture at a time, gently press/roll the mixture into a ball. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Eat immediately or store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Rose says
do you think it’d work to add vegan protein powder to this recipe?
Jenn Sebestyen says
Sure. Just reduce the oats or flax by the amount of protein powder you add (1-2 tablespoons should be plenty). Enjoy!
Srikanth Dudaka says
Wonderful article and quality info. Cacao nibs and raw cocoa beans have many health benefits. Especially to control diabetes and to keep our heart healthy cacao products does a good job.
~t. says
I’ve tried several versions of little treats like this. These are by far the most delicious and likely the healthiest, too. I will keep these stocked in my freezer – they are delicious frozen or not. I appreciate the notes, too; helpful hints are so welcome and do make things easier with a new recipe.
Jenn Sebestyen says
I’m so glad you love them! Thank you for your feedback!
Rachelle says
Great recipe! Do you cook the oats first ?
Jenn Sebestyen says
Nope, use raw oats! Enjoy!
Joan LoDUca says
Is the serving size of 165 calories for one tablespoon size ball?
Jenn S. says
Roughly, yes.
Terri Edwards says
We constantly get asked about power-packed snacks that people can take with them for outdoor sports. These look perfect for something like that. I’m picturing freezing them and then storing in a lunch cooler for outdoor hiking, biking, etc. Thanks so much for the recipe to share!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Terri! They freeze really well – I did that with my last batch. Enjoy!
Maureen says
I like this recipe because you can mix and match ingredients and it is simple.
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Maureen. Definitely easy to customize.
Edyta at Innocent Delight says
You used all my favorite ingredients here. I need to make these balls. They look and sounds fantastic.
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Edyta! Enjoy!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
What a great after school snack, ~ like cookies and milk, but so much better!
Jenn S. says
Yes, totally! Thanks, Sue!
Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen says
My kids would go crazy for this as an afterschool snack. I’m going to try it this week!
Jenn S. says
I hope they love them as much a my kids did! Thanks, Ruthy!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
You had me at no bake!! These look amazing and the perfect post workout snack! Although, they also look moreish, so I think someone would need to take them away from me sharpish!
Jenn S. says
HaHa! Yes, hard to eat just one! Thanks, Annie!
Leslie says
I always wanted to make protein balls for my kids, but school restrictions made them seem out of reach. Thanks for the suggestion to use sunflower butter for a nut-free option!
Jenn S. says
I totally understand. Most schools are going nut-free these days. Sunbutter for school treats, peanut butter for after school snacks! 🙂 Enjoy!