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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls

    Published: Nov 3, 2020 by Jenn Sebestyen

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    Plate of oatmeal peanut butter balls.
    Hand holding one oatmeal peanut butter ball above a red bowl.
    Plate of oatmeal peanut butter balls.
    recipe image for Pinterest

    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.

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Ingredients you need
    2 How to make the recipe
    3 Storage and freezing
    4 Pro tips and tricks
    5 FAQ
    6 More vegan energy balls and bars
    7 Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls

    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 the recipe

    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.
    Love this white flat bowl? Use code VeggieIns for 15% off your order at Off Your Rocker Pottery!

    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.

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

    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

    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

    • 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.

    Be sure to sign up for my FREE Newsletter to be the first to get my NEW recipes! You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.


    For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!

    Three oatmeal peanut butter balls beside a glass of milk.

    Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls

    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 breakfast option as well.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snacks
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 18
    Calories: 165kcal
    Author: Jenn Sebestyen

    Recommended Equipment

    • Large mixing bowl
    • Spatula
    • Small cookie scoop

    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

    *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.
    *These can be frozen! 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. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1grams | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g

    Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.

    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Veggie_Inspired or tag #VeggieInspired!

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    Comments

    1. Srikanth Dudaka says

      June 24, 2021 at 4:06 pm

      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. 5 stars

      Reply
    2. ~t. says

      February 06, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      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.5 stars

      Reply
      • Jenn Sebestyen says

        February 07, 2021 at 10:35 am

        I’m so glad you love them! Thank you for your feedback!

        Reply
    3. Rachelle says

      July 02, 2019 at 12:08 am

      Great recipe! Do you cook the oats first ?

      Reply
      • Jenn Sebestyen says

        July 02, 2019 at 9:19 am

        Nope, use raw oats! Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Joan LoDUca says

      February 20, 2019 at 6:47 pm

      Is the serving size of 165 calories for one tablespoon size ball?

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        February 22, 2019 at 7:51 am

        Roughly, yes.

        Reply
    5. Terri Edwards says

      May 03, 2018 at 9:27 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        May 03, 2018 at 11:36 am

        Thanks, Terri! They freeze really well – I did that with my last batch. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Maureen says

      April 29, 2018 at 6:41 pm

      I like this recipe because you can mix and match ingredients and it is simple.

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        April 29, 2018 at 9:57 pm

        Thank you, Maureen. Definitely easy to customize.

        Reply
    7. Edyta at Innocent Delight says

      April 27, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      You used all my favorite ingredients here. I need to make these balls. They look and sounds fantastic.5 stars

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        April 27, 2018 at 9:48 pm

        Thank you, Edyta! Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. sue | theviewfromgreatisland says

      April 27, 2018 at 10:19 am

      What a great after school snack, ~ like cookies and milk, but so much better!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        April 27, 2018 at 9:47 pm

        Yes, totally! Thanks, Sue!

        Reply
    9. Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen says

      April 27, 2018 at 9:55 am

      My kids would go crazy for this as an afterschool snack. I’m going to try it this week!5 stars

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        April 27, 2018 at 9:47 pm

        I hope they love them as much a my kids did! Thanks, Ruthy!

        Reply
    10. Annie @ Annie's Noms says

      April 27, 2018 at 9:39 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        April 27, 2018 at 9:47 pm

        HaHa! Yes, hard to eat just one! Thanks, Annie!

        Reply
    11. Leslie says

      April 27, 2018 at 9:19 am

      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!5 stars

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        April 27, 2018 at 9:25 am

        I totally understand. Most schools are going nut-free these days. Sunbutter for school treats, peanut butter for after school snacks! 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply

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    Jenn Sebestyen of Veggie Inspired

    Hi, I'm Jenn! This is where I share delicious plant based recipes for the whole family. I love to cook; I can read cookbooks like novels; and I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen by making standard American favorites healthier.

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