Stir together a few simple pantry staples to make the yummiest no-bake snack or dessert. These Graham Cracker Peanut Butter Balls are bite-size bliss with a distinctly s’mores vibe. Yum.
Graham Cracker Peanut Butter Balls
You know how as a parent, there are weeks when it seems like you can only eat with one hand? Me too. This recipe is helpful because you can pop one into your mouth to satisfy hunger or a craving, easy peasy. Plus, you can make them in about 5-minutes without any special equipment, which makes them even better in my book!
I like to make these as an after school snack option for myself and the kids, or for a healthy dessert option. My toddler often helps me stir the batter together and roll up the balls too.
And these are what I make when I wind up with graham crackers no one wants to eat or lingering graham cracker crumbs.
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
To make this snack recipe, you need to have the following ingredients ready to go.
- Rolled oats: I use regular rolled oats here, which are sometimes called “old-fashioned” oats at the store. You can also use instant oats if that’s what you have.
- Peanut butter: I usually use unsweetened creamy peanut butter here, though you could use sunflower seed butter if you prefer to make them nut-free.
- Honey: Honey is helpful as its stickiness helps the balls hold together well.
- Graham cracker crumbs: You can use a box of pre-made graham cracker crumbs or you can grind up full graham crackers in a food processor.
- Chocolate chips, and/or dried fruit, optional: We like these with chocolate chips, but dried fruit work too. You can also leave them plain.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full information with amounts and timing.
- Add the ingredients to a bowl.
- Stir together well.
- Add the chocolate chips or dried fruit, if desired.
- Roll into balls.
TIP: You can coat in additional graham cracker crumbs if desired.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, these are best if they’ve chilled for at least 30 minutes (which helps the oats to soften), but you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Are these the same as Graham Balls?
They have a sort of similar flavor, but they have different ingredients. (Graham Balls usually are made with sweetened condensed milk.)
How can I make these nut-free?
You can swap sunflower seed butter in for the peanut butter if you’d like.
Best Tips for Success
- Use smooth, natural-style peanut butter at room temperature.
- Use honey at room temperature.
- Use mini chocolate chips or chop up regular sized ones for the best distribution of chocolate flavor.
- Let chill for 30 minutes before eating so the oats can soften a bit.
- Roll balls in additional graham cracker crumbs if you like.
- Gluten-free: Use GF graham cracker crumbs if desired.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share!
Graham Crackers Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter ( or sunflower seed butter; at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (chopped up, mini chocolate chips, or dried fruit; optional)
- 2 tablespoons additional graham cracker crumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a medium bowl. Stir.
- Stir in the chocolate chips or dried fruit, if using and stir together. (The mixture is thick!)
- Using a tablespoon measuring spoon and your hands, shape mixture into balls.
- Roll in additional graham cracker crumbs if desired. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving (this allows the oats to soften.)
Notes
- Use smooth, natural-style peanut butter at room temperature.
- Use honey at room temperature.
- Use mini chocolate chips or chop up regular sized ones for the best distribution of chocolate flavor.
- Let chill for 30 minutes before eating so the oats can soften a bit.
- Roll balls in additional graham cracker crumbs if you like.
- Gluten-free: Use GF graham cracker crumbs if desired.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
Nutrition
This post was first published February 2021.
Is it possible to use maple syrup and molasses for sweetness and stickiness.
I haven’t made them that way but it might work!
Do you think I could subsitute the Oats for Quinoa flakes (or something else?) My son can’t have oat.
Yes, quinoa flakes are usually my recommended substitute.
One of our favorite snacks! My toddler (and his mom and dad 😉 ) love these. So yummy and easy to throw together with pantry ingredients.
Hi My 18 month old grandson is too young to eat honey. Can I substitute Maple Syrup?
Honey is only a no-go for babies under one. It works better here than maple syrup.
https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/when-can-babies-have-honey/
Can you freeze a batch of these and just defrost what you need?
Totally!
Delicious. I made them with chopped up Lindt milk chocolate and dried cranberries.
What should I do if they are too sticky?
Chill them briefly!
Can you sub agave or maple syrup for the honey?
Neither of them are the same stickiness so it won’t work as well.
This is a family favorite. We all love to grab one for a quick snack! They’re perfect to pop in the lunchbox too.
how do you store these? in the fridge?
yes, in a container in the fridge.
So good and easy! Great for school lunches!
Love these