Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls

Make a batch of these no-bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls to have on hand for hungry kiddos during the week—or to feed yourself a naturally sweet snack whenever you need one! They taste so good and are filled with nutritious ingredients. Plus: They’re ready in under 10 minutes!

Before anyone states the obvious, I do realize that most toddlers do not need more energy! They usually have plenty all on their own. But these “energy balls” are such a delicious (and easy snack) full of nutritious ingredients for little bodies.

These are an easy snack to make at home and keep in the fridge. Plus, you don’t need to use any fancy ingredients or complicated methods to make these energy bites. You simply warm the wet ingredients and stir them into the dry—all in under 10 minutes.

And they have a texture that’s sort of like cookie dough so they’re great for younger toddlers, too—just dice them up if needed.

We love these for afternoon snack with some milk, as an easy bedtime snack, or a quick on-the-go bite.

(You may also like Peanut Butter Muffins, Bliss Balls, and no-bake Chewy Granola Bars, and Chocolate Balls.)

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at the pantry ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe to share with the kids so you know what to have on hand.

• Creamy unsweetened peanut butter: I like the “natural” kind from Smuckers or Teddies, but any brand will do.
• Honey: The honey in this recipe helps the bites hold together. You can also swap in brown rice syrup for a less sweet taste.
• Vanilla extract: You can use pure or imitation vanilla extract here.
• Rolled oats: You can use the oats as they are out of the canister or bag, or you can grind them up in a food processor or blender to make a finer texture. (We like them ground up so the bites have the texture of cookie dough.)
• Chia seeds: These little seeds add some texture and additional fats. You can omit them if you don’t have them.
• Raisins or chocolate chips: Add these in for more flavor and yumminess.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at how to make this easy energy ball recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.

1. Warm the peanut butter and honey. Stir together
2. Cut the raisins in half, if large, to make the balls easier to bite into for the little eaters.
3. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and stir together.
4. Roll into balls.

TIP: The recipe works with regular oats, but grinding the oats—or using quick oats or oat flour—makes the balls taste more like cookie dough. You can skip the chia seeds if you don’t have any!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store

You can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They will likely be gobbled up well before that. though—I make these as much for my kids as I do for myself. I store each batch in a quart-size mason jar in the fridge and cut them up for younger eaters to ensure they are easy to chew.

Best Tips for Success

• Grind the oats in a blender or food processor. Or use quick oats or oat flour. This will make the final texture smoother and more like cookie dough.
• Cut the raisins in half if they are very large so they are easier for the kids to bite into and chew.
• Warm the peanut butter and honey so they are easy to stir into the other ingredients.
• Use sunflower seed butter to make these nut-free.
• Use a tablespoon, measuring spoon, or a small spoon to portion out the dough.
• Cut up if needed to serve to younger kids.
• If they feel too firm for younger eaters, simply let sit at room temperature for a bit before storing.
• Use mini chocolate chips instead of raisins if you prefer.

Related Recipes

Snacks

Easy Graham Cracker Peanut Butter Balls

Snacks

Easy No-Bake Energy Bites

Snacks

Easy Granola Bites

Desserts

Favorite No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

I’d love to hear your feedback on the recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share!

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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls

These no-bake bites taste like a cross between oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookie dough. I use natural creamy peanut butter (like the kind from Smuckers), and it works really well.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

4.94 from 130 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes minutes

10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Snack

Calories 122kcal

Servings 12 balls

Ingredients

1x2x3x

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ ½ cup creamy unsweetened peanut butter
• ▢ ¼ cup honey
• ▢ 1 cup rolled oats ground into a coarse flour in a blender or food processor (or use quick oats or oat flour)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• ▢ ¼ cup raisins, cut in half (optional, but recommended for overall texture)

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Instructions

• Place the peanut butter and honey in a heat-proof container (such as a glass measuring cup) and warm for 15-30 seconds in the microwave.
• Add to a medium bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
• Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon as much as you can. If the dough is at all stiff, mix with clean hands.
• Use a tablespoon-size measuring spoon to portion and roll into balls. Squeeze the batter, then roll it into a ball to help it hold together easily.
• Serve or store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. 

Equipment

• Mixing Bowl
• Storage Containers

Notes

• To store, place in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Let sit at room temperature to soften slightly if needed for your toddler. 
• If you don’t have chia seeds on hand, you can simply skip them.
• Nut-free: Use Sunbutter or another sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
• Grind the oats in a blender or food processor or use quick oats or oat flour. This will make the final texture smoother and more like cookie dough.
• Cut the raisins in half if they are very large so they are easier for the kids to bite into and chew.
• Warm the peanut butter and honey so they are easy to stir into the other ingredients.
• Use a tablespoon measuring spoon or a small spoon to portion out the dough.
• Cut up if needed to serve to younger kids.
• Try snipped dried cherries, cranberries, or apricots instead of the raisins.
• Use mini chocolate chips instead of raisins.

Nutrition

Calories: 122kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 51mg, Potassium: 125mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

This recipe was first published June 2017.