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.)
Table of Contents
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.
- Warm the peanut butter and honey. Stir together
- Cut the raisins in half, if large, to make the balls easier to bite into for the little eaters.
- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and stir together.
- 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
Sure, just use mini chocolate chips in place of the raisins! That will definitely taste like cookie dough and I expect will make the kids really happy. (And probably the grown ups too!)
If you can’t do peanut butter in your house or you need a nut-free snack to send to preschool or school, try these energy bites with sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. They should work just fine and taste similar.
Sure thing, just reach for certified gluten-free rolled oats and you should be good to go.
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
I’d love to hear your feedback on the recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share!
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 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)
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
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
This recipe was first published June 2017.
These are delicious. My two year old grandson likes them also. They are an easy snack to make and to grab.
We love this recipe. Myself, 2, 3, and 4 year old. I will say I get really tired of making a million little balls so I just threw everything in a food processor spooned it into a parchment lined baking pan and refrigerated and then I cut into squares just tip for any other super busy moms.
Thank you for these! I am a 27-year-old with no children, but I make these for myself for a quick snack before working out in the morning. I love these as an alternative to store-bought mini energy bars, because I can control what is in them and they are far less expensive, especially because I keep all the ingredients in the house for other things anyway. Definitely recommend not skimping on the honey — I did not have enough the first time I made them and they stick together much better with the right amount. Thanks for making home-made snacking accessible to all!
I’m so glad to hear that!
Great after-school snack for my hungry, growing boys (ages 8,5,3). They prefer mini chocolate chips vs raisins. Thank you, Amy!
Do you think I could add duocal high calorie supplement powder to these if I increased the wet ingredients a bit?
I bet you could!
Question-can I sub with Almond flour or meal to cut down glucose spike from oats? If so, would it be the same amount?
I make the original ones for work and the kids love them but need to reduce spike for our home. Thank you!
Hi- What ingredient are you looking to use that in place of?
I’m saving this recipe for sure — but also had to tell you I squealed, “that sweet little hand!” when I saw the first photo on the post. What a delight!
Awe, I love that reaction!
Can I grind the chia seeds with the oats?
Sure
I made a double batch of the original recipe for my husband and I because I don’t think they’ll last very long. I also made a single batch with sunflower butter for my toddler with a peanut allergy. He’ll be so excited to snack on these!! I’m a big fan of all of your recipes. Thank you!
Do these work in the freezer? Wanting to prep some for postpartum.
Yes!
What age can you serve this at? Thinking about my one year old, should I serve it any differently? Thanks!
You can serve them to a one year old, I’d just dice up into littler pieces so they’re easy to chew.
Do you need to soak the chia seeds in advance for these?
You do not!
Would agave work instead of honey?
I haven’t tried that and it may not be sticky enough but it could work!
Ok the problem with these is that they’re TOO good and I just want to eat them all. I make a double batch every time.
I plan on making these for my son! Would using maple syrup in place of honey work?
They don’t hold together quite as well with maple syrup since it’s not as sticky.
Could I roll these out and cut into shapes instead of balls? Or would they not hold together?
You could press it into a 8×8 pan, chill and use a cookie cutter if the dough is very cold. I doubt it would roll though.
These are delicious and I didn’t add raisins due to not having them, but they were still delicious!
So glad!