The easiest snack you'll make all week! Peanut butter Oatmeal Balls are one of those back-pocket recipes every busy family needs. Made with simple pantry staples like peanut butter, oats, ground flaxseed, and honey, they come together in just 5 minutes.

Over the years, we've called these everything from "energy bites" to "peanut butter balls," depending on which kid you ask. Regardless of what you name them, they disappear fast!
They're soft, chewy, perfectly sweet, and incredibly satisfying. Pair these pb oatmeal balls with coffee for a quick breakfast, enjoy them with a glass of milk, or stash a batch in the fridge for grab-and-go fuel all week long.
And just like my Peanut Butter Protein Bars, these peanut butter oatmeal balls aren't just delicious - they're nutrient-dense, too. With fiber, healthy fats, and plant-based protein, they're a snack you can feel good about serving... and eating right alongside your kids.
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy I've made this recipe more times than I can count - perfect snack for school lunches, sports practices, road trips, and those mid-afternoon snack attacks at home.
- Simple Ingredients Peanut butter, rolled oats, flax meal, honey, and chocolate chips. Simple, shelf stable pantry ingredients.
- Meal Prep I like to make a triple batch of this recipe because they freeze well.
- Kid-Approved When nutritious snacks are visible and ready to grab, everyone is more likely to eat them.
✔️ Ingredient Notes

- Oats Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats. They provide a source of soluble fiber, which is good for the heart and will help your kids feel full longer.
- Peanut Butter Use smooth, all-natural peanut butter (the kind that is made with just peanuts and salt, no added sugar) for this recipe because the consistency really works best for mixing.
- Honey I use raw local honey because of its many potential health benefits. But that's just me. Use what you have!
- Flax Meal Use ground flaxseeds (flax meal), not whole flaxseeds for optimal texture and digestibility. Flax seeds are high in fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals.
- Chocolate Chips Use standard or mini-sized, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls Mix in two tablespoons of cocoa powder, two teaspoons of cinnamon, and two additional tablespoons of both peanut butter and honey. This version will make a few more balls and tastes chocolatey even without chocolate chips!
- High Protein Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls Stir in one-quarter cup of protein powder, two additional tablespoons of peanut butter, and one-and-a-half additional tablespoons of honey. I've used Superfood Protein by Choice Juicery (not an affiliate link).
👩🍳 How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

Here's a quick overview of the steps to make these peanut butter oat balls. For the full list of ingredients and complete instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Stir all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl.
- Use your hands or fingers to roll them into bite-sized balls (can use a cookie scoop to make this step easier). Store in an airtight container and refrigerate or store in the freezer.
💡 Helpful Tips
- To make this recipe strictly gluten-free, use Certified Gluten-Free Oats.
- Having your hands slightly wet will help make rolling these into balls easier.
- This recipe is easily doubled and tripled. In fact, I almost always triple this recipe because it makes measuring easier and they store so well in the freezer.
- Feel free to incorporate your favorite add-ins. Example: chia seeds can be used in place of flax meal. Also, shredded coconut can be mixed in for a taste of coconut.
- Want to increase the protein? Stir in a tablespoon or two of hemp seeds or add a scoop of vanilla protein powder. You may need an extra spoonful of peanut butter to keep the texture just right.
❓ Questions You May Have
Smooth almond butter or sunflower seed butter!
I have made these using crunchy and smooth almond butter as well as a mixture of nut butters. They are always a hit!
You can easily substitute wheat germ, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, or chia seeds in place of flax meal.
I would think maple syrup would work as a substitute, but you'll want to use less of it.
Did you make these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls and love them? Please leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below to let me know. A 5-star review is the best compliment!
Don't forget to tag me @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram when you make them. Enjoy!
📖 Recipe

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats Old-fashioned rolled oats.
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter The kind of peanut butter made with only peanuts and salt. Use when the peanut butter is at room temperature.
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon honey in addition to the 3 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon flax meal Ground flaxseeds.
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well, until all ingredients are combined.1 cup rolled oats, ⅓ cup natural peanut butter, 3 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon flax meal, 1 tablespoon chocolate chips
- Use your hands or a cookie scoop to roll the mixture into balls, about one inch in diameter.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container to set. Enjoy!
Notes
- I find that it's easiest to roll these into balls when my hands are damp with water before rolling.
- The consistency of these energy balls will depend on the consistency of the peanut butter used. Feel free to adjust the amount of peanut butter or honey to get the desired consistency. This recipe is very flexible!
- This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. They freeze well!
- Chia seeds, coconut flakes, or hemp hearts can be used in place of flax meal.









Melissa says
Made this today with my toddler and it was such a treat! I added shredded coconut 👌. thanks Kristi!!
Kristi says
So great! Thanks for letting me know, Melissa!
Jackie says
Great breakfast for my 1st grader as we are running out the door!
Kristi says
Yay! These are the best for that!
Laura says
What a great “go to” snack for hungry kiddos and growing teenage athletes!
Kristi says
I couldn't agree more!