Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls (No-Bake!)

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.

❤️ 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.

🙋‍♀️ Dietitian Tip

Oats and honey provide quick energy, while peanut butter and flaxseed add protein, healthy fats, and fiber - a combination that helps stabilize blood sugar and keeps you satisfied longer than a carb-only snack.

✔️ 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.

1. Stir all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. 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

Related

• Peanut Butter Protein Bars
• Peanut Butter Sauce for Pasta
• Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

More Snack Recipes

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!