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!
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls
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 ahead 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.
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.
I would like to ask if I use quick oats, do I need to blend it?
Nope!
I haven’t tried these yet as my son isn’t a fan of peanut/nut butter… we are working on it.
I noticed you nut free comment and thought I would mention I found a similar (but not as few ingredients) that used Coconut Butter instead of peanut/nut butter. So might be an option for your recipe as well 🙂
I look forward to trying more of your tips with my sensory eater (very much not picky, he just has a real issue with texture… ) But he is still growing and still happy… just doesn’t like to eat! Ever!
Thank you, I’ll look for some coconut butter! And I’m glad that your little guy is growing and happy–texture preferences/issues can be a challenge so hang in there!
Hi, can I use maple syrup instead of honey? Can’t wait to try them! Thanks
It won’t be sticky enough but if you’re wanting something other than honey, you could try brown rice syrup which is sold near the sugar in most baking aisles.
Massive hit in our house and they are only made 30 mins ago! So easy to make and a massive saving in money from the shop bought ones! Thank you
Omg, these taste amazeballs (lol)! I didn’t even make them for my son (he’s only 10 months old so no honey for him yet); I made them for myself for a guilt-free snack and I am so glad I did. Just a note: I used mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and they melted as I mixed the dough. So, as a tip, I’d add to let the dough chill a little cooler than room temp first, then fold in the chocolate chips. Thanks for the recipe! I’m sure they won’t last me long.
I’ve made these twice now. And both times my daughter eats her serving and then I eat the rest – in one day! They are delicious!
I’m so glad you both enjoy them!
Are these recommended for 10-12 month olds?
No since they have honey in them. You could omit the honey and use a little extra peanut butter to bind them together if you want.
What if I don’t have raisins or chia seeds. What can I use as a substitute for both?
You can omit the chia seeds and use any dried fruit you like in place of the raisins.
Hi Amy,
I’ve been trying your recipes for a couple of months now and I can say that everything always turns out delicious! My teething and picky 15 month old devoured these this morning. Looking forward to trying even more of your recipes! Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that!
I’ve made these twice. Both times with steel cut oats finely processed. The first time was great. The second they are super crumbly. Any thoughts? Maybe I ground them up too much? I’m pretty sure I used the same oatmeal both times! (Great easy recipe!)
Hmmm, I’m not sure because I’ve never made them with steel cut oats (though it’s good to know that it works!) but if that happens again, simply add another spoonful of peanut butter and a little more honey and that should do the trick!
Can you use steel cut oats when making these?
I wouldn’t recommend it as they would likely not soften well.
They taste amazing and my toddler loves it but rolling them was a really difficult and the mix only made about 8 balls. Is there a trick to rolling them in balls, I felt like I needed some flour. Thank you x
Hi! It sounds like they weren’t cold enough to roll them without them being sticky. I’d suggest popping them back into the fridge next time so they firm up.
Is it 9.9g of sugar per ball? Any idea how it tastes if I cut the sugar say in half?
Yes and the sugar is from the honey and a little from the raisins. They may not hold together well without the honey. You could make them half the size by using a teaspoon measuring spoon to portion them out though.
Hi, can these be frozen? Thanks.
I haven’t tried freezing them but they do last for a while in the fridge so I’d recommend that!
I just made a batch (delicious!) and keep them in a jar in the freezer. My 2 year old thinks they’re a yummy ‘ice cream’ treat.
such a good idea!
looking forward to making these, will this recipe work with natural peanut butter?
Absolutely, it’s what I use!
I’ll have to try these. Thanks for sharing. I’m always looking for snack and meal ideas. I’m glad I found your site.
I’m so glad you found it and I’m happy to hear that it’s helpful!