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.
Made these several times now, my toddler and 6 year old love them. My toddler is in the 10th percentile for weight so I’m always looking for high calorie, healthy snacks. Really appreciate this recipe!
So quick and easy! I made these with my honey obsessed 3.5 year old and she LOVES them. I added some hemp hearts along with the chia seeds and it worked great.
These are great, made with my son, an trying to help him gain some weight so thought these would be a good snack. He loves making and eating them!
I’ve tried this recipe twice and my dough ends up super dry and flakey and doesn’t come together at all. I tried adding a little coconut oil for moisture – didn’t really make a difference. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. They are tasty but completely fall apart even after refrigeration. Any suggestions?
Perhaps the peanut butter you’re using is simply a different moisture level than mine? I would try adding a little more peanut butter and honey and see if that helps.
Love this. I press the dough into a square pan/Tupperware and then cut out small bars instead of making balls. Also I add 1/4 cup of shredded coconut. My honey is pretty sweet so even with unsweetened Sunbutter it’s pretty rich. But delicious and a big hit with my 2 yr old. 😊
That’s a great idea!
Can these be frozen?
I haven’t ever frozen them but I’ve had them in the fridge for weeks and they still taste the same if in an airtight container.
These are a big favorite with our grandson `( 13 months old) I used Coaches Oats ( brand) and so there was no need to use a blender or food processor. I used kitchen scissors to cut the ravines into tiny pieces and then place the raisins in a cup of boiling water for about 2 minutes . Then drain the raisins thoroughly before adding them. This helps to soften the raisins for toddlers who do not have back teeth. I did not use chia seeds. Making these often!
Is honey ok for 13 month old babies? I’m hesitant to make it bec of that
Honey is no longer a concern for kids after they turn 12 months: https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/when-can-babies-have-honey/
Made these today. Super easy to make and really nice! We’re vegan so we used agave instead of honey and I don’t have a microwave so I softened the peanut butter in a metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Worked really well!Thank you for the recipe.
Awesome!
Just made these and they are Delish! I doubled the recipe and used 1/2 honey and 1/2 maple syrup as I didn’t have enough honey. And then 1/2 PB and 1/2 crunchy almond butter and they turned out really good. I froze mind so then my 2yr old wouldn’t shove the whole thing in her mouth. LOVE the tip to grind up the oats, solved my past problems of them being crumbly
How about if I don’t have honey but have maple syrup? Would that work?
Honey is best as it ensures that the balls hold together well.
Are the nutritional facts for the entire recipe or for 1 ball? The serving size seems to suggest the whole recipe but I wasn’t sure. Thanks!
It’s for 1 ball if you make 12. If you make more or less, it will vary slightly.
I made these today and they taste good, but VERY soft and sticky. They don’t hold shape well. I’m guessing I need more oats. I used kitchen scale to measure all ingredients to the correct gram and followed recipe exactly. I used natural peanut butter that is kinda runny. It’s the Crazy Richards brand. I always stir PB first to make it blend better and not quite as runny. I wonder if the runniness of PB is my issue. Again they taste great, but even after 4 hrs in fridge they are very tacky to touch and squish super easily. Was hoping for more of cookie dough consistency. I’ll have to try again and increase amount of oats. Anyone else have this issue?
I would stir in more oats. It’s possible the peanut butter you’re using is thinner than what I use and that could cause the difference. It should be cookie dough consistency.
I’ve made these so many times. It’s a staple snack for us! I keep them in the freezer and take a couple with us on our morning walks for my daughter.
I’m so glad to hear that!
Just made this recipe and used milled flax seed because I didn’t have any chia seeds and they came out so delicious! My son is currently sitting at his little table munching on a few with some unsweetened vanilla oat milk. Thank you for providing the nutrition facts as well, they are so useful! Thanks Amy 🙂
Melissa
I’m so glad to hear that!
Just made this with mini chocolate chips and yum! Definitely ate a few more than I planned on. My son has been wolfing down Zbars as of late and I think he’ll like these energy balls a lot.
Fingers crossed!
Hi , can I try this with mixed nut butter instead of. Peanut butter? If yes will the measurement remind same? Thank you. Can’t wish to try for my 13 months old.
You can certainly try it though some nut butters have different consistencies so it’s possible you’d need more oats if they are runnier. I can’t say for sure without knowing what you plan to do but if the mixture is too runny when you mix it all together, you can add some more oats.
Simple and delicious! I just made these (my first recipe from your site) and my 15 month old absolutely loves them. My husband does as well so I’ll need to triple the batch.
I love how easy this was to prepare, I had all of the ingredients on hand which is a plus.
Thank you!
I’m so glad!