Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

These peanut butter oatmeal balls need just five ingredients to make and are a quick, easy, and healthy snack!

Snacking between meals is pretty much standard around here.

Every week, I make some form of sweet and healthy snack to have on hand so when the hunger pangs strike, they can be calmed pretty much instantly.

I often use oatmeal as a base for many of my snacks, whether that be no bake bars or protein balls. When I want something tasting like a peanut butter oatmeal cookie, these peanut butter oatmeal balls are the answer.

Table of Contents

1. Why this recipe works
2. Ingredients needed
3. How to make peanut butter oatmeal balls
4. Can you eat raw oats?
5. Dietary swaps and substitutions
6. Storage instructions
7. More healthy snacks to try
8. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls (Recipe Card)

Why this recipe works

These pb oat balls were inspired by my favorite peanut butter protein balls and no bake oatmeal cookie recipe. The foundations are similar, but this recipe calls for the addition of flaxseed and peanut butter chips. This not only adds a nutritional boost but also elevates the peanut butter flavor and tastes almost sinful!

• They need just five ingredients to make, and all of them are pantry staples.
• From prep to plate, these peanut butter oat balls take less than 10 minutes to make.
• You can pack This kind of snack into lunch boxes, long car rides, or road trips. They keep for ages!

Ingredients needed

As mentioned earlier, this recipe calls for just five pantry ingredients. If you’ve made any of my healthy snacks before, you’ll have everything on hand.

• Oatmeal. Rolled oats work best, to ensure the energy balls are chewy and filling. You can use quick oats, but increase the amount by two tablespoons. 
• Peanut Butter. Smooth, runny, and drippy peanut butter works the best. If your peanut butter is too firm, microwave it for several seconds to mix it in easier to the batter. 
• Maple Syrup. Pure maple syrup adds sweetness and helps bind the energy balls together. You can substitute maple syrup with brown rice syrup, agave nectar, or even honey. 
• Ground Flaxseed- This adds healthy fats and protein, and a slightly nutty flavor. 
• Peanut Butter chips. Add peanut butter chips to give it a more pronounced peanut butter flavor. You can also use chocolate chips too. 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make peanut butter oatmeal balls

Step 1- Make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and mix well. In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, combine your peanut butter with maple syrup and heat until warm. Whisk together until fully combined.

Step 2- combine the wet and dry. Combine your wet and dry mixture together. Allow to cool slightly, before folding in your peanut butter chips. 

Step 3- Shape into balls. Cover the energy ball mixture and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator. Lightly wet your hands, and form 12-16 balls. 

Can you eat raw oats?

Rolled oats are perfectly fine to eat raw, especially when combined with other ingredients. Allowing the mixture to sit before forming into balls, as it will soften and be easier to eat. Besides, the uncooked (Dry) oats provide an even chewier texture. 

Dietary swaps and substitutions

The beauty of these oatmeal balls is that they are so easy to customize to suit many diets.

• Make it gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free oats or an oat alternative, like buckwheat or quinoa flakes.
• Cut the sugar. Swap out the sweetener for sugar-free maple syrup.
• Swap out the peanut butter. If you have a peanut allergy, try using almond butter, which has a similar texture. If you need these balls to be nut free, sunflower seed butter and tahini are great.

Storage instructions

To store: While oatmeal balls will keep at room temperature, they will remain firm and chewy if refrigerated. Place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week.

To freeze: Place leftover balls in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

More healthy snacks to try

• Homemade protein bars– These need just 4 ingredients and taste so good.
• Fruit leather– Works with any fruits and tastes like a fruit roll up.
• Cereal bars– My family’s favorite lunch box snack.
• Flapjacks– No, these are not pancakes but British snack bars.
• Or more healthy snack recipes.