Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls are a simple, no-bake recipe with peanut butter, oatmeal, honey, raisins and chocolate chips. Perfect homemade energy bites for breakfast, lunch or snack that everyone loves!
What are Peanut Butter Oat Balls?
These Peanut Butter Oat Bites are a perfect after-school snack as they are tasty, but pack a healthy punch with the peanut butter and oats. I even brought them on a recent road trip and we all enjoyed them. They are little balls of raisins, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and oats all rolled into one protein packed treat that kids (and adults) enjoy!
Oatmeal Energy Balls Ingredients
-Unsalted butter: We don’t need much, but about 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter will help improve the texture of these oatmeal balls.
-Peanut butter: creamy natural peanut butter adds protein and texture. You can choose your favorite or try a peanut-free variety!
-Confectioners sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, this will add a sweetness that dissolves and blends into the mix nicely.
-Honey: Choose pasteurized or raw, this adds more health benefits but it’s totally up to you to choose the kind you like best!
-Vanilla extract: Giving the flavors a nice base to branch off of, you can use any vanilla extract you want but I always like the high quality stuff.
-Rice Krispie cereal: Adding a little texture (but not too much) this dry cereal is great in these oatmeal balls.
-Oats: Make sure to use quick oats because the texture isn’t as hard as old fashioned and other oat varieties.
-Raisins: This could be seen as optional, but raisins are healthy, sweet, and add a nice chewy texture to these treats.
-Mini chocolate chips: Because who doesn’t like chocolate? Mini chocolate pieces aren’t too big and can pack more chocolate into every bite.
-Lightly salted dry roasted peanuts: Finely chopping the nuts will allow for them to be used inside the balls and as part of the coating around the outside too.
How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, melt the butter.
Remove the pan from the heat and then stir in the peanut butter, confectioners sugar, honey, and vanilla.
Stir in the Rice Krispie Cereal and the oats. Allow the mixture to cool.
Stir in raisins, half of the finely chopped peanuts, and the chocolate chips.
Form the mixture into 1 inch balls, and roll them in the remaining chopped peanuts mixed with 2 tablespoons of oats, pressing them into the balls to keep them coated.
Store in the fridge.
Can you Make Energy Bites in the Microwave?
Yes, you can make these snacks in the microwave instead of using a skillet on the stove. Simply microwave the butter and peanut butter for about 1 minute. Stir in powdered sugar, honey and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Then you’ll just follow the recipe from step 2, on until they’re done.
PEANUT BUTTER OAT BITES
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup quick oats + 2 TBSP for rolling
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup finely chopped lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove pan from heat and stir in peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, honey and vanilla.
- Stir in Rice Krispies and oats and allow mixture to cool.
- Stir in raisins, half the finely chopped peanuts and chocolate chips. Form mixture into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in remaining chopped peanuts mixed with 2 TBSP oats, pressing to coat. Store in refrigerator.
Nutrition
Energy Ball Variations
You can easily adapt this recipe by making fun variations to fit your family’s own tastes and preferences. Adding craisins instead of raisins, swapping the mini chocolate chips for M&M’s or white chocolate chips are two simple ways to switch up the flavors. You can even add in bits of dried fruit too!
Yes, raw oats are perfectly fine and safe to eat. That said, you may want to let the balls sit for a bit before eating so that the oats have a chance to soften more so that they aren’t too hard of a texture.
They are not, but they can be made gluten free. By using a gluten free rice crisp cereal and certified gluten free oats, you can have these protein balls be safe for those on a gluten free diet and still tasty!
More peanut butter packed recipes that you’re going to love!
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Bars
- Peanut Butter Fudge
- Halloween Peanut Butter Cookie Pizza
- Best Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Brownies
- Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
- The Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Reeses Peanut Butter Cookies
- Frozen Peanut Butter Pie
- Peanut Butter Pretzels
- Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Peanut Butter Snickers Cookies
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Peanut Butter Brownies
anastasia anezinis says
Woow looked yummy!I will test these!<br />thanks for sharing
fromcalculustocupcakes says
These look yummy. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.
Pint Sized Baker says
What a great healthy snack. Pinned this! Thanks for sharing these on Two Cup Tuesday at <a href="http://www.pintsizedbaker.com" rel="nofollow">Pint Sized Baker</a> I hope to see ya again on Monday night!
Susan @ Oh My! Creative says
Thanks for linking up to Whimsy Wednesday! Your recipe has been featured this week!<br /><br />http://www.ohmy-creative.com/recipe/12-tasty-breakfast-recipes/<br /><br />Also, you can add your recipe {or any project} to my website. I feature them on my main slider on the home page…follow this link to submit your recipe/project!<br />http://www.ohmy-creative.com/submit-a-project/<br /><br />Be
Lisa says
These look awesome! Thanks so much for linking up with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday!" Can't wait to see what you share this week. 🙂
Ang says
Yummy! I'm pregnant and have been craving trail mix like crazy and this is like trail mix only better! THANK YOU!!
Jacqueline says
I featured this post at Simply creations link party! They do look like a great after school snack for the kids! Thanks for sharing.
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Maureen says
I recently found these on pinterest and made them using almond butter and pecans with no raisins and they were a fabulous snack that I loved. I do have a question—Can they be frozen? I would love to make a double batch and freeze some so I away’s have some on hand. Thanks for a great recipe!
Jessica says
Freezing tends to draw out moisture, so I think they might be a bit dry/ crumbly afterwards. Maybe add a bit more peanut butter and try it?? Let me know how it works!