Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls
In short: No-bake balls of rolled oats, peanut butter, honey and mini chocolate chips. They roll in ten minutes and keep all week in the fridge. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 50 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Energy balls are the snack that lives in lunchboxes, gym bags and the fridge door. This version uses only a handful of pantry ingredients: oats, peanut butter, honey, a little ground flaxseed and mini chocolate chips. There is no baking, and the dough comes together in one bowl in about ten minutes. Chilling firms the mixture so it rolls without sticking. Keep a batch in the fridge for the week and grab two when you need something between meals.
Instructions
- Stir the oats, ground flaxseed and salt together in a large bowl.
- Warm the peanut butter and honey in a small saucepan over low heat, or in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, until runny. Stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the warm mixture over the oats and stir with a sturdy spatula until no dry oats remain. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then fold in the chocolate chips so they do not melt.
- Squeeze a little of the mixture in your fist. If it crumbles, stir in water 1 teaspoon at a time until it holds together. Cover the bowl and chill for 20 minutes.
- Roll level tablespoons of dough between damp palms into balls about 3 cm (1 inch) wide. Set them on a lined tray.
- Chill the balls for 30 minutes to firm up, then move them to an airtight container.
Tips
- Swap the peanut butter for almond, cashew or sunflower seed butter. Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free school lunchbox and check that the chocolate chips are nut-free too.
- Stir in chopped dried cranberries, raisins or shredded coconut instead of the chocolate chips. Use the same amount so the dough stays balanced.
Questions and answers
How long do energy balls keep?
They keep for 1 week in an airtight container in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze them on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months and thaw for 15 minutes at room temperature.
Can I make energy balls without honey?
Yes. Use maple syrup in the same amount. The balls stay a little softer, so chill the dough for 10 extra minutes before rolling.
Why are my energy balls too dry or too sticky?
Peanut butter varies in oiliness. If the dough crumbles, add water a spoonful at a time. If it sticks to your hands, add 2 tablespoons more oats and chill again.
How long does it take to make Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
