No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Get ready to power up with our Peanut Butter Energy Balls! Made with ground rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, and just the right touch of chocolate chips, these no-bake treats are an absolute winner.

Perfect for satisfying cravings and boosting energy levels, these are the ultimate healthy snack for both kids and adults. Plus, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from refined sugars—what’s not to love, right?

Why Peanut Butter Energy Balls Will Be Your New Favorite Snack

Who doesn’t love energy balls for snacks?! Bite-sized and poppable, they’re perfect for every occasion and are usually loaded with chocolate. 

However, store-bought options are often loaded with unnecessary ingredients and aren’t exactly kind to the wallet. So, we decided to make our own! 

Guaranteed to become your new go-to treat, these peanut butter energy balls are: 

• Easy to prepare with minimal prep work or cleanup necessary. 
• Refined sugar-free. 
• Great for after-school snacks or to eat on the way back and forth from activities. 
• Customizable to fit your flavor preferences and dietary needs. 
• Full of fiber, nutrients, and healthy fats! 

Are Energy Balls Good for You? 

These peanut butter energy balls are so tasty! You’re probably thinking they’re just another sugary snack. But, we’re happy to announce that not only are they indulgent, but they’re good for you, too! 

Of course, healthy looks different for everyone. So, please be sure to consult your doctor with any specific concerns. 

However, generally speaking, this snack is full of healthy fats, fiber, complex carbs, and antioxidants. Even better, it’s completely refined sugar-free, and made with antioxidants. 

If all that doesn’t scream healthy, we don’t know what does!

Nine Pantry Staple Ingredients You Need

We almost always have everything we need for these peanut butter bites waiting for us on hand! Here’s what you need to make your snacking dreams come true: 

• Rolled Oats – These are ground down to form the base of the balls. If preferred, you could skip a step, and use oat flour instead.  
• Peanuts and Peanut Butter – Peanuts are ground with the oats to add extra texture and a stronger nutty flavor. Then, smooth peanut butter helps hold the balls together. 
• Honey – Used to sweeten the balls without the need for refined sugar. Plus, the sticky texture helps them hold their shape. 
• Coconut Oil – Unsalted butter or light olive oil can be used in its place if preferred. 
• Vanilla Extract – Don’t omit this! It might seem insignificant, but it has a huge impact on the flavor. 
• Chocolate Chips – We recommend using mini chocolate chips so you get delicious morsels of chocolate in every bite. 
• Salt – Omit this is your peanuts are already salted. 
• Chia Seeds – Technically optional, chia seeds add lots of healthy fats, fiber, and plant-based protein, making the peanut butter balls even more satisfying. 

Blend, Mix, Chill: How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

This recipe is so simple even the kids can do it! With just a few steps, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time. 

1. Blend. Add the oats and peanuts to a blender or food processor, and pulse until a fine, flour-like texture is formed. 
2. Combine. Add the flour mixture to a large bowl along with the peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and salt. Stir to mix and combine until a smooth “batter” is formed. Fold in the chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. 

Pro-Tip: For a faster option, simply add the ingredients to the blender, and pulse until smooth! Then, stir in the chocolate chips by hand. 

3. Shape and Chill. Use a small ice cream scoop to portion out equal-sized balls. Roll them between your palms until round, and chill in the fridge until solid.

Tips for Success

• Adjust the batter. If your batter is too wet to stay together, add a little more of the oat flour mixture as needed. Alternatively, if it is too dry, add more honey or peanut butter until your desired consistency is reached. 
• Roll the balls before chilling. It’s important to shape the batter before you chill it in the fridge. Otherwise, it will be tough and difficult to work with. 
• Form bars! If you would rather have snack bars, line a square baking dish with parchment paper. Then, press the batter down evenly, and chill as usual before slicing and serving. 

Flavor Variations

One of the reasons energy balls are so fun to make is that there’s really no right or wrong way to do it as long as they keep their shape! Feel free to mix and match different ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary needs. 

• Omit the chocolate chips. Enhance the nutty taste of these peanut butter energy balls by omitting the chocolate completely. 
• Make it dairy-free. Use dairy-free chocolate chips to make these balls vegan. 
• Swap the nut butter. Feel free to use any nut or seed butter you like best such as almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter. 
• Add mix-ins. Additional items like unsweetened shredded coconut flakes, chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.), dried fruit like raisins or cranberries, and hemp seeds are an easy way to switch up the flavor and texture for a recipe that’s brand new. 
• Create double-chocolate energy balls. Add cocoa powder or cacao powder to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor. Adjust the peanut butter or honey as needed to hold the balls together, if you do. 

How to Store and Freeze

These peanut butter energy balls are the perfect grab-and-go snack for busy days. Why not whip up a double or triple batch to keep on hand?

• Room Temperature: Store the balls in an airtight container in a cool, dry place at room temperature for one to two days. 
• Refrigerator: Transfer the energy balls to an airtight container, and keep them stored in the fridge for up to one week. 
• Freezer: Store your peanut butter energy balls in the freezer for up to three months!
  For the best results, arrange them on a baking sheet, and place them in the freezer to solidify before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Then, when you’re ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge or on the counter, and enjoy! 

Common Questions About This Easy Peanut Butter Energy Balls Recipe

More Easy Snack Recipes

If these no-bake peanut butter energy balls hit the spot, be sure to explore our other favorite family-friendly snacks! There’s plenty more deliciousness where that came from.

• Frozen Yogurt Fruit Cups
• No-Bake Monster Cookie Bars 
• Heart-Shaped Stuffed Medjool Dates
• Chocolate Dipped Celery and Peanut Butter Logs
• Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Clusters