Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls [Gluten Free, Dairy Free]

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Peanut butter oatmeal balls are a crowd-pleaser, and these no bake peanut butter balls without powdered sugar are no exception. Your kids will love ‘em, your husband will love ‘em, the neighbors will love ‘em, and YOU will love them.

I mean, what’s not to love? Whether you call them protein balls, oatmeal balls, or peanut butter balls, they’re delicious and very easy to make (no baking required) The perfect snack with lots of protein to give you energy when you need a pick-me-up.

Whip some up today and enjoy a healthy snack that’s NOT loaded with sugar.

Tools Needed to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

• Mixing bowl – Grab a bowl to mix all your ingredients in.
• Spoon – Use your regular spoons, or a wooden mixing spoon.
• Cookie Scooper – I like using a cookie scooper to make sure they’re all about the same size. This is the size I like to use.

Ingredients Needed to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

• Peanut butter – It enhances the flavor of these balls, but it also serves acts as a nice binder as well as adds moisture to the balls. Get the natural kind – without hydrogenated oils, or sugar – like this one). As always, feel free to experiment with other nut or seed butters to make this your own.
• Oats – Gives these protein balls an extra crunch and absorb any excess moisture, while providing a healthy dose of fiber. If necessary, use gluten-free oats or you can use Old Fashioned Oats, Rolled Oats, or Quick Oats. Don’t use Steel Cut Oats or you’ll get quite the crunch when you bite in.
• Honey – Sweetens and holds together the protein balls, or you can swap maple syrup for honey 1:1 in this recipe to make this recipe vegan.
• Chocolate chips, or coconut flakes, or raisins (or a combination) – Optional, but I love the chocolate peanut butter combo.
• Salt – If you’re using salted peanut butter, I’d skip this (or taste it before you add it in). We like using this salt, because it still has the trace minerals in it. 
• Vanilla (optional) – Adds tasty flavor, if you’re feelin’ fancy.

How to Make These Easy Peanut Butter Protein Balls

The process is so simple, I almost feel silly putting the step-by-step pictures here. But, I’m here to help you out, so here ya go.

To form the gluten-free energy balls (assuming you’re using gluten-free oats), I like to use a cookie scooper to get them the same size, then I roll them between my hands until they look nice and smooth on the outside.

Once they’ve been rolled into balls, you’re done. You can refrigerate them to harden them a bit, or just eat them right away. 

Quick Tip: If the mixture is too crumbly, add more peanut butter, one tablespoon at a time (alternatively, you can add liquid). I usually just add peanut butter. If the mixture is too sticky, add a few more oats. 

I’ve found this recipe to be really forgiving and delicious no matter which fillers you use. I always seem to end up with chocolate chips in mine (go figure)!

This recipe makes 24 1” peanut butter and oatmeal balls.

FAQ & Recipe Tips

Are peanut butter protein balls healthy?

These no bake peanut butter balls are healthy. They’re made with simple ingredients in your kitchen, so you know exactly what’s in them. They’re sweetened with honey, and have protein and healthy fat from the peanut butter to satisfy a snack craving in a healthy way.

Do energy balls give you energy?

Yes, these peanut butter energy balls balls are full of protein, fiber, and good fats to keep you feeling full and energized all day long.

How long will peanut butter balls last in the fridge?

These peanut butter balls don’t seem to last long around our house, because we eat them too fast. But if you’ve got more self-control than we do, they should last a couple weeks in the fridge.

Alternately, you can freeze them then thaw overnight before you want them.

More delicious no bake recipes you might enjoy

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars (No Bake)
• Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups (can use peanut butter instead)
• Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters
• Avocado Chocolate Pudding (you’ll love it, trust me)

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