5-Ingredient Chewy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

When it comes to choosing quick, on-the-go snack these peanut butter oatmeal balls are my go-to. They are a spin-off of my favorite peanut butter oatmeal bars, with the only ingredient variation being maple syrup instead of honey (though you could still opt for honey here as well.) Sometimes oat balls just seem more fitting than bars and the serving size is just perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.

These oatmeal balls are kind of like oatmeal cookies or little peanut butter energy bites, which have earned them a regular spot in my fridge. As I mentioned above, one or two is the perfect size for an afternoon pick-me-up, but three or four make a quick breakfast on the go too. Having them ready to go makes it even faster than my go-to oat smoothie and more convenient than making stovetop banana oatmeal! They’re great for taking on hikes and road trips or any other time you might find yourself wishing you had a snack on hand.

What You’ll Need

With just five ingredients and no baking required, there’s really no excuse not to give these easy peanut butter oatmeal balls a try! You may even have all the necessary ingredients in your pantry.

How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

Making these oat energy balls is quick and easy, with just 5 minutes or so of prep. You’ll need a small saucepan to heat the peanut butter and syrup and a baking sheet to lay out the rolled oat balls. You can line it with parchment if you want to minimize cleanup.

• Warm the peanut butter and maple syrup. Heat the peanut butter and maple syrup, stirring constantly when the edges start to bubble, until smooth and creamy.
• Combine the ingredients. Remove the peanut butter from the heat. Add in the salt and vanilla. Pour over oats in a mixing bowl. Fold until evenly coated.

• Form the balls. Use a cookie scoop to form balls from the mixture, placing them 1″ apart on a parchment-lined pan.
• Cool. Allow the balls to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate to firm up.

Tips

Here are a few tips that will make these oatmeal balls even easier.

• Can I make these in the microwave? Absolutely. If you don’t want to use the stove, you can warm the peanut butter and maple syrup in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth.
• Be careful not to burn the peanut butter. Stir the mixture constantly to ensure that the peanut butter and maple syrup do not burn on the stovetop.

How to Store

Peanut butter oatmeal balls should be stored in the fridge as they are made with maple syrup which should always be refrigerated. They will last for a week or two in the fridge. If you swap it for a shelf-stable sweetener, storing it in the fridge helps it keep its shape.

Peanut butter oat balls can be frozen for longer storage. Once they’ve firmed up in the fridge, transfer to a freezer-safe container. They’ll last for a few months. You can either thaw them in the fridge or enjoy them frozen.