Name: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats; 3/4 cup peanut butter; 1/2 cup maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe

Made with just 5 ingredients, these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls are an easy, filling snack or breakfast on the go. Keep a few in the fridge so that hangry feeling never strikes again.

Close-up of two peanut butter oatmeal balls on a white plate

Easy No Bake Oatmeal Balls

When it comes to a quick, healthy snack on the go 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 little peanut butter energy bites, which have earned them a regular spot in my fridge. As I mentioned above, one is the perfect size for an afternoon pick-me-up, but two or three make a quick breakfast on the go too. Since they’re filled with protein, 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.

With just 5 ingredients and no baking required, there’s really no excuse to not give these peanut butter oatmeal balls a try!

Overhead view of peanut butter oatmeal ball ingredients

What You’ll Need

There are just 5 ingredients in these easy peanut butter oatmeal balls.

Oats – The best oats to use for these oatmeal balls are old-fashioned oats. Instant oats will not give the appropriate texture.
Peanut butter – Any brand or type of peanut butter will work, smooth or crunchy, natural peanut butter or conventional.
Maple syrup – Maple syrup is my preferred sweetener for making these oat balls. Honey is also great.
Vanilla – Like in most baked goods, a splash of vanilla adds a nice flavor.
Salt – Salt balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.

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How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

Making these oat energy balls is quick and easy, with just 5 minutes or so of prep.

Overhead view of peanut butter oat ball mixture in a white bowl

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 out of the mixture, placing them 1″ apart on parchment paper lined pan.
Cool. Allow the balls to cool to room temperature then refrigerate to firm up.

Overhead view of peanut butter oatmeal balls on a cookie tray

Tips & FAQs

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.
Can I make peanut butter oatmeal bars instead of balls? Yes! This is pretty much the exact recipe I use to make my no bake peanut butter bars. To make bars instead of balls, just press the mixture into a cake pan.
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.

Easy Variation Ideas

Want to switch things up a bit? Here are some ideas for easy variations to make your peanut butter oatmeal balls your own.

Try a different nut butter. Sunflower butter, almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut nut butter or any other thick, creamy nut butter or seed butter (like pumpkin seed butter!)will work in place of the peanut butter here.
Use a different sweetener. While I like the flavor of maple syrup in these oat balls, I do use honey in their oatmeal bar counterpart. You could also try molasses, agave syrup, or other types of thick sweetener.
Add in some extra flavor. If you’re a fan of the chocolate and peanut butter combination, you can stir in some dark chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips into the mixture. You could also try chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or coconut flakes.
Add in some seeds. For extra nutritional benefits, try adding in some chia seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, or flax seeds as well.
Amp up the protein. While you get a decent amount of protein from the peanut butter, you could add a bit of protein powder or even collagen powder into the mix.

Overhead view of 3 peanut butter oatmeal balls on a plate and a tray of them in the background

Serving Suggestions

These peanut butter oatmeal balls can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack on the go. Sometimes I’ll even enjoy one in the evening if I’m craving something sweet.

The thing I love about these is that they’re truly a grab-and-go snack, so I’ll often just grab one from the fridge as I go about my day. If I’m heading out on a road trip, a hike, or even just know I’ll be out and about for several hours, I’ll grab one or two to take with me just in case.

How to Store

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 for a shelf stable sweetener, storing them in the fridge helps them to keep their shape.
Can I freeze these? Yes, peanut butter oat balls can be frozen. 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.

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