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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    No Bake Oatmeal Balls (with Peanut Butter)

    By Min On March 29, 2023

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    Stacked balls on a plate with toddler's hand grabbing one.

    These no bake oatmeal balls are made with just 5 wholesome ingredients and contain no added sugar. Enjoy as a healthy snack or treat any time of the day.

    Overhead shot of balls on a plate..

    We eat a lot of oats at my house, so I try to come up with all kinds of fun ways to serve them so my kids don't get tired of them.

    Vegetable oatmeal, baked oatmeal, overnight oats, muffins, pancakes, oatmeal bars, 3 ingredient cookies..I'm sure I'm leaving out something....

    But you get the point. They’re such a versatile ingredient that you MUST keep in your pantry at all times.

    Especially if you want to make these oatmeal balls whenever you are in need of a quick energy boost!

    What are oatmeal energy balls?

    Energy balls or bites are a no-bake snack that you can whip up in minutes and are filled with nourishing ingredients that will energize you any time of the day.

    Your kids will love these oatmeal energy balls, too, as they are the perfect size for little hands and fun to eat.

    Feel free to add all kinds of mix-ins, like dried fruit and even grated veggies (shared below), for a super easy snack or even breakfast!

    These are also portable and make for a wonderful addition to lunch boxes and school snacks.

    Jump to:
    • What are oatmeal energy balls?
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Add-ins
    • Tips for Success
    • Storage
    • More Energy Ball Recipes
    • No-Bake Oatmeal Balls

    Ingredients

    All the ingredients in a glass bowl.
    • Oats - I like to use quick oats for these energy balls as the texture will be more like a cookie dough and will be easier for toddlers to eat. Use rolled oats (old fashioned oats) if you prefer a chewier texture. Steel cut oats will not work.
    • Natural peanut butter - Helps bind the balls together and adds protein, fat, and a delicious nutty flavor. Smooth, natural style works best
    • Overripe banana - While most recipes you see uses honey or maple syrup as a sweetener, you will love how delicious these oatmeal energy bites are with just the natural sweetness from the banana.
    • Ground flax seed - for a boost of protein, fiber, and omega-3s as well as help make the mixture less sticky.
    • Vanilla extract

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    All the ingredients mixed in a large bowl.

    You won't even need a food processor blender for this!

    1. Mash banana and measure out exactly ½ cup.
    2. Add it to a medium bowl along with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
    3. Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness level.
    4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll. Use a mini cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll into balls.

    Substitutions

    • No peanut butter? You can add almond butter, cashew butter, or any nut butter you wish. If there is an allergy or want to make it nut-free for school, use sunflower butter or pumpkin seed butter.
    • No banana? Use equal amounts of unsweetened applesauce or 3-4 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or date syrup.
    • Gluten free? Make sure that the oats you're using has a certified gluten-free label.

    Add-ins

    Four oatmeal balls with different add-ins.

    To this basic recipe, feel free to customize to our heart's content by mixing in all kinds of ingredients and flavor combinations.

    Here are some suggestions to get you started:

    • Dried fruit - like raisins, blueberries, apricots, dates (be sure to finely chop any large fruits)
    • Unsweetened coconut
    • Finely chopped nuts or seeds (like chia seeds or hemp seeds)
    • Finely grated carrots or even zucchini (might sound strange but my kids love it and such an easy way to get more veggies into their bellies)
    • Mini chocolate chips
    • Cocoa powder
    • Spices - like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice

    Keep in mind, the addition of extra ingredients may change the texture, especially grated vegetables. So add a bit more peanut butter or banana if the dough is dry. If too sticky, add more oats (1 tablespoon at a time).

    Tips for Success

    Stacked balls on a plate with toddler's hand grabbing one.
    • The texture of your oatmeal bites will differ depending on the oats you use. Quick cooking oats are what my kids prefer as the balls resemble more of a cookie dough. Use rolled oats if you want the balls to be chewier.
    • Be sure to mash and then measure so you have exactly ½ cup. If you add too much, the oatmeal balls will be too wet.
    • If your peanut butter is too thick, microwave briefly to make it easier to stir.
    • If you prefer sweeter energy balls, you can add about â…“ cup mashed banana plus 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup or leave out the banana completely and add 3-4 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or date syrup.
    • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes after combining. It will make it much easier to roll into balls.

    Storage

    Transfer leftovers into an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Double or tripe the recipe and Freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend flash freezing, like I do with my muffins, and once frozen solid transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. That way they won't all clump together.

    More Energy Ball Recipes

    • A close up shot of the apricot balls with a bite taken out.
      Easy Apricot Balls
    • A close up shot of pumpkin ball with a bite taken out.
      No Bake Pumpkin Balls
    • A close up shot of bliss balls with a bite taken out of one on top.
      Peanut Butter Bliss Balls (Extra Protein)
    • No Bake Almond Fig Energy Balls
      No Bake Almond Quinoa Energy Balls
    Four oatmeal balls with different add-ins.

    No-Bake Oatmeal Balls

    These no bake oatmeal balls are made with just 5 wholesome ingredients and contain no added sugar. Enjoy as a healthy snack or treat any time of the day.
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Chill time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 14 balls
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup quick oats (100g), see note
    • ¼ cup smooth peanut butter (62g)
    • ½ cup mashed banana (120g), about 1 medium banana
    • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Mash banana and measure out exactly ½ cup. Add it to a medium bowl along with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
    • Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness level.
    • Refrigerate for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll. Use a mini cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll into balls.

    Notes

    • The texture of your oatmeal bites will differ depending on the oats you use. Quick cooking oats are what my kids prefer as the balls resemble more of a cookie dough. Use rolled oats if you want the balls to be chewier.
    • If you prefer sweeter energy balls,  add about â…“ cup mashed banana plus 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup or leave out the banana completely and add 3-4 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
    • Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 20mg
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

    More Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

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      Favorite Cheese Quesadilla Recipe
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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kirtley says

      May 27, 2023 at 12:15 pm

      These are great. I was just curious, are we not worried about the alcohol in vanilla extract considering it’s not being baked off here?

      Reply
      • Min says

        May 27, 2023 at 2:54 pm

        The amount is quite small and it's for the whole recipe so if serving to baby they will get a very tiny amount. Having said that, there are alcohol free vanilla extract available too! I get mine from Sprouts

        Reply
    2. Trenna says

      May 01, 2023 at 1:24 am

      Do you think I could replace bananas with avocado?

      Reply
      • Min says

        May 02, 2023 at 8:19 am

        Hi! I personally don't recommend it for these balls but let me know if you try!

        Reply
    3. Huimin says

      March 31, 2023 at 3:34 am

      Hi Min,

      I do not have any flaxseeds on hand. Can i omit them out totally or replace with chia?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Min says

        March 31, 2023 at 8:12 pm

        Yes you can use chia seeds. I hope you guys enjoy these balls!

        Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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