Get ready to energize your day with these flavorful Peanut Butter Energy Balls! They’re simple and packed with peanut butter goodness. A the perfect quick snack to satisfy your cravings.
These Peanut Butter Balls are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, which makes them an incredible snack! Beat afternoon hunger with these chewy morsels.
These make great grab-and-go snacks, breakfast bites, or scrumptiously healthy treats! Be sure to check out my No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bar, 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies for some more peanut buttery goodness.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Rich and smooth, it adds a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.
- Old Fashioned Oats: Provide a chewy texture, adding a mild, nutty flavor.
- Ground flax seeds or Chia Flax Combo: Offers a subtle, earthy taste and a crunchy texture, packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Chocolate: Incorporate cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder for a rich, chocolate peanut butter flavor.
- Cinnamon and Raisins: Add a warm, spiced sweetness with a chewy texture.
- Almond Joy Balls: Mix in chocolate protein powder and shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Dried Fruit: Stir in craisins or raisins for a burst of fruity sweetness.
- Healthy Addition Variation: Enhance your Peanut Butter Energy Balls with a blend of dates for natural sweetness and fiber, chia seeds for essential nutrients and antioxidants, ground flaxseed to enrich with omega-3 fatty acids, and Rice Krispies for a unique, crunchy texture. For an extra crunch, add sunflower seeds.
How to Make Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, oats, flax seed, honey (or agave), vanilla, salt, and mini chocolate chips. Using a spatula, mix the ingredients until combined.
Step 2: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.
Step 3: Using a standard-size cookie scoop, portion the mixture into even balls. Roll with your hands to smooth, sticking a few extra mini chocolate chips on as you go.
Step 4: Enjoy immediately or place in an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- Texture and Thickening: If your protein balls are falling apart, try adding a bit more honey or peanut butter. These ingredients act as natural binders, helping the mixture stick together more effectively for perfect, cohesive balls.
- Refrigeration is Key: You need to keep them in the fridge until they are solid and set. You can also just store the protein balls in the fridge to make sure they stay together, and they do taste better cold.
FAQs
For a nut-free version, you could try using seed butter, like sunflower seed butter, keeping in mind the flavor will change and it could be thinner so you may need to add more oats for them to stick together.
You can use any type you prefer. natural peanut butter is a great option for more clean ingredients. Crunchy peanut butter would give these more texture. Other nut butters would work as well such as almond butter or even cashew butter however the consistency could change the thickness and structure of the overall bites so keep this in mind and add in additional oats as needed.
Storage Info
STORE your Peanut Butter Protein Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To FREEZE, place it in a freezer-safe container and it will last up to 3 months.
To enjoy them from the freezer, simply THAW them at room temperature or in the refrigerator. However, if you prefer them slightly softer, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before consuming them.
For More Healthy Snacking Check Out:
Peanut Butter Energy Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup peanut butter - creamy
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup flax seed meal - or a chia flax combo
- 1 1/2 Tbsp honey - or agave
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips - plus extra for rolling
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, oats, flax seed, honey (or agave), vanilla, salt, and mini chocolate chips. Using a spatula, mix the ingredients until combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.
- Using a standard-size cookie scoop, portion the mixture into even balls. Roll with your hands to smooth, sticking a few extra mini chocolate chips on as you go.
- Enjoy immediately or place in an airtight container.
How much protein do you add?
Hi MaryEllen, there is no additional protein to add, there is lots of protein from the peanut butter, oats and flax seeds.
I always love this recipe and so many variations of goodness! Could you help me understand the serving size and nutrition content? It says 8. Are those small bites? I made large ones.
Thanks!
Hi Lauren, we made 8 energy balls, all about the same size.
Delicious and easy recipe! A coffee shop nearby had these and I wanted to make some at home! I did the chia/flax mixture and I love the crunch it has!
These are such a fun healthy treat. My kiddos even liked them
These energy balls are fantastic and so yummy! My hubby and I love that they are both yummy and healthy! Definitely making these tasty things again!