These peanut butter energy balls are one of the best snacks to have. They’re quick to make, easy to store, and don’t need baking. Everything is mixed in one bowl too, so there’s very little washing-up (and no food processor needed either!).

The peanut butter and the oats make them filling with just enough sweetness from the honey and chocolate chips to make them feel like a treat. 

They’re also easy to adapt depending on what you have to hand, and I’ve given you a few alternatives below.

Nutrition highlights:

✔️ Fibre-rich from oats and coconut 


✔️ Plant protein from peanut butter 

✔️ Antioxidants from the dark chocolate and honey

✔️ Naturally sweet with no refined sugar

Why Choose Energy Balls?

Energy balls are a really convenient, inexpensive and healthy snack option to make on a regular basis. You can easily mix up your flavourings and ingredients to make them your own. And because they are small, they generally aren’t super calorific either. 

You might be wondering if energy balls are healthy? Well, generally yes. Particularly if you make them yourself at home. They are made with nut butters, dried fruits and nuts/seeds – which together provide a good mixture of fats, carbs and protein.

They’re great for kids after school, easy to grab on-the-go or post-workout. 

What ingredients do you need for Peanut Butter Energy Balls?

• Peanut butter
• Rolled Oats


• Desiccated coconut


• Honey or maple syrup 


• Vanilla paste


• Dark chocolate chips
  

What are The nutritional benefits of the main ingredients?

Peanut butter
A good source of plant-based protein and healthy unsaturated fats. It also provides vitamin E, magnesium, and a small amount of fibre.

Rolled Oats
Rich in fibre, particularly beta-glucan, which can help support healthy cholesterol levels and steady blood sugar. Their complex carbohydrates also help with longer-lasting energy levels.

Honey
Is an unrefined sugar and provides small amounts of antioxidants. It helps bind the mixture while adding sweetness.

Storage and Shelf Life

• These Peanut Butter Energy Balls can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Keep them in an airtight container.
• They also freeze well.
• Store for up to 3 months and defrost for about 20 minutes before eating.

Recipe Tips

Texture: If the mixture is too dry, add 1-2 tbsp more peanut butter (or honey if you prefer them sweeter). 

Use a runny peanut butter: natural, slightly runny peanut butter makes the mixture much easier to combine. If yours is thick, giving it a quick stir (or a few seconds in the microwave or on the hob) helps.

Flavour: Add a pinch of cinnamon or ground ginger if you want a hint of spice. 

Nut butter swap: Almond butter is a good alternative. If you prefer them nut-free you can also substitute the nut butter for a seed butter such as tahini.  

Honey swap: you can use maple syrup or any liquid sweetener to make these balls. 

Oats alternative: if oats aren’t your thing, try other flakes such as buckwheat or millet.

Related Recipes

Check out my top 10 energy balls recipe here.

There’s something for everyone from carrot cake energy balls and lime & pistachio as well as some nut free and chocolate protein varieties. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter energy balls

Helen Ridgeway Helen Ridgeway

These peanut butter energy balls are the kind of thing you can throw together in 10 minutes and keep in the fridge for the week ahead. No baking and very little effort required! Which to be honest, is my absolutely favourite kind of snack!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Servings 12

Calories 145 kcal

Ingredients

 

• ½ cup natural peanut butter (120g)
• 1 cup rolled oats (100g)
• ½ cup desiccated coconut (45g)
• 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla paste
• 2-3 tbsp dark chocolate chips
• Pinch of sea salt optional

Instructions

 

• Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl. Using a spatula, mix well until everything is combined. The mixture should be soft and sticky. If it feels dry, add a little more peanut butter, a tbsp of milk (or honey if you prefer them sweeter).
• Take a tbsp of the mixture and shape into a ball. Because of the rolled oats, you won’t be able to ‘roll’ the balls, it’s more of a case of shaping them into a ball.
• Refrigerate for about an hour to firm up. Store in the fridge.

Notes

• These energy balls work best with a natural, slightly runny peanut butter. It makes the mixture much easier to combine. If yours is thick, giving it a quick stir (or a few seconds in the microwave or on the hob) helps.
• They can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• They also freeze well. Store for up to 3 months and defrost for about 20 minutes before eating.

 

*This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission when you purchase through these links (at no extra cost to you). I only endorse products that I personally use or have tested.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 4gFat: 8.9gSaturated Fat: 3.7gFiber: 2.3g

Keyword energy balls, oatmeal energy balls, peanut butter

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