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With just a few healthy ingredients, you can mix up these No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls in minutes to share with the kids. They pack in protein and whole grains, and are a not-too-sticky treat or snack that stores well for days. Win, win, win!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
I love keeping healthy treats on hand so we have them when we want something sweet. These No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls are one of our favorites—and I love them extra since they store so well in the fridge!
They don’t require too many ingredients and all you need to do to make them is to stir the batter together and portion out the balls. Easy and delish.
When I was working on this recipe, I wanted to balance the flavors to make an energy bite that wasn’t super sweet, but was just sweet enough.
The balance of the complex carbs from oats, protein and fat from the nut butter, and the dried fruit makes for a balanced dessert (or snack!).
I love grabbing one of these for myself whenever I am starving but don’t have a ton of time to eat!
Ingredients You Need
To make these peanut butter balls, you’ll need a few pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
TIP: You can make these without coconut if you prefer. See the Notes for that info (and info on making them nut-free).
Ingredient Substitutions
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of the peanut butter.
- Gluten-free: Use a certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- You can also omit the chocolate if you prefer.
- If you want to skip the coconut, simply use additional oats in their place.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the recipe for the full information.
- Gather your ingredients.
- If using rolled oats, grind them in a food processor or blender. (Skip this if using instant oats.) This creates more of a cookie-dough like final texture to the batter.
- Chop the chocolate chips if not using mini chips.
- Mix the batter together with a spoon and/or clean hands if it’s too stiff to mix.
- Portion out into rounds using a measuring spoon, roll in coconut if desired, and serve or store.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like to use natural creamy peanut butter without added sugar (like this kind from Smuckers) and you can use whichever dried fruit that sounds good—dried cranberries, cherries, apricots, or raisins.
If you use certified gluten-free oats, you can easily make these gluten free.
If you put them in an airtight container, you can store them for two weeks (or longer if they happen to last that long!). We prefer to store them in the fridge so they’re a little chilled when you serve them.
How can I get the best texture in these peanut butter balls?
My best tips for making these have an awesome texture are these:
- Grind the oats in a food processor or blender so they’re a finer texture. You can also use instant oats as a shortcut. This reduces the chewiness of the balls and makes them have a more cookie-dough-like texture.
- Use mini chocolate chips or chop regular size chocolate chips a little smaller. I find that the less there are giant chunks of anything, the better the overall result. Plus, chopping the chocolate makes a smaller amount goes a long way.
How to Store
Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. These are best stored and served cold to ensure that they hold together nicely. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Best Tips for Success
- Grind the oats or use instant oats so the final balls have a cookie-dough like texture.
- Warm the peanut butter and honey so they are easy to stir into the rest of the ingredients.
- Chop the chocolate so it’s more evenly distributed throughout the balls.
- Use a fruit your kids like and cut into smaller pieces if needed.
- Wet your fingers slightly if the batter is sticking to your hands OR chill the dough for 5-10 minutes to help it firm up and be a little less sticky.
- Roll in coconut or skip that step.
- Dice up for younger eaters and offer with a drink.
- You may also like Graham Cracker Balls, No-Bake Granola Bars, Apricot Balls, and No-Bake Chocolate Cookies.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you make it, so please chime in below with feedback!
This post was first published April 2019.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls (with Chocolate and Dried Fruit)
If you want to make an all chocolate version, just omit the dried fruit and use additional chocolate chips!
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup peanut butter (I use creamy natural unsweetened)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup rolled oats (or instant oats)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (roughly chopped or mini chips)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or cherries, dried apricots, and/or raisins, cut into smaller pieces if large)
Instructions
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Add the peanut butter and honey to a medium bowl. Warm in the microwave for 15 seconds.
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If you want a more even final texture, grind the rolled oats and ½ cup of the coconut in a blender or food processor.
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Stir the oats, coconut, chocolate chips and dried fruit into the bowl with the peanut butter and honey to combine well.
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Use a tablespoon-size measuring spoon to portion out rounds.
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Roll in the remaining coconut if desired. Serve.
Notes
- Place onto a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- To make these without coconut, simply omit and use an equal portion of additional oats.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter in place of the peanut butter.
- Grind the oats or use instant oats so the final balls have a cookie-dough like texture.
- Warm the peanut butter and honey so they are easy to stir into the rest of the ingredients.
- Chop the chocolate so it’s more evenly distributed throughout the balls.
- Use a fruit your kids like and cut into smaller pieces if needed.
- Wet your fingers slightly if the batter is sticking to your hands OR chill the dough for 5-10 minutes to help it firm up and be a little less sticky.
- Roll in coconut or skip that step!
Nutrition
Serving: 2gCalories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 70mgPotassium: 154mgFiber: 3gSugar: 11gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
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