Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Healthy peanut butter balls recipe is going to be your favorite no-bake snack that can be enjoyed any time of day! These peanut butter bites are a combination of creamy peanut butter, oats, flaxseeds, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips. For an extra-special treat dip in melted chocolate.

Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Looking for a quick no bake snack that can be whipped up in no time? If you’ve tried my protein bites, peanut butter pretzel bites or these no bake pumpkin protein bites, then you know quick and easy snacks are my thing!

Now that I’m working from home I’m a little too close to my kitchen where I can grab a handful of whatever is in my path.

Making some healthy snacks like chopped vegetables and homemade ranch dressing, fruits with a fruit dip that are ready to go keeps me from diving into a bag of potato chips.

Lately, I’ve been keeping these peanut butter balls in the refrigerator, right up front to remind me that just one will hit that craving perfectly giving me a quick boost of pick-me-up energy!

My latest batch I made more decadent by coating them in sugar free chocolate. YUM.

This recipe is super versatile to meet your dietary preference. I’ve adjusted the recipe at different times to fit vegan, gluten-free, low carb and keto diets.

What Will I Need To Complete This Peanut Butter Balls Recipe?

You will need the following ingredients:

1. Oats: you can use old fashioned oats or instant oats for this recipe. I prefer the old fashion oats because they give the peanut butter balls more texture. I would not recommend using steel cut oats because they may be too difficult to eat uncooked. Be sure to use gluten-free oats for a grain free snack.
2. Shredded coconut: You can choose to use either sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut. I stock unsweetened coconut. You can also go one step further and toast the coconut before adding them to the peanut butter balls for additional texture. If you do not like the taste and texture of coconut you can omit the coconut and add extra oats in its place. To be honest the coconut flavor and texture in these energy balls is not very noticeable. The coconut adds some healthy fats.
3. Peanut butter: I use creamy unsweetened peanut butter for this peanut butter balls recipe but any kind of nut butter will work. You can also use natural peanut butter. Just make sure that your natural peanut butter is stirred well before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
4. Ground flaxseed: Flaxseed has a lot of added nutritional benefits and healthy Omega fats. Make sure that you are adding in ground flaxseed instead of whole flax seed. Technically you can eat whole flaxseed but it is better for your digestive system to grind it first.
5. Chocolate chips: I keep my peanut butter balls sugar free and use Lily’s baking chips. Dark, milk and semi-sweet chocolate/chunks are also great choices. You can also get creative and add in cocoa butter, white or butterscotch chips depending on your preference.
6. Sweetener: Honey is great for adding a sticky texture holds all of the other ingredients in place. You can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave syrup, including sugar free versions. Some sugar free options are watery in texture, so although you will have the sweetness, the texture may be too wet. I compensate by adding a teaspoon-tablespoon of coconut flour to absorb some of the liquid.
7. Vanilla extract: If you haven’t made my homemade vanilla extract do it soon so it’s ready for the holiday season.

You will need the following supplies:

1. Small mixing bowl
2. Small cookie scoop
3. Baking sheet
4. Mixing spoons and measuring cups

Variations To Try

When making peanut butter balls the sky is the limit in terms of alterations and variations. Some different variations include:

1. Adding in spices: feel free to add in ¼ -½ teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice seasoning. This will add in additional flavor and put a spin on traditional energy balls. You’ll never be bored with the flavor variations.
2. Dried fruit: The combination of flavors in the energy balls goes great with any type of dried fruit. My favorites include raisins, cranberries, or even dried cherries.
3. Use a different type of nut butter: Although I love the taste of peanut butter in my energy balls, you can choose to add in any type of nut butter of your choosing. This can include cashew butter, sunflower butter, almond butter, or any other nut butter of your choosing and preference.
4. Chocolate Covered: Roll each prepared peanut butter ball in melted chocolate. You can also leave the chocolate chips out when mixing the ingredients and just coat each ball. I use a microwave on low heat for 30 second intervals until reaching a dipping consistency.

Vegan Diets

If you are following a vegan diet then you will want to use dairy-free chocolate chips and use maple syrup in place of the honey.

Gluten-Free Diets

For gluten-free followers be sure to use gluten-free oats.

Low Carb and Keto Diets

To keep these low in carbohydrates adjust the oats and sweetener. Use sugar-free chocolate chips, adjust the oats by using half (if you can tolerate some grains) and replacing the other half with oat fiber (not oat flour). Also make sure your preferred peanut butter is sugar-free. Finally, a powdered sugar-free confectioner’s sugar can replace the honey. Personally, the honey is fine for my macronutrients and with the fats, my glucose level is not affected.

How Do I Store My Peanut Butter Balls

Although you can store your energy balls at room temperature, they will soften as they warm up.

Even though this will not affect taste, the balls do tend to stick together as they soften.

Because of this, I recommend storing your peanut butter balls in the refrigerator. They will last in the refrigerator for up to one week.

They also freeze well. Keep your energy balls in the freezer for up to 3 months for best quality. Make sure they are stored in an airtight container before storing.

Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

No bake energy bites are simple versatile snacks. This peanut butter ball recipe is adjustable to meet vegan, gluten-free, low carb and keto diets. Dip in melted chocolate for an extra delicious treat.

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 22 Servings

Calories: 76kcal

Author: Sandra Shaffer

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• ½ peanut butter creamy
• ½ cup ground flaxseed
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup honey
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Stir together all the ingredients.   
• Scoop ingredients into 1-2 inch balls and roll with your hands.
• Place on a baking sheet.
• Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until
  cool.   
• Re-roll the balls to smooth edges before
  serving.
• 
  
  

Notes

For easier stirring, warm the peanut butter and the sweetener in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add remaining ingredients.

In a hurry? For step 3 put in the freezer for 20 minutes.

See post for ingredient variations, and for vegan, gluten-free, low carb and keto diet options.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 11mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

PIN TO YOUR HEALTHY SNACK BOARDS