Peanut Butter Energy Balls
These delicious peanut butter energy balls are perfect for busy families who need a quick, healthy snack that actually tastes amazing! Kids and adults absolutely love these bite-sized treats because they give you that perfect energy boost without any of the guilt.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 20 minutes, Serves: 17 people, Yield: 35 balls.
Nutrition Profile: Mediterranean Diet, Diabetes-Friendly, Low-Sodium, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 174 Calories, 9g Fat, 18g Carbs, 4g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Rolled oats: You’ll need 2 cups of good old-fashioned rolled oats. These give your energy balls that perfect chewy texture and keep you feeling full longer!
Natural peanut butter: Grab 1 cup of natural peanut butter or any nut butter you love. I always use the kind that’s just peanuts and salt – it tastes so much better and holds everything together beautifully.
Honey: You’ll need ½ cup of honey to add that perfect touch of sweetness. The honey also helps bind everything together so your balls stay nice and round.
Mini chocolate chips: ¼ cup of mini chocolate chips because let’s be honest – everything’s better with a little chocolate! The mini ones spread out more evenly than regular chips.
Unsweetened shredded coconut: ¼ cup adds such a lovely tropical flavor and nice texture. Plus it makes these energy balls feel a little fancy!
How to Make Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Step 1: Grab a medium bowl and combine all your ingredients – oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and coconut. Give everything a really good stir until it’s all mixed together nicely. You want everything evenly distributed so each ball tastes perfect!
Step 2: Now for the fun part – rolling! Use a 1-tablespoon measure to scoop out portions of the mixture. Roll each portion between your palms to make nice round balls. If the mixture feels a bit sticky, just wet your hands slightly – that makes rolling so much easier!
Easy and Quick Peanut Butter Energy Balls Version
Want to make these even faster? You can totally skip the rolling step and just press the mixture into a lined 8×8 pan instead! Let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes, then cut into squares. You’ll get the same great taste with half the work – perfect for those crazy busy days!
Serving Ideas
These energy balls are perfect as an after-school snack or a quick breakfast on the go. I love packing a few in my kids’ lunchboxes alongside some fresh apple slices and a cheese stick. They’re also amazing for those mid-afternoon energy dips when you need something sweet but healthy!
Storage
Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months! They taste great straight from the fridge, but if you freeze them, just let them sit out for about 5 minutes before eating.
Substitutions
No peanut butter? No problem! Any nut or seed butter works great – try almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter. You can swap the honey for maple syrup if that’s what you have on hand. Don’t have coconut? Just add more chocolate chips or leave it out completely!
Pro Tips
- Sticky mixture? Pop the bowl in the fridge for 15 minutes before rolling – it makes everything so much easier to handle!
- Perfect size every time: Use a small cookie scoop instead of a tablespoon for super even balls.
- Extra flavor boost: Add a pinch of vanilla extract or cinnamon to make these taste even more amazing.
- Make them fancy: Roll the finished balls in extra coconut, chopped nuts, or even cocoa powder for a special treat!
FAQs
Are these Peanut Butter Energy Balls no-bake?
You bet! These five-ingredient energy balls are completely no-bake and super easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Just mix everything in a bowl, stir well, and roll into balls – no oven required!
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! These are actually perfect for meal prep. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. I love making a big batch on Sunday for the whole week!
What else can I add to make these energy balls more satisfying?
Sure! There are tons of ways to jazz these up for extra nutrition. Try rolling them in finely chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios. You can also mix in 1-2 tablespoons of seeds like chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flaxseed for an extra nutritional boost. Just remember that any additions will change the calorie count a bit!
Why are my energy balls falling apart?
No worries! If your mixture seems too dry, add an extra tablespoon of peanut butter or honey. If it’s too wet, add a bit more oats. The mixture should hold together when you squeeze it in your hand but not be super sticky.
I’d love to hear how your energy balls turned out! Did you try any fun variations or substitutions? Share your experience in the comments below – your tips might help other families create their own perfect batch of these tasty treats!
