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These 3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls take just 5 minutes to prepare and are a super quick and easy healthy snack! They’re vegan, gluten free, and are a perfect little sweet treat.
Whether you’re low on ingredients or just looking for a healthy, kid-friendly snack or dessert that comes together in minutes, you’re going to love these peanut butter oatmeal balls! I like to make these every week so that I can just grab one whenever I’m snacky.
They are made with just 3 simple ingredients: oatmeal, maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice), and peanut butter! I also like to add mini chocolate chips to mine, but it’s totally optional!
Why You'll Love These 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
- They are gluten free (be sure to use certified gluten free oats), dairy free, refined sugar free, and egg free. You could even replace the peanut butter with another nut butter if you have a peanut allergy.
- These no bake oat balls are easy to meal prep for snacks and are freezer friendly too!
- With just 3 ingredients, one bowl, and a few minutes of prep, this recipe literally couldn’t be easier!
- These peanut butter bites are a great healthy “dessert” or snack for picky eaters. I have a picky eater at home and he ate about 10 of these in a day the last time I made them.
Ingredients Needed
- Peanut Butter: This recipe can be made using creamy natural peanut butter or regular (Jif, or Skippy) style peanut butter. Note that the oat balls with natural peanut butter will be a bit drier the next day than the ones made with Jif.
- Maple Syrup: you can also replace the maple syrup with honey or your liquid sweetener of choice. Depending whether you’re using natural peanut butter or regular, the amount of maple syrup will be a bit different. Notes for this are in the recipe card below!
- Oats: This recipe uses old fashioned oats. Large flake oats work as well, but I don’t recommend quick oats - they would make the oat balls more flaky and harder to bind together.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: this is an optional add in! Mini chocolate chips are great because they are so small and easier to bite into, but regular chocolate chips would work as well!
Step By Step Instructions
Note: Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
STEP ONE: Add the peanut butter and maple syrup to a medium mixing bowl. Pour in the oats, then stir together with a wooden spoon. Add in chocolate chips if desired.
STEP TWO: If the mixture is sticky, place it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling into balls.
STEP THREE: Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll them in your hands to form the balls.
FAQs and Expert Tips
Using natural peanut butter can have the tendency to dry the oat balls out the next day. If the mixture is dry before you’ve formed the balls, you can add another tablespoon of peanut butter until the consistency of the dough is more moldable.
I would not recommend reducing the sweetener, since the recipe relies on this amount in order to not be dry and crumbly. If using natural peanut butter, you’ll use more sweetener (notes are in the recipe card).
Yes! If you aren’t following a vegan diet, you can swap out the maple syrup at a 1:1 ratio with honey.
If your dough is too sticky to roll into balls, place it in the fridge for 10 minutes. The oats will absorb some of the liquid from the other ingredients and the dough will hold together more easily.
Yes! You can replace the peanut butter with cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower butter, or any other creamy “nut butter” you’d like!
Add In Suggestions
Mini semisweet chocolate chips are my personal favorite add in, but you can also add shredded coconut, chopped nuts, cranberries, or raisins. I also sometimes like to melt chocolate chips and drizzle them over top of the oat balls before refrigerating!
Expert Tips
- Weigh your oats: I always like to weigh the oats because there is a significant difference between the weight of one cup of old fashioned oats and one cup of large flake oats.
- Chill the dough: You can chill the dough for 10-15 minutes, making it easier to roll the dough into balls.
- If using natural peanut butter, increase maple syrup to 6 Tablespoons: Regular (Jif, Kraft, or Skippy) style peanut butter is sweeter than natural peanut butter, so you only need 4 tablespoons of maple syrup. If using natural peanut butter, which is unsweetened, you can increase the sweetener to 6 Tablespoons to give the oatmeal balls more sweetness and more liquid in the dough.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
The oatmeal balls can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature, or you can freeze them in a container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy!
More Snack Recipes You'll Love
If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (SEE NOTES!)
- 1⅔ cup old fashioned oats
- ⅔ cup smooth peanut butter (SEE NOTES if using natural peanut butter)
- ¼ cup semisweet mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Add the peanut butter and maple syrup to a medium mixing bowl. Pour in the oats, then stir together with a wooden spoon. Add in chocolate chips or other add ins if desired.
- If the mixture is sticky, place it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling into balls.
- Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll them in your hands to form the balls. Store or enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.
Brenda
Thanks for this great recipe! I made them several times. I added sunflower seeds to add an extra crunch, and they were delicious.
Gabby
I'm so happy to hear that Brenda! Love the idea of sunflower seeds, I'll have to try next time I make these 🙂
Carissa
I tried this recipe tonight and it was great! I substituted natural crunchy peanut butter. They were a hit with my family. I've been off refined sugar all week and it was nice to have a treat! Thanks!
Gabby
Hi Carissa! I am so happy to hear that you loved the recipe and that they were a hit! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review 🙂
Ash
made these for my boyfriend who loves chocolate and peanut butter. he couldn't stop raving about them!
Gabby
Hi Ash! I'm so happy that you both love them! Thanks so much for the review!
Alex
These are so good, I've made them 3 times already! I made them once using natural pb and the second time I used creamy peanut butter and added coconut flakes and chocolate chips. delish
Gabby
Hi Alex! I'm happy to hear that you loved the recipe, thank you for the review!
Gabby
Hi Alex! I'm so happy to hear that! i love adding coconut flakes to mine too! Thanks for the review 🙂
Morgan
These were awesome; quick and easy and super delicious! Definitely will make these again as go to snacks for the week!
Gabby
Hi Morgan, I am so happy to hear that you loved the recipe! Thanks for the review! 🙂
Elizabeth
These are so good! I just quickly made a batch and they're incredibly easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!
Gabby
Hi Elizabeth! I am so happy that you loved the recipe! Thanks for the review 🙂