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    Home > Recipes > No Bake Desserts > 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

    3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

    Published on January 7, 2022. Last updated on September 12, 2022. By Gabby. 13 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls in a bowl with oats scattered around

    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.
    3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls with chocolate chips in a bowl with chocolate chips scattered around

    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!
    Ingredients needed to make 3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls in bowls with labels

    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.

    step by step showing how to make 3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    Why are my oatmeal balls dry?

    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.

    Can I reduce the amount of sweetener?

    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).

    Can I make these peanut butter oatmeal balls with honey?

    Yes! If you aren’t following a vegan diet, you can swap out the maple syrup at a 1:1 ratio with honey.

    Why is my dough sticky?

    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.

    Can I make these peanut free?

    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!

    Close up image of peanut butter balls with chocolate chips in a bowl a bite is taken out of one so you can see inside

    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

    • Vegan Zucchini Muffins
    • Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
    • Banana Carrot Muffins
    • Dairy Free Banana Bread (One Bowl!)

    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 balls with chocolate chips in a bowl

    3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

    Gabby
    These 3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls take just 5 minutes to prepare and are a super quick and easy healthy snack! Vegan and gluten free!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 oatmeal balls
    Calories 90 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowl

    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

    MAPLE SYRUP/HONEY: Increase to 6 Tablespoons if using natural peanut butter
    PEANUT BUTTER: Since natural peanut butter is drier, if you make this recipe with natural peanut butter, the oat balls may dry 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.
    OATS: Old fashioned oats work best. Weighing your oats using a kitchen scale is the most accurate way to ensure that the oatmeal balls aren't too dry. I don't recommend using quick oats, as the oatmeal balls will be flakier and harder to bind together.
    Storage and Freezing:
    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!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 41mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1IUCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brenda

      March 13, 2023 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks for this great recipe! I made them several times. I added sunflower seeds to add an extra crunch, and they were delicious.

      Reply
      • Gabby

        March 13, 2023 at 5:07 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that Brenda! Love the idea of sunflower seeds, I'll have to try next time I make these 🙂

        Reply
    2. Carissa

      January 23, 2022 at 4:49 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Gabby

        January 23, 2022 at 6:29 pm

        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 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ash

      January 12, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      made these for my boyfriend who loves chocolate and peanut butter. he couldn't stop raving about them!

      Reply
      • Gabby

        January 13, 2022 at 4:22 pm

        Hi Ash! I'm so happy that you both love them! Thanks so much for the review!

        Reply
    4. Alex

      January 11, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Gabby

        January 12, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        Hi Alex! I'm happy to hear that you loved the recipe, thank you for the review!

        Reply
    5. Gabby

      January 11, 2022 at 9:46 pm

      Hi Alex! I'm so happy to hear that! i love adding coconut flakes to mine too! Thanks for the review 🙂

      Reply
    6. Morgan

      January 09, 2022 at 1:43 am

      5 stars
      These were awesome; quick and easy and super delicious! Definitely will make these again as go to snacks for the week!

      Reply
      • Gabby

        January 09, 2022 at 9:58 pm

        Hi Morgan, I am so happy to hear that you loved the recipe! Thanks for the review! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Elizabeth

      January 07, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good! I just quickly made a batch and they're incredibly easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Gabby

        January 07, 2022 at 6:08 pm

        Hi Elizabeth! I am so happy that you loved the recipe! Thanks for the review 🙂

        Reply

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