Homemade Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Making homemade snacks is a great way to have healthy options on hand for your family. I’ve always loved keeping peanut butter protein balls (energy balls) in the pantry because they are so delicious and nutritious. This simple recipe is a fantastic snack for both kids and adults, and it only takes about 10 minutes to make. I’ve found that they are the perfect way to satisfy my own hunger strikes and are a much better option than highly processed snack foods like granola bars or kettle corn.
The process of making these is incredibly well-suited for meal prep. You can easily make a big bowl of them and they freeze beautifully for up to two months. It’s a great way to purge your house of less-healthy options and get rid of any artificial dyes and other junk. My personal favorites include oatmeal, flaxseed, and sometimes even some finely chopped trail mix. I’ve learned that you can put almost every kind of ingredient in them, from coconut to date energy balls.
I used to be so nervous about one of my favorite snacks, baked kale chips and how to make them, but with these protein balls, it’s a super easy process and you will not have any trouble. The secret is that you can adjust the ingredients to your liking. I often use 5 or 8 different ingredients to get the perfect texture and flavor. The most important part is the base of peanut butter and oatmeal. This ensures you have protein balls that are filling and provide great energy. I’ve been making them for years, and they are always a huge hit, including with my own family.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls: Ingredients & Substitutions
When it comes to the classic peanut butter protein balls, the base recipe is surprisingly versatile, allowing for many substitutions. I love the combination of creamy peanut butter with a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup—it’s the perfect way to get that stickiness you need to hold everything together without a lot of added sugars.
You can easily replace the peanut butter with an alternative nut or seed butter if you prefer. If you’re looking to make them vegan, simply use maple syrup. I suggest using either Quick-cooking oats or Old-fashioned oats for the texture, as both work great. You can discuss options for different textures, like using crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
One of the best parts is the mix-ins you can add. I always have a handful of mini chocolate chips or little bits of chocolate on hand for a treat, and shredded coconut is also an incredible addition. You can also add flaxseed, almond meal, and even finely chopped peanuts for more protein and healthy fats. The amount you use is totally up to you—just aim for a 1/2 cup or so, but you can adjust for your desired consistency. I’ve found that the best part of this recipe is that almost any additional ingredient can be omitted or used, so it’s easy to make a batch that everyone will love. For a less sweet version, you can place a focus on unsweetened ingredients.
How to Make Peanut Butter Energy Balls
To begin, you will need to combine all the wet ingredients in a large bowl. Add your preferred peanut butter and honey together, then stir in a touch of vanilla. Next, you will want to get your dry ingredients and mix-ins ready. I always start by adding the oats, a pinch of cinnamon, and flaxseed to the bowl. Once you have those combined, you can sprinkle in your mini chocolate chips and coconut. It’s important to stir everything until the ingredients are evenly distributed. You can also add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavors.
Mix-in Suggestions
One of the best parts of making oatmeal peanut butter balls is getting creative with different mix-ins. For a richer flavor, you can add different types of baking chips. I always have some dark chocolate chips on hand, and sometimes I’ll use milk chocolate or white chocolate chips as well. A small amount of cinnamon chips also works wonders. You can even decrease the amount of baking chips and use a tablespoon of chocolate or unflavored protein powder to increase the protein content.
For a nutty crunch, I often use a handful of nuts like chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Just make sure they’re in small pieces to help with the rolling process. You can also add dried fruit such as dried cherries, cranberries, or raisins. My secret to making these even better is to sprinkle in some shredded unsweetened coconut or a little collagen protein. You can also coat the outside of the balls with coconut.
The recipe is so versatile, you can change it every time to get a different taste. For a bigger batch, I’ll use a measuring spoon to get a consistent portion size before rolling. Then, once they are all rolled, I put the mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to let them chill. This helps them to set and become firm. The oats, peanut butter, and vanilla will combine and make these delicious peanut butter protein balls.
These are so great to eat as a quick cold snack, and I even made them for a friend who was looking for a recipe like lactation cookies. It’s easy to make them your own favorite snack.
Store or Freeze Instructions
Keep the peanut butter energy balls in a container that closes tightly in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to two months.