We eat a lot of oats at my house, so I try to come up with all kinds of fun ways to serve them so my kids don’t get tired of them. Vegetable oatmeal, baked apple oatmeal, overnight oats, muffins, pancakes, oatmeal bars, 3 ingredient cookies..I’m sure I’m leaving out something…. But you get the point. They’re such a versatile ingredient that you MUST keep in your pantry at all times. Especially if you want to make these oatmeal balls whenever you are in need of a quick energy boost!
What are oatmeal energy balls?
Energy balls or bites are a no-bake snack that you can whip up in minutes and are filled with nourishing ingredients that will energize you any time of the day. Your kids will love these oatmeal energy balls, too, as they are the perfect size for little hands and fun to eat. Feel free to add all kinds of mix-ins, like dried fruit and even grated veggies (shared below), for a super easy snack or even breakfast! These are also portable and make for a wonderful addition to lunch boxes and school snacks.
Ingredients
Oats – I like to use quick oats for these energy balls as the texture will be more like a cookie dough and will be easier for toddlers to eat. Use rolled oats (old fashioned oats) if you prefer a chewier texture. Steel cut oats will not work. Natural peanut butter – Helps bind the balls together and adds protein, fat, and a delicious nutty flavor. Smooth, natural style works best Overripe banana – While most recipes you see uses honey or maple syrup as a sweetener, you will love how delicious these oatmeal energy bites are with just the natural sweetness from the banana. Ground flax seed – for a boost of protein, fiber, and omega-3s as well as help make the mixture less sticky. Vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
You won’t even need a food processor blender for this!
Substitutions
No peanut butter? You can add almond butter, cashew butter, or any nut butter you wish. If there is an allergy or want to make it nut-free for school, use sunflower butter or pumpkin seed butter. Here’s how to make homemade sunflower seed butter. No banana? Use equal amounts of unsweetened applesauce or 3-4 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or date syrup. Gluten free? Make sure that the oats you’re using has a certified gluten-free label.
Add-ins
To this basic recipe, feel free to customize to our heart’s content by mixing in all kinds of ingredients and flavor combinations. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Dried fruit – like raisins, blueberries, apricots, dates (be sure to finely chop any large fruits) Unsweetened coconut Finely chopped nuts or seeds (like chia seeds or hemp seeds) Finely grated carrots or even zucchini (might sound strange but my kids love it and such an easy way to get more veggies into their bellies) Mini chocolate chips Cocoa powder Spices – like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice
Keep in mind, the addition of extra ingredients may change the texture, especially grated vegetables. So add a bit more peanut butter or banana if the dough is dry. If too sticky, add more oats (1 tablespoon at a time).
Tips for Success
The texture of your oatmeal bites will differ depending on the oats you use. Quick cooking oats are what my kids prefer as the balls resemble more of a cookie dough. Use rolled oats if you want the balls to be chewier. Be sure to mash and then measure so you have exactly 1/2 cup. If you add too much, the oatmeal balls will be too wet. If your peanut butter is too thick, microwave briefly to make it easier to stir. If you prefer sweeter energy balls, you can add about 1/3 cup mashed banana plus 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup or leave out the banana completely and add 3-4 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or date syrup. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes after combining. It will make it much easier to roll into balls.
Storage
Transfer leftovers into an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Double or tripe the recipe and Freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend flash freezing, like I do with my muffins, and once frozen solid transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. That way they won’t all clump together.
More Energy Ball Recipes
