These vegan 3-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls are so easy to make with a few healthy, simple ingredients. They are completely vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Plus, they taste absolutely delicious and make the perfect morning snack, post-workout fuel, or midday work treat.
Every time I bring these oatmeal balls to a party or event, they are gone so quickly. Both kids and adults LOVE these convenient treats! The mix-in options are endless too, so you can get creative with adding all your favorite toppings.
If you love easy no-bake recipes like this, you have to check out these healthy banana cinnamon overnight oats or this strawberry blackberry banana smoothie. Both are great options for breakfast! Or, if you're looking for another peanut butter recipe, these peanut butter rice krispie treats are irresistible.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make - These are no-bake energy balls, which means they're ready to enjoy in less than 10 minutes! They are so easy and simple to make.
- Vegan and gluten-free - This recipe is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free when you use certified gluten-free oats.
- Healthy ingredients - There are no added sugars, gums, fillers, or artificial flavors in any of the ingredients. They are healthy and plant-based.
- Great energy source - These oatmeal balls are a delicious and powerful energy source with healthy carbs, protein, and fat to fuel your day.
Ingredients
Like the name states, you only need 3 healthy ingredients to make these oatmeal balls. Here are some helpful notes to help you choose the best ingredients:
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Both old-fashioned rolled oats and quick oats work well in this recipe. Use certified gluten-free oats if you want to make sure the oatmeal balls are gluten-free.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: I recommend using all-natural, creamy peanut butter that has a drippy consistency. I love using Crazy Richard's 100% Peanuts!
- Pure Maple Syrup: Make sure to use real pure maple syrup, not the artificial kind made from corn syrup. If you're not vegan, you can replace the maple syrup with honey if you prefer.
These are the only 3 ingredients you need to make the recipe, but feel free to mix in extra chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, or something else you like. Keep reading the blog post for a list of suggestions!
How To Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy and quick it is to make. You only need 10 minutes and one mixing bowl! Here are step-by-step instructions for making the peanut butter balls:
STEP 1: Add the creamy peanut butter and pure maple syrup to a large mixing bowl. Stir vigorously until the ingredients are well combined into a smooth, creamy mixture.
STEP 2: Pour the old-fashioned oats into the bowl with the peanut butter and maple syrup.
STEP 3: Fold the oats into the mixture with a large spoon or rubber spatula until evenly distributed. The mixture will be quite thick and sticky, this is good.
STEP 4: Use a 1-inch cookie scoop, or use your hands, to scoop the oatmeal mixture into evenly shaped balls. Place them on a separate tray or plate for serving.
TIP: If you have trouble rolling the oatmeal balls together, they could be too dry. You can add additional peanut butter or maple syrup to make them stickier and easier to roll. If the balls are too sticky and greasy, add more oats until they are the perfect texture. You can also mix some chocolate chips into a few of the balls!
Expert Tips
- Use a cookie scoop - This ensures you get evenly-sized oatmeal balls. You can roll them in your hands after scooping them to make them perfectly round.
- Add your favorite mix-ins - While these are 3-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls, they don't have to stay that way! Mix in some nuts, chocolate, or other delicious additions if you want.
- Enjoy them cold - This is a no-bake, no-chill recipe, but I think the balls taste delicious a little bit cold. Keep them in the fridge for 30 minutes to enjoy a colder snack that is especially perfect for summer days!
- Make a double batch - You'll get about 16 oatmeal balls from this recipe, but feel free to double or triple the recipe if you want multiple dozen oatmeal balls to take to a party or share with friends and family.
Easy Flavor Variations & Mix-Ins
These oatmeal balls are absolutely delicious as they are, but here are a few different ways you can make them even more flavorful:
- With Honey - You can replace the maple syrup with honey if you aren't vegan.
- With Chocolate Chips - Mix in ½ cup vegan mini chocolate chips for an extra delicious treat. Semi-sweet, milk or dark chocolate are all good options.
- With Almond Butter- Try using natural, creamy almond butter to make the oatmeal balls without peanut butter. The flavor is still totally delicious!
- With Raisins - Mix in ½ cup raisins for oatmeal raisin flavored peanut butter balls.
- With Chopped Nuts - I love to add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch in the oat balls.
You have to give these 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies a try sometime, too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can replace the maple syrup with honey if you prefer. They will not be vegan-friendly if you use honey, however.
If the balls are not sticking together, it is probably because they are too dry. Add additional peanut butter or maple syrup to make them more sticky.
Yes! Peanut butter oatmeal balls are a delicious healthy snack. They are made with only three healthy, plant-based ingredients and contain no added sugars. They are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and filled with healthy carbs, protein, fiber, and unsaturated fats.
Quick oats are not the first choice for making oatmeal balls since they are not as coarse and hearty as old-fashioned oats. However, you can still use quick oats with good results. If they are too sticky, add slightly more quick oats.
Storing & Freezing
These vegan oatmeal balls can easily be stored for later so you can enjoy them all week long. Keep leftover peanut butter oatmeal balls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You may also keep them in the fridge if you prefer to enjoy them cold.
To freeze the energy balls, place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer so they don't stick together. Keep them in the freezer for 2-3 months, and let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying them again.
More Healthy & Easy Recipes
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Recipe
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls (Vegan)
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats
- ¾ cup natural, creamy peanut butter I use Crazy Richard's 100% Peanuts
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
Optional Mix-Ins
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, vigorously stir together the creamy peanut butter and maple syrup until smooth.¾ cup natural, creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- Then, add the oats to the bowl. Use a large spoon or rubber spatula to fold the oats into the mixture until a thick, sticky dough forms.1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- If desired, mix in vegan chocolate chips, chopped nuts, raisins, or other toppings.½ cup vegan chocolate chips, ½ cup chopped nuts, ½ cup raisins
- Use a 1-inch cookie scoop to scoop the oatmeal mixture into evenly sized balls. Roll the balls gently between your hands to make them perfectly round.
- Place the oatmeal balls on a separate tray or plate for serving. Enjoy them immediately, or place them in the fridge to enjoy them cold.
- Store leftover oatmeal balls in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
Autumn says
Yum yum yum!! These oatmeal balls are so yummy and SO. EASY. I don't really have time to bake elaborate, fancy desserts so this recipe is totally my style: no-bake and super beginner friendly! Not to mention delicious. My kids devoured them. Totally going to make a double batch again soon! These energy balls will make the perfect work snack for me when I get hungry after lunch. Thank you!!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Autumn!
It makes me so happy that you loved this easy recipe! No-bake desserts and snacks are one of my favorites to make too. After all, it seems like all of us are always running short on time. LOVE that your kids enjoyed the oatmeal balls, too! Enjoy again and again!
Natalie says
Oh, this is delicious! It will be perfect to pack for my daughter's school lunch box. It's not easy to find something healthy that she likes, so this is perfect, thanks!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Natalie,
Packing these little treats for school lunch sounds perfect! I am so glad your daughter liked them. What a compliment that is! Enjoy!
nancy says
i love these peanut balls. so sweet and savoury and perfect for on the go!
i keep a jar on my desk just in case I get hungry!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Nancy! I'm so glad you love these peanut butter balls. I think I need to follow your recommendation of keeping a jar on my desk at all times! Sounds like the best way to do it!
Nancy says
These PB energy balls are perfect t and a great way to avoid a hanger melt down. I keep a jar nearby my office all the time.
Kat says
So delicious and moreish!
Andrea says
these oatmeal balls are the best! they were perfect for an on-the-go snack this weekend!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Andrea, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe and that you were able to enjoy the oat balls while you were out and about over the weekend. They are meant to be convenient and delicious!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
These will be a quick and easy snack to have on hand over summer break!
Amber says
These are sooo yummy!! I made them to eat as a pre-workout snack this week but I'm going to have to make another batch because I already ate them all haha! Luckily this recipe is super easy though and they truly taste delicious. I'm going to try making them with almond butter next time!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Amber! I'm so happy to hear that these worked out so well as a pre-workout snack. I think they are perfect for before and after workouts since they provide quick energy and keep you full for a little while. I hope you make them again and add them into your workout routine!
Erin says
These peanut butter oatmeal balls are so good! Great texture and so easy to make!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Erin,
Yay! I am so happy to hear you love the oatmeal balls. Thank you so much for leaving a review! I hope you make them again and again since they are so easy to enjoy.
Helena Vericker says
could mashed pureed banana be added to this? If so how much?
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Helena,
I have not tried adding banana, but you could try using 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup mashed banana. You may need to add more oats if the mixture is too wet and sticky.
Alex says
Has anyone tried making oat balls like these without sugar/ syrup etc? But still adding dried fruit/ chocolate etc for a tiny bit of sweetness? I've been enjoying making things like these, but wondering if I can make them a bit more plain/ savory without them being gross lol. When I make oatmeal for breakfast, it's just oats and PB with some craisins thrown in, and it's great, so I'm hoping that unsweetened oat balls might come out the same...
Sarah G says
Delicious protein balls that are so quick and easy to make. I used dark chocolate chips and they were perfectly sweet. Thanks for the great vegan recipe!