Peanut Butter Energy Balls (3 Ingredients)

These Peanut Butter Energy Balls are super simple 3-ingredient snacks ready in just 10 minutes and rich in protein and fiber.

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While the whole recipe is just below, don’t miss all my tips further down, including ingredient swaps, my cooking tips, and step-by-step shots!

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

These Peanut Butter Energy Balls are super simple 3-ingredient snacks ready in just 10 minutes and rich in protein and fiber.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10 energy balls

Calories: 114.8 kcal

Author: Carine Claudepierre

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Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

• ▢ 1 cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats - (note 1)
• ▢ ½ cup Peanut Butter (Unsalted) - (note 2)
• ▢ ¼ cup Maple Syrup - (note 3)

Optional

• ▢ ¼ cup Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips - (note 4)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, add peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract if used.
• Stir with a rubber spatula until creamy and smooth.
• Add oats, and any add-ins like seeds, chocolate chips, or cinnamon.
• Stir again to incorporate and form an even dough.
• Place the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes before rolling into ball.
• Spray a bit of olive oil in your hand, grab a tablespoon of batter, and roll into ball.
• Place each oatmeal ball onto a plate covered with parchment paper.

Notes

Note 1: If you don’t digest raw oats very well, roast them before using in the recipe. To do so, line the oats on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), and bake for 10-12 minutes until roasted and fragrant. Cool down at room temperature before using in the recipe or it will melt the chocolate chips if you add them.

Note 2: Use natural peanut butter, without added oil, or sugar. A nut-free option is sunflower seed butter. Other option like almond butter and cashew butter also work.

Note 3: Or agave syrup or coconut nectar.

Note 4: Mini chocolate chips are easier to incorporate in the batter, bigger chocolate chips make it difficult to firm up the balls. They are optional, but delicious for a crunchy chocolate flavor. Other ideas are dried raisins, dried cranberries, chopped Medjool dates.

Storage: Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1ball | Calories: 114.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.4g | Protein: 3.7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.9g | Sodium: 51.7mg | Potassium: 91.2mg | Fiber: 1.4g | Sugar: 5.4g | Calcium: 14.4mg | Iron: 0.5mg | Magnesium: 29.8mg | Phosphorus: 71mg | Zinc: 0.6mg

Ingredients and Substitutions

You only need 3 simple ingredients to make this recipe. Here’s how to pick and swap them.

• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats – These form the base of your energy balls, providing fiber and texture. If you have trouble digesting raw oats, you can roast them first (read the notes in the recipe card).  
• Peanut Butter – This ingredient binds the balls together and contributes to their rich flavor and protein content. Only use natural peanut butter without added oil or sugar. Sunflower seed butter is a good choice if you need a nut-free option, and almond butter or cashew butter are also fine.  
• Maple Syrup – This adds natural sweetness and helps hold the ingredients together. Agave syrup or coconut nectar also work well.  
• Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips – These are an optional addition that provides a delicious crunch and chocolatey flavor. Mini chocolate chips are easier to incorporate into the mixture.  

How to Make Peanut Butter Energy Balls

This recipe is super simple to make. Here’s how in a couple of pictures.

Combine the maple syrup and peanut butter in a mixing bowl.

Incorporate the rolled oats and optional ingredients and roll the balls.

Carine’s Tips

Let me share a few more tips for a perfect energy balls.

• Flavor Swaps – Easily create different energy ball flavors by swapping the chocolate chips for dried raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped walnuts.  
• Nut Butter Variations – Change up the taste by using cashew butter or almond butter instead of peanut butter.
• Spice It Up – Boost the flavors with optional additions like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spices, or vanilla extract.  
• Protein Boost – For an extra protein kick, I often add about 1/3 cup of high-protein seeds like hemp seeds or additional pumpkin seeds.
• Chilling Time – Don’t skip the 10-minute chilling time in the fridge before rolling. This helps the mixture firm up, making the balls much easier to form.
• Easy Rolling – Spraying a tiny bit of olive oil on your hands before rolling the mixture helps prevent sticking and makes the process smoother.
• Even Portions – Use a tablespoon to scoop the batter. This helps ensure all your energy balls are a similar size, making them look uniform and helping with consistent serving sizes.
• Roasting Oats – If you’re roasting the oats, make sure they cool down completely to room temperature before you mix them in, especially if you’re adding chocolate chips. Warm oats will melt the chocolate.

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