These classic peanut butter energy balls will help you roll through your week. Filled with oats, nuts, and seeds, and naturally sweetened with honey and dates. It's a quick and easy-to-make recipe that kids will love, too!

If you love the irresistible combination of peanut butter and chocolate, also try our peanut butter banana bread, peanut butter banana ice cream, or flourless chickpea peanut butter cookies.

a close up of peanut butter energy balls

There's nothing fancy about these classic energy balls, just some real food ingredients that pack a big nutritional punch. Made with oats, peanut butter, nuts, seeds, and chocolate chips, they're the right amount of sweet to satisfy a mid-afternoon craving or to keep you fuelled for your adventures.

There's no baking involved and they're super quick and easy to make. They last for months in the freezer and pack well for an on-the-go healthy treat any time of day.

While we're at it, we like to make a big batch because they never seem to last long enough. Road trips, races, hikes, busy workday? These little balls are for you!

Here's why you'll love them

We know that once you try these, they'll become a household favorite because:

  • They're easy to make
  • They're naturally sweetened
  • They're a healthier whole food treat that kids love, too
  • They contain chia seeds, a superfood, and complete protein
  • They travel well for a healthy snack on-the-go
  • They taste like oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough!

We also love serving this healthier crowd-pleasing snack at gatherings and on special occasions. Make a big platter or add them to your snack board for movie night, book club, wedding or baby showers, birthday parties, or as a healthier post-dinner treat.

the ingredients needed to make peanut butter energy balls

Here's what you'll need

Here's everything you'll need to make these tasty peanut butter energy balls:

  • Rolled oats – we use regular rolled oats for this recipe but you could use quick-cooking oats as well.
  • Peanut butter – a creamy all-natural peanut butter will help hold everything together.
  • Chopped nuts and sunflower seeds – for protein and a toothsome texture.
  • Shredded coconut – a little nutty and slightly sweet.
  • Chocolate chips – for a little chocolate decadence.
  • Honey – to make them sweet and make things stick.
  • Chia seeds – a natural superfood that will keep you feeling fuller longer.
  • Dates – for added sweetness and stickiness.

The good news about these little energy balls is that they're really versatile. No chia seeds? Use hemp or flax instead. No peanut butter? Sub any natural nut or seed butter you have on hand like almond or cashew butter, tahini, or pumpkin seed butter.

How to make peanut butter energy balls

These peanut butter energy balls take just minutes to make! Here's how they come together in a couple of easy steps:

  1. Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Now stir everything together until well combined, and pop it in the fridge to firm up for easy rolling.
  3. Scoop and roll them into evenly-sized balls.

Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Tip: chop the dates into fine little pieces to make sure they mix well into the dough. We sometimes like to pulse them a few times in a blender or food processor to break them up really well.

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

lots of peanut butter energy balls with chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Energy Balls: FAQS

Can I sub the peanut butter?

Absolutely, any creamy nut or seed butter will work well.

Can I swap the sunflower seeds?

Yep! You could use pumpkin seeds instead.

Can I swap the honey?

You bet! Pure maple syrup works well in place of honey. It's not quite as sticky so using maple syrup makes the balls a little trickier to roll, but it with a little patience you can do it!

What are the best nuts to use?

We like using peanuts but cashews, almonds, or walnuts all work really well.

How long do these last?

These are the perfect make-ahead snack. Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month. You can eat them straight out of the fridge but allow them to soften a bit at room temperature if they're coming from the freezer.

a hand holding a peanut butter energy ball.
a close up of peanut butter energy balls

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Yield: 20 balls
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
These classic peanut butter energy balls will help you roll through your week. Filled with oats, nuts, and seeds, and naturally sweetened with honey and dates. It's a quick and easy-to-make recipe that kids will love, too!

If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!

4.92 stars (12 ratings)
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup natural peanut butter
  • ⅓ cup chopped nuts, we like peanuts
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • ¼ cup unsweetened coconut
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 3 pitted dates, finely chopped

Instructions 

  • Place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
    ¾ cup natural peanut butter, 3 pitted dates, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 cup rolled oats, ⅓ cup chopped nuts, ¼ cup sunflower seeds, ¼ cup unsweetened coconut, ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon chia seeds
    image for recipe instruction
  • Use a wooden spoon to stir until everything is mixed together well. Put the bowl into the fridge for 15 minutes – this helps make the balls easier to roll.
    image for recipe instruction
  • Use a medium-sized cookie scoop or heaping tablespoon to portion the balls and then roll them into 20 energy balls. Enjoy!
    image for recipe instruction

Notes

These balls keep for at least a week in the fridge or frozen for much longer.
Serving: 1 energy ball, Calories: 126kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 44mg, Potassium: 105mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 1mg
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