Are Peanut Butter Power Balls Healthy?

They can be a good make-ahead breakfast or snack. The oats provide fiber, peanut butter adds protein and fat. They are still sweetened with honey and contain chocolate chips, so I think of them as a convenient, filling option rather than a “health food.”

Can I use quick oats?

You can, but the balls come out softer and stickier. Old-fashioned rolled oats hold their shape better and are what I'd use.

Can I use gluten-free oats?

Yes, gluten-free oats can be subbed for rolled oats at a 1:1 ratio.

Can I substitute another type of nut or seed butter for the peanut butter?

Yes. Almond butter, sunflower seed butter, whatever you have. If the mixture turns out too sticky to roll, add a little more oats. If it is crumbly and won't hold, add a little more nut butter.

My oat mixture is too thick, what happened?

Probably the peanut butter. Brands vary a lot. Add more peanut butter a spoonful at a time until it holds together.

No Bake Peanut Butter Power Balls

Description

No Bake Peanut Butter Power Balls are made with 6 simple ingredients in about 10 minutes. No food processor required. Keep them in the freezer for an easy breakfast or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

1¼ cups (115g) old-fashioned rolled oats
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup (130g) creamy peanut butter
¼ cup (85g) honey
¼ cup (45g) semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Combine the dry ingredients: Stir the old-fashioned rolled oats (1¼ cups) and salt (⅛ teaspoon) together in a large bowl.
Add everything else: Add the creamy peanut butter (½ cup), honey (¼ cup), semisweet chocolate chips (¼ cup), and vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) to the bowl.
Mix: Stir with a rubber spatula until the oats are coated and the mixture holds together when you press it.
Scoop, then roll: Scoop the whole batch into 1o portions on a parchment-lined sheet pan first, then go back and roll them all at once with damp hands. Freeze about 15 minutes to firm up.

Notes

regular peanut butter is easiest: This was developed with the Jif or Skippy kind. Natural peanut butter works, but if the mixture is too soft to roll, add a little more oats.

oats matter: Old-fashioned oats are what you want. Quick oats work but roll up softer and stickier. Do not use steel-cut.

make them gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.

storage: Keep in the fridge up to 1 week or the freezer up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ball
Calories: 178
Sugar: 11.6 g
Sodium: 84.4 mg
Fat: 8.2 g
Carbohydrates: 21.4 g
Protein: 4.7 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg