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There’s something magical about these oatmeal energy balls — little powerhouses of nutrition that have become my go-to solution for busy mornings, afternoon slumps, and pre-workout fuel. Today, I’m sharing my favorite collection of oatmeal energy balls that are not only nutritious but absolutely delicious!
I started making these energy balls when my kids were little and needed quick, nutritious snacks between activities. Over the years, they’ve become our family’s go-to for road trips, hiking adventures, and busy workdays.
The best part? Everyone can pick their favorite flavor, and I feel good knowing we’re all fueling our bodies with wholesome ingredients rather than reaching for processed snacks.
No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls are an easy thing for the kids to grab out of the fridge. They travel great, are so easy to make, and taste like a cookie! These are going to become a fast family favorite in your house, too.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love These Oatmeal Energy Balls Recipes
- Recipe Ingredients
- Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Video: How to Make No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
- How to Make No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
- Recipe FAQs
- Expert Tips
- Nutrition Boost Ideas
- More Energy Ball Snack Ideas
- More Healthy Snack Recipes to Consider
- 8 No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls Recipe
Why You’ll Love These Oatmeal Energy Balls Recipes
- No-bake convenience: Just mix, chill, roll, and enjoy!
- Meal-prep friendly: Make a big batch and grab throughout the week.
- Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients to suit dietary needs or preferences.
- Kid-approved: Little ones love these bite-sized treats!
- Perfectly portable: Toss in lunchboxes, gym bags, or purses for on-the-go energy.
🍽️ Your family will never get tired of having these easy and filling snacks on hand — batch cook and make ahead to your heart’s content!
Recipe Ingredients
- Sweet and Salty: oats, almond butter, honey, pretzels, almonds
- Blueberry Muffin: oats, almond butter, honey, dried blueberries, cinnamon
- Peanut Butter Cookie: oats, peanut butter, honey, peanuts
- Vegan Banana: banana, oats, vegan mini chocolate chips
- Monster Cookie: oats, peanut butter, honey, peanuts, mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: oats, peanut butter, honey, mini chocolate chips
- Double Chocolate: oats, peanut butter, honey, cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookie: oats, almond butter, honey, raisins, pecans, coconut
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Popular Substitutions and Variations
Oats: You can use quick-cooking instead of old-fashioned oats. They are still considered a whole grain because the oats are just cut smaller. If you use old-fashioned oats, the texture will be chewier. I found that a mix of the two was the best, though using one or the other will work well too.
Vegan: To make No-Bake Oatmeal Energy balls vegan, you could try substituting agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or maple syrup for the honey. (I haven’t tested these but they should all work – you may need to add a little more if the “dough” is too dry.)
Nut Butter: You can use peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, pecan butter, sunbutter, and just about any other nut butter that you like, though it will change the flavor of the oatmeal energy balls.
Almond butter works the best if you don’t want a lot of flavor from the nut butter. For example, it works the best in the Blueberry Muffin No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls because almond butter doesn’t overpower the other ingredients like peanut butter would.
Extra Add-Ins: Add what you love. Don’t let these recipes stop you from adding what you think sounds good or what you might have on hand; these are just to get you started.
👉 Get all 8 of these no-bake oatmeal energy bite recipes sent to your email with this FREE 1-page cheatsheet!
Video: How to Make No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
How to Make No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
Step 1: Put the nut butter and honey in a small bowl and mix them together.
Step 2: Add the oats and other “mix-ins” according to the recipe you are following below and mix together well.
Step 3: Let the mixture chill for 30 minutes and then roll a heaping tablespoon of “dough” into a ball.
Step 4: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. Makes about 10 to 12 balls per recipe.
Recipe FAQs
I have found that a mix of old-fashioned and quick-cooking oats (also called 1-minute oats) gives the energy balls the best texture. But you can use all old-fashioned oats or all quick-cooking oats if it’s what you have.
If you want the energy balls to maintain their whole-grain status, you need to use either old-fashioned oats, quick-cooking oats, or a combination of the two.
In addition to the mix-ins in these 8 recipes, you can also add in some “superfoods” if you want to increase their nutritional value. Throw in a tablespoon of chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and/or hemp hearts to any of these recipes.
You may have added too many dry ingredients. The fix is easy – add something sticky like a little more nut butter or honey.
Make sure that the mixture has rested for the full 30 minutes. If it’s still too sticky to handle, mix in an extra tablespoon of oats until the mixture has the right level of stickiness to work with.
Expert Tips
- Batch Prep: Make a double or triple batch so you have enough for the whole week – put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or store them in the freezer for up to three months.
- Measure Well: Be sure to measure the oats and add-ins accurately. If you use heaping measuring cups, it will throw off the ratios and the energy balls won’t stick together well.
- Let It Rest: Rest time is a must. Don’t skip it because this is when the oats absorb some of the moisture, which helps everything stick together properly.
- Sticky Hands: Wet your hands slightly before rolling to prevent sticking.
Nutrition Boost Ideas
Take these energy balls to the next level by adding:
- 1-2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder
- 1/4 cup grated carrots (works especially well in the cinnamon varieties)
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
More Energy Ball Snack Ideas
If you’re family enjoys these types of easy snacks, then you’ll want to try some of the other flavor combos I’ve found!
- Blueberry Muffin Date Balls: Full of protein and good fat and made with whole foods.
- Peanut Butter Protein Balls: Quick to make, delicious, and a healthy treat to have on hand to munch on.
- Pumpkin Date Balls: With three fantastic flavor combinations to try — especially loved during the fall season!
More Healthy Snack Recipes to Consider
Dip Recipes
Lemon Garlic Hummus Recipe Without Tahini
Healthy Snacks
Medjool Date Protein Bites: No-Bake Sweet Treat
Healthy Snacks
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
8 No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
Ingredients
Monster Cookie Energy Bites
- 1 cup dry oats, old fashioned, quick-cooking, or a mix of the two
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup mini M&Ms
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Blueberry Muffin Energy Bites
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites
- 1 cup dry oats, old fashioned, quick-cooking, or a mix of the two
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Sweet and Salty Energy Bites
- 1 cup dry oats, old fashioned, quick-cooking, or a mix of the two
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted salted almonds
- dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Peanut Butter Cookie Energy Bites
- 1 cup dry oats, old fashioned, quick-cooking, or a mix of the two
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Energy Bites
- 1 cup dry oats, old fashioned, quick-cooking, or a mix of the two
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup toasted coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Double Chocolate Energy Bites
- 1 cup dry oats, old fashioned, quick-cooking, or a mix of the two
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Vegan Banana Oatmeal Bites
- 1 ripe medium banana, not too overripe
- 1 cup dry oats, old fashioned, quick-cooking, or a mix of the two
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
For the Energy Bites (first 7 sets of ingredients)
- Add the nut butter and honey and stir to combine well. Add all of the other ingredients and stir to combine well.
- Refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes.
- Use a spoon to scoop about a tablespoon of the cookie ball mixture into your hand. Roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture. This should make about 12 oatmeal energy balls.
- Store the balls covered in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
For the Banana Oatmeal Bites:
- In a medium bowl, add the peeled banana and mash thoroughly with a fork.
- Add the dry oats and chocolate chips and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate until the mixture holds together, about 30 minutes.
- Use a spoon to scoop about a tablespoon of the energy ball mixture into your hand. Roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture. This should make about 12 oatmeal energy balls.
- Store the balls covered in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- If your oatmeal bites aren’t sticking together well after the resting time, add another tablespoon or two of nut butter or honey.
- If the mixture for the energy balls are too sticky even after resting for 30 minutes, add a few more tablespoons of oats until you can handle the dough.
- Keep in mind that different factors like the type of oatmeal and the mix-ins you add are going to affect the “stickiness” of the energy balls.
- If the energy ball “dough” is sticking to your hands badly, wet your hands lightly with water! The water helps to be able to work the dough into a ball without sticking.
- You can customize any of these recipes with different mix-ins – use what you have on-hand!
- To boost the nutrition in these energy balls, add a tablespoon of “superfoods,” such as chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and/or hemp hearts. (You might need to add a little more nut butter or honey if these extra absorb too much moisture).
Think you could switch the peanut butter for PB2?
I think you could if you reconstituted it or if you added more honey. Just the powder wouldn’t probably be sticky enough to hold the balls together.
I used the basic ratio of oats to nut butter to honey and added in toasted almonds, toasted coconut, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chips. I also toasted the oats for a little more flavor. I doubled the batch and left it as is in my fridge. When the kids, my fiance, or I want them or take them to work/school we just scoop out some and go. It’s a bit easier for my family. They also freeze really well
These are so amazing! I roughly followed the recipe (I didn’t exactly measure most of it, guesstimated it) but boy oh boy did they turn out delicious! I was surprised that the raisin ones were my favorite! I wasn’t a big fan of the monster ones. The double chocolate ones tasted much better than I expected too. Yum!!
These are great! I also discovered I can press the mixture down firmly into a container, refrigerate and cut into squares. Not as cute but faster for me. Thanks for all the variations!
Wait what… that’s a great idea!!!
What can you replace peanut butter with?
Any nut or seed butter that you like!
how do we get the 8 recipes in one “printable”? no link to click.
this is great, but you’re not supposed to cook the oats?
Nope, just the raw oatmeal.
Can you use steel cut oats? 3 minutes or regular?
Steel cut won’t work, they are too thick and chewy I think but if you did try it I’d love to hear how it goes.
I can’t wait to try these great recipes. Thank you,T
I just made the Monster Cookie ones and they taste really great. I’m having an issue with rolling them though. They seem really sticky, but they won’t stick after I roll a couple. Do you think it’s the type of peanut butter I’m using (just regular Skippy) or do I need to add more? I would love to make these every few weeks, but I wouldn’t really want to if they are always going to be a headache to roll. Thanks for all the hard work in sharing these recipes!
I’d add a bit more honey and let it sit in the fridge a minute longer or try reducing your oats by 1/4 of a cup. You should have no problem rolling them out, just play with it a bit!