The perfect little snack, these No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls are a sweet little treat that take minutes to make. They are great for when you don’t want to turn on the oven, and are a fun treat to make with kids.
Beat the heat with no bake cookies! These cookie balls are a family favorite, along with these No Bake Cookies and these Haystack Cookies. Or make it fruity with these Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats.
If you love cookies that require no baking – whether it’s for when the weather gets too hot to turn the oven on, or if you are just looking for something easy to make – then I have the recipe for you!
Not a typical cookie, these little balls of goodness are so easy to make, and are perfect for popping into your mouth when you need a sweet treat.
Plus, they are super easy to make with the kids, so it’s a great activity that gets everyone involved, as well!
INGREDIENTS
- Old Fashioned Oats: I have only tested this recipe with old fashioned oats, but I’m guessing quick cooking oats would work. They might not stay together as well, though.
- Sugar: This is regular, granulated sugar.
- Butter: The butter needs to be at room temperature. Too soft or not softened enough and the cookies won’t roll together properly.
- Cocoa Powder: I used regular unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Peanut Butter: For even more peanut butter flavor, you could try replacing more of the butter with more peanut butter.
- Water: The dough will be a bit dry, and this little bit of water helps to bring it all together.
- Vanilla: Gives you lots of flavor!
- Powdered Sugar: I like to roll these in enough powdered sugar to coat the outside, but not a super thick layer. Otherwise, they just get messy when you go to eat them.
HOW TO MAKE THEM
These No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls are a breeze to make – they only take minutes and a couple bowls!
- Combine all of the ingredients except the powdered sugar. Mix it together until you have a dough. You could use a mixer, but I just use a bowl and a spatula.
- Roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls. I think it’s easiest to use a cookie scoop to make them uniform, then use clean hands to roll them into a ball.
- Roll the balls in the powdered sugar to coat them. Then place them on a plate.
- Refrigerate the cookies until they are set up, about 20 minutes.
TIPS AND TRICKS
You could technically make these a little bigger, but I find them pretty sweet, so a tablespoon sized ball is perfect for me.
I store them in the refrigerator. You can eat them straight from the refrigerator, but they are a little easier for the kids to eat if you let them sit out for about 10 minutes.
You can customize this recipe, as well! Some of the commenters on this recipe used mini chocolate chips, coconut, nutella, sunbutter – get creative!!
More Cookie Recipes the Kids Love
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Cake Mix Cookies
Meringue Cookies
Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, sugar and cocoa. With clean hands, mix in the water, vanilla, butter and peanut butter to form a dough.
- Wash hands, then roll the dough into balls 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Roll balls in confectioners’ sugar until thickly coated.
- Chill 20 minutes before serving.
Samantha says
Amazing! Thank you! I rolled the balls in unsweetened Coconut flakes, came out Really good!!!!!!!
Kim says
My mother made these when I was a little girl. I have continued the tradition and I am now 55.However, we never put peanut butter in ours. I recently missed placed my recipe and I’m so glad I found this! These remain my favorite dessert! My son doesn’t like them so more for me!
Sharon Jaque says
This recipe was incredible. Thank you for posting it.
Daphne says
This is so good. Honestly though you’ll want more sugar. And more vanilla. Also, you are going to get messy. It only makes about 14 balls though
Rosa says
I have just tryed the recipy, oowwee they are sum sweet, simple and no oven needed in this hot summer heat, yes they past my test, now tonight at dinner the family who knows it could happen. Oh you probly could substitute coco for sprinkles , thoughts with chocolate alurgies
Marlynn Arcilla-Luartes says
This is so sumptuous that my family and friends will enjoy but I have one question to ask…are the oatmeal used in this recipe raw or cooked??
Deborah says
The oats are raw.
Kimm says
Has anyone tried using quick cook oats in this recipe instead of rolled oats?
Daphne says
Yes it worked fine
Kim says
Great recipe! I tweaked it a bit, I used all natural extra smooth peanut butter with raw honey, and added golden raisins, my mouth is watering just thinking about them!
Samantha says
these sound great!!!!!
reena fleur villanueva says
Hello. I also am allergic to peanut butter. Could I use cookie spread instead? I like that it’s no bake since the oven is not functioning. Thanks!
Deborah says
I haven’t tried them with cookie butter, but I’m sure they’d be great!!
cheryl says
How long can u store them?
Deborah says
I’m not quite sure, but I’m sure they would be fine for several days up to a week.
tina says
just seen your oat choc no bake cookies what can I use in stade of coco I can have
tina says
sorry cant have coaco
Deborah says
I haven’t tried it with any substitution. You might be able to leave it out, but I’m not sure how they would turn out.
Nathalie says
Just made a practise batch (making with 126 children on Friday!) and swapped the peanut butter for golden syrup – Absolutely FABULOUS!!! Sooo easy and sooo tasty – THANK YOU!!
Deborah says
Yay – I’m so glad the substitution worked!!
Kate says
Hey! These look GREAT!
I was just wondering, do you know what I can substitute for the peanut butter? Someone said coffee to get a mocha effect but how much coffee? Any other ideas? Would love to try these, but I’m on a strict no-peanuts diet due to allergies.
Deborah says
I just had someone tell me that they used Golden Syrup in place of the peanut butter and it worked well.
Myranda says
Omy gosh these were AWESOME
Eric says
me and my sweet tooth, ran across the recipe and added nutella with the peanut butter. very nice for a quick treat.