These 5 ingredient healthy peanut butter balls are an easy recipe for kids to make all on their own. Made with oats, peanut butter, and honey, these won't last long!
Cooking with kids has so many benefits including encouraging children to try new foods, learning how food is made, spending quality time together, and building a strong foundation for healthy eating in the future.
My kids are now in middle school, but the time we spent in the kitchen when they were younger helped spark their interest in continuing to help in the kitchen today.
When I get my kids helping in the kitchen, they are both still more likely to try (and eat) the healthy foods we make together.
I recently got to spend the day with my 4-year-old niece. She was very excited to get to "cook", but I secretly think I was more excited than she was!
Cooking with a child is a special occasion in my book, and I miss these days of watching the awe and excitement in a young child's eyes as they get to do these cooking tasks on their own.
While my niece Lucy was over, we made 4 different recipes. And she didn't get tired of cooking the whole time.
Related: 40 Kid-Friendly Peanut Butter Recipes
These peanut butter balls were her favorite. She couldn't stop talking licking her hands and talking about how good they were!
These peanut butter balls are after-school snacks at my house quite often. They are super easy and are really, really good!
If you have smaller kiddos ages 2 - 5, they will need some assistance measuring out the ingredients, stirring, and rolling the balls.
Kids 6 and up will be able to do most of the recipe on their own.
Looking for more Easy Recipes for Kids? Try these!
- Stacked Blueberry Smoothie
- Quesadillas
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
- Mug Pizza
- Energy Balls
- Fruit Parfait
- Millet Porridge
- Homemade Soda
What you need To Make Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls
Tools Needed Include:
- 1 medium-sized bowl
- 1 wooden stir spoon
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- cookie scoop or 2 tablespoons
- container for storage
Ingredients:
- 2 cups quick-cook oats
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Pro Tip: Spray your measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray before measuring the honey. The honey will come out much easier!
How To Make This Easy Snack Recipe:
Carefully measure the ingredients and add them to the medium-sized bowl. Using a sturdy stir spoon, stir until well blended.
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoons to measure out about 2 tablespoons worth of dough. Roll in between your hands to form balls.
Store the Peanut butter balls in a ziplock bag or a large container with a lid. They keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
If you're looking for more fun recipes for kids to make I am enjoying these!
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick cook oats
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl until well blended.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoons to roll into bite-sized balls. Place into a ziplock bag or container with a lid.
Nutrition
Leslie says
This is a great recipe thank you for sharing it. I was inspired to try to make these treats without the 1/2 cup of honey as a sweetener. I substituted 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 2Tbs Maple syrup and 1Tbs coconut oil. These added coconut flavor,a little bit of sweetness and helped it all stick together in the balls without using the 1/2 cup honey.
Create Kids Club says
I love your substitutions, Leslie! I am going to have to give that a try! My kids don't care for coconut, but I'm thinking with all the other flavors they may not even notice... Thanks for sharing!
Tara says
My kids love this simple recipe! Perfect to whip up for quick snacks!
Crystal says
Would they need to be refrigerated or could you premake and send them as a treat for school lunches? Thanks
Create Kids Club says
Hi Crystal! These can totally be premade and send as a treat in school lunches! My kids love finding these in their lunchbox! 🙂
Donna E. says
Great recipe for a go to snack. Gave it 4 stars because the mixture sticks to your hands as you roll the balls. Spraying them with a cooking spray helps . Added coconut for just a different twist !
Create Kids Club says
Thanks Donna! I agree, that while these are a favorite at my house, they do stick to your hands while rolling them out - my first ones are always prettier than the end ones! Did the coconut help cut back on the stickiness? I'd love to hear! Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!
Jen says
These were great! I only have old fashioned oats left in my house and am getting requests to make more. Do you think i could substitute for the quick oats?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Jen - so glad to hear you enjoyed them! I've never tried them that way so I'm not sure. Try mixing a spoon full with a bit of peanut butter and seeing if the texture is ok. If so, I'd say go for it!