No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls

These no-bake peanut butter oatmeal balls combine oats, nut or seed butter, cereal and dried fruit for a convenient snack. Protein and other nutrients vary with your chosen ingredients and portion size.

This flexible recipe uses pantry staples such as cereal, nuts, dried fruit and nut or seed butter. Check ingredient labels and choose combinations that suit any food allergies or dietary needs.

Ingredients You Need for these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

• Oats

• Cereal (anything you got!)

• Nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, walnuts, pecans etc.

• Dried fruit: raisins, craisins, dates, prunes, apricots, apples, pineapple, blueberries etc.

• Nut and/or seed butter ( you can even add in a couple different ones!)

• Honey

• Cinnamon

• Chocolate chips/chunks

• Chia or hemp seeds (if you have them!)

Preparation takes about 10 minutes, plus chilling time. The mixture can be pressed into bars or shaped into small portions. Children can help with age-appropriate tasks under adult supervision.

Ways Your Kids Can Help Make these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

• Measure out ingredients

• Use their creativity to help pick out which nuts/dried fruit/nut butter/cereal to use in the recipe

• Pour, mix, mash ingredients together

• Scoop and shape into balls/circle

Ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned oats

• 1 cup cereal ( e.g. Cherrios or Corn Flakes)

• 1/3 cup nuts

• 1/3 cup dried fruit

• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 2 tablespoons chia and/or hemp seeds

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 cup natural nut or seed butter

• 1/4 cup honey

Instructions

• In a large bowl add oats, cereal, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips and cinnamon. Mix together.

• In a small bowl add peanut butter and honey. If needed, heat for 30 seconds to make it easier to mix.

• Add peanut butter and honey mixture to dry mixture and mix to combine.

• Using a spoon, mix and press the ingredients together. Portion about 1/8 cup of the mixture at a time and shape as desired. Lightly dampened hands can help prevent sticking. Place the portions on a clean plate or tray.

• Place cookie sheet in freezer for 10 minutes to allow granola bites to harden. Store granola bites in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the refrigerator.

For general questions about the practice, contact Professional Chiropractic & Rehab Center in Virginia Beach. Individual nutrition or allergy advice is best discussed with your medical clinician or registered dietitian.

Allergy and child-safety notes

This recipe contains common allergens, including peanuts or other nuts; cereal or chocolate may also contain wheat, milk or soy. A seed-butter swap is appropriate only if that seed is safe for the person eating it. Do not serve honey to children younger than 12 months.

Whole nuts, sticky nut butter, dried fruit and round snack balls can pose choking risks for young children. Modify texture and shape for the child’s developmental stage and supervise eating while seated. This recipe is not intended as an infant food.

Further reading: CDC foods and drinks to avoid or limit.

Further reading: CDC choking-hazard guidance.