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Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Snacks

Healthy Peanut Butter Energy Balls {4 ingredients}

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Mar 4, 2025 | Published: Jan 7, 2019
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Healthy peanut butter energy balls are just 4 wholesome ingredients and so easy to make! They’re great for a post-workout snack, afternoon snack or on-the-go energy boost!Close up of four peanut butter energy balls on a small white plate with orange slices.

We are one week into the new year... are you feeling good? Eating well and exercising? Staring down those healthy lifestyle goals and telling them, "I got you! I'm all over this!"

I sure hope so! And I hope I can keep bringing you yummy recipes to meet those goals and keep you satisfied and happy.

Which is how we're ending up here...

Today I’m bringing you a healthy snack for the new year: peanut butter energy balls!

These gorgeous little bites are no-bake, naturally sweetened and just 4 ingredients!

(They’re also gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free.)

Plus, they’re super easy to make - just add everything to the food processor, roll up the mixture and you are good to go!

Healthy peanut butter energy balls arranged on a white plate with a turquoise napkin underneath

That’s true of most energy balls and that’s why I love them so much.

All year round we love these chocolate peanut butter energy balls. Cause chocolate and peanut butter are just such a good combo.

My pumpkin protein energy balls are a fall favorite, my pumpkin cranberry energy balls help transition me to the holidays and then it’s all about my cranberry chocolate walnut energy balls in December.

Very seasonal, huh?

And now it’s the New Year and I want even easier, even healthier and still every bit as tasty when it comes to snacks.

(Shh, but these peanut butter energy balls may be my favorite of all of them!)

I love these no bake peanut butter balls for a post-workout snack, an after-school snack with the kids or for packing as a lunch treat - for them or us!

They’re super portable too, so they make a great healthy on-the-go snack option!

(You might also want to check out these high protein snacks for more snacking ideas.)

Healthy peanut butter energy balls on a white plate with a sprinkling of chia seeds and napkins underneath A hand picking up a round peanut butter energy ball from a plate.

Notes on peanut butter energy balls:

  • The mixture will be crumbly in the food processor but it sticks to itself and rolls into balls. If you want them more firm, just refrigerate them after you’ve rolled them and they’ll set up even more.
  • I use a natural peanut butter with salt but no added sugar. If yours is unsalted, you may want to add a pinch of salt when making these energy balls.
  • You could substitute almond butter for the peanut butter if you want them to be peanut-free.
  • You could also add 2-3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips if you wanted chocolate peanut butter energy balls.
  • I get 9 large (golf ball-sized) balls from this recipe, but you could roll smaller balls if you prefer.
  • These store great in the fridge for up to a week.

Four peanut butter energy balls on a small white plate with orange slices with some dates in the background.

And now, for some nerdy food fun…

All about Medjool dates:

If you aren’t familiar with Medjool dates, they are one of the most popular varieties and are known for their large size, soft texture and rich flavor. They’re sweet and chewy with a bit of a caramel flavor.

They’re originally from Morocco but are grown several other places now as well, including in the U.S.

They actually are a fresh fruit, not a dried fruit. They are harvested and packaged for stores, with nothing added.

Dates are high in natural sugars, but they’re also high in fiber so they don’t spike your blood sugar like some high-sugar or high-carb foods.

Medjool dates can be found in the produce section of the grocery store. My store displays them on an end-cap near the apples and bananas, in a big box where you can pick out how many you want.

You can also buy a pre-portioned carton of dates in some stores, such as Trader Joe’s. Or order some online.

Dates have a small pit in the middle that needs to be removed before eating them or using them in a recipe. Simply use a sharp knife and cut down the side of the date to open it up. Then you can easily pull the pit right out of the middle.

Healthy peanut butter energy balls on a white plate with sliced oranges and one being held up

Dates are really great for snacking. I love smearing the inside with a dab of peanut butter - so yummy! And they’re also so great for using as a natural sweetener in no-bake treats, like this peanut butter energy balls recipe!

I hope you give these a try for a healthy, all natural, delicious energy bite for the new year.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

Psst… You may also want to check out these delicious energy ball recipes:

- No bake chocolate chip cookie balls (also 4 ingredients)

- No-bake blueberry oatmeal cookie balls

- No-bake oatmeal raisin cookie balls

- 10-minute chocolate cookie balls

Four peanut butter energy balls on a small white plate with orange slices with some dates in the background.
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4.50 from 2 votes

Healthy peanut butter energy balls {4 ingredients}

Healthy peanut butter energy balls are just 4 wholesome ingredients and so easy to make! They’re great for a post-workout snack, afternoon snack or on-the-go energy boost!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Yield: 9 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Medjool dates, about 10 large dates, pitted and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • ⅔ cup old-fashioned rolled oats

Instructions

  • Add chopped dates to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until broken down into smaller chunks.
  • Add remaining ingredients and process until well combined. Add a tablespoon of water, if needed, to help the mixture break down and come together. The mixture will be crumbly but should stick to itself when pressed between two fingers.
  • Use your hands to roll the mixture into 9 similar golf-ball sized balls. (You can wet your hands slightly if the mixture is sticking to you.)
  • Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to chill the balls and help them set up even more.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

I use a natural peanut butter with salt but no added sugar. If yours is unsalted, you may want to add a pinch of salt when making these energy balls.
You could substitute almond butter for the peanut butter if you want them to be peanut-free.
You could also add 2-3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips if you wanted chocolate peanut butter energy balls.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 26mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
Four peanut butter energy balls stacked on a small white plate with orange slices to the side.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kat @ Kat's 9 Lives

    January 07, 2019 at 10:10 am

    I love energy bites--especially when they only require a few ingredients! Do you think I could use raisins instead of dates?

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      January 07, 2019 at 3:07 pm

      Hi! I haven't tried this recipe with raisins, so I'm not sure. I don't think raisins are as juicy as dates (since raisins are dried and dates are not) and I'm not sure they're as sweet, so you may need to add some extra honey and water to get the consistency right. Would love to hear if you try it!

      Reply
  2. Helene

    January 09, 2019 at 1:29 am

    I don't eat much sugar because I get all kind of gum problems, so your protein balls are perfect. Can't believe they are dairy and gluten-free as well!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      January 09, 2019 at 6:58 am

      Awesome, I hope you love these Helene!

      Reply
  3. Toni

    January 10, 2019 at 8:07 pm

    Such a great snack idea for my kids! I am sure they'll love these!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      January 11, 2019 at 9:24 am

      I hope they do!

      Reply
  4. Holly

    January 14, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    These peanut butter energy balls are the perfect sweet treat! I love that they're gluten-free and that you used dates in place of sugar. So yummy!!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      January 14, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks Holly! We ALL love them in my house! (I'm about to make another batch 😊)

      Reply
  5. Erin @ Suburban Simplicity

    January 15, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    Always looking for easy and nutritious recipes! This one has my one of my favorite things - peanut butter! Yum!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      January 15, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      I think you'll love these little energy bites Erin!

      Reply
  6. Kevin W

    February 24, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    Made these for my girls this weekend (1 yo and 3 yo) and the littlest lines them. I used steel cut oats for a little chewy-nutty crunch, and the littlest and I loved them. I think 3 didn't like the steel cut variety, but she loves the chocolate chip no bake cookie balls. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      February 24, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      Awww, yay! I'm so happy you and your little girls love these - and the chocolate chip version too! Love that the steel cut oats worked; I bet that's a fun texture!

      Reply
4.50 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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