Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls
Quick, Delicious and Nutritious
Table of Contents
Probably one of my favorite desserts is chocolate peanut butter cookies. It combines two of the best ingredients—chocolate and peanut butter. Except, they’re not the healthiest treat, especially the way I bake them. So when I’m craving a healthier alternative, I like to make peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal balls.
These delicious balls are naturally sweet and creamy, and the only processed sugar in this recipe is in the chocolate chips. I swear—these do not taste healthy, and that’s important to note. There are a lot of faux desserts out there that may be healthy but are far from tasty. But if you’re in the mood for something more decadent, you’ll love our easy Oreo balls recipe.
I should also add that this is an oven-free dessert that only takes about 15 minutes to rustle up. It’s great for last minute parties and warm summer days when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen. Best of all, you can find all these ingredients at your grocery store.
Are Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls Healthy?
As far as desserts go, yes, these peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal balls are absolutely healthy. Let’s start off with the secret super ingredient: chia seeds. These little marvels are known to reduce cholesterol as well as improve your heart and digestive health. It’s loaded with fiber, healthy fats, magnesium, and more. And if you’re worried your kids will notice the taste, the peanut butter and chocolate will mask the chia seeds’ already subtle flavor.
Aside from the chocolate chips, this recipe is devoid of processed sugar and packed with healthy and sweet substitutes like Medjool dates and coconut flakes. Even the oats contain a natural sweetness. And to make these balls even healthier, ditch the Jiff and Skippy for real peanut butter. What is real peanut butter, you ask? Well, it’s peanut butter made with just one ingredient—peanuts. Real peanut butter uses the natural oil from the peanuts as opposed to the nasty hydrogenated stuff filled with extra saturated fat, sugar, and salt.
The Marvelous Medjool Dates
Medjool dates—have you heard of them? Chances are, you’ve seen them in the produce aisle or the bulk bin at your grocery store. In fact, it’s the most common date in America, and a lot of times, the package won’t even say “Medjool” on it. Though, just because they’re common doesn’t necessarily mean they’re popular amongst the general populace. I admit they’re not the first dried fruit I plunge for. I’m more into dried apricots person myself. Sidenote: Please don’t sub the Medjool dates for apricots.
So, are these oversized raisins any good? You bet. I find that Medjool dates have a maple syrup or caramel-like sweetness, which is why I think they’re the perfect sugar alternative. Sure, it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, but they’re useful too. The dates’ sticky, dense texture plays nicely with the peanut butter, acting as a binding agent for the rest of the ingredients. This is one ingredient you definitely don’t want to leave out.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup Peanut Butter
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 10 Medjool Dates pitted
- ½ cup Coconut Flakes
- ¼ cup Chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Chuck the oats and coconut into your food processor and let it whirl until you’ve got a gritty mix.
Blend
Toss in your dates, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and chia seeds and go to town until it looks silky and begins to meld together.
Shape
Take chunks about twice the heft of your average tablespoon, roll them between your palms into cute little spheres. DEVOUR!
FAQs & Tips
For short term storage, add a layer of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. If you’d like a tastier way of keeping them stick-free, sprinkle them with cocoa powder, coconut flour, or even powdered sugar. They should stay fresh in your fridge for around a week. If you want to store them even longer, feel free to put them in the freezer. Just be sure to use freezer-safe baggies or containers. For best results, freeze the balls on a baking sheet first beforehand.
While the texture and taste may come out differently, you certainly can. Personally, I’d go with cashew butter because of its creamy taste, but almond butter and even sunflower seed butter are worthy alternatives.
The thickness of your oats and the consistency of your peanut butter can change the texture and moistness of this recipe. If you find that your balls are dry, add more peanut butter. Don’t overdo it, though. Start with 2 or 3 tablespoons. Too much peanut butter will make the balls sticky. If that happens, don’t worry. You can just add some more oats.
If you plan on eating the oatmeal balls right away, I think it’s fine to keep them at room temperature. That said, if your house is running warm, I’d tuck these beauties in the fridge until you’re absolutely ready to serve them.
Serving Suggestions
I enjoy eating these peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal balls with a glass of milk or herbal tea like chamomile or rooibos. I also wouldn’t say no to a more, shall we say, adult beverage, like a White Russian or a Bushwacker Drink. And why not have a dessert with your side of dessert, like this gluten free favorite, the Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream Bowl?
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup Peanut Butter
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 10 Medjool Dates pitted
- ½ cup Coconut Flakes
- ¼ cup Chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
Instructions
- Place the oats and coconut into a food processor and blend until they form a coarse crumb.
- Add the dates, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and chia seeds in and blend until it is quite smooth and you can see it start to come together.
- Break off pieces about the size of two tablespoons and then roll them into balls.
Nutrition
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