Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
94
Published Oct 30, 2024, Updated Dec 17, 2024
This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
Make the best healthy peanut butter balls with only 5 simple ingredients! No powdered sugar or butter needed. They’re so easy to make and absolutely addictive!
Growing up, my absolute favorite holiday treats were nanny’s crescent cookies, no bake cookies, and of course, peanut butter balls. Clearly, I can’t resist the peanut butter and chocolate combo! After some recipe testing, I finally nailed a healthier version of peanut butter balls. Isaac even said they remind him of peanut butter cups, which is high praise in my book.
So if you’re in need of another holiday treat recipe, these balls should be added to your list. And if you’re taking them to a party, I highly recommend doubling the recipe because they’ll go fast, trust me! 🙂
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally sweetened – These peanut butter balls are sweetened with medjool dates, making them a delicious treat without any added sugar.
- Simple ingredients – Just a handful of wholesome ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and dates, plus a little chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth!
- Easy to make – No baking required! Just blend, roll, freeze, and dip for a fun, kid-friendly recipe.
- Healthy treat – Packed with fiber and healthy fats from oats and peanut butter, these are the perfect guilt-free snack or dessert.
Ingredients Needed
- medjool dates – the natural sweetness and sticky texture of dates hold everything together while adding a caramel-like flavor. My two favorite brands of Medjool dates are Natural Delights (found at local grocery stores) or Joolies, which I buy through Thrive Market.
- old-fashioned rolled oats – adds a bit of texture and fiber to balance out the sweetness.
- natural salted peanut butter – gives that creamy, salty peanut butter flavor we all love. Make sure to use a natural version for the best consistency!
- chocolate chips – I love using Lily’s chocolate chips for this recipe. They melt perfectly and make the coating extra rich.
- coconut oil – helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it a nice, glossy finish when it hardens.
Substitutions
- Peanut Butter – If you have a peanut allergy or just want to switch it up, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter are great alternatives. Just make sure it’s the natural, salted kind for the best texture and flavor.
- Coconut Oil – If you don’t have coconut oil, butter or ghee will work in a pinch. You just need a little fat to help the chocolate melt smoothly.
How to Make
Step 1: Add dates to food processor and pulse until dates are finely chopped.
Step 2: Add in oats and pulse a few more times until combined.
Step 3: Add peanut butter and process once more.
Step 4: Scoop out the dough, roll into balls, and place in the freezer.
Step 5: Melt your chocolate.
Step 6: Dip balls into chocolate, and place in the freezer again.
Brittany’s Tips!
- Freeze before dipping – Don’t skip this step! Chilling the peanut butter balls before dipping them in chocolate makes them firm and easy to coat. Plus, it helps the chocolate set quickly, giving you that perfect glossy finish.
- Make them bite-sized – Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the balls evenly. This keeps them uniform and the perfect size for snacking (plus, they’re just cuter this way!).
Make it a Fun Family Activity
These peanut butter balls are the perfect recipe to make with the whole family. Kids love helping out, and the best part is there’s no baking involved! Let your little ones roll the peanut butter mixture into balls—it’s sticky, messy, and so much fun.
Plus, who can resist sneaking a few tastes along the way? When it’s time to dip in chocolate, it’s all hands on deck! You can even have a mini taste test to see who makes the “best” dipped ball. Trust me, the whole family will be on board with these easy and delicious treats!
How to Store Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
Store the chocolate covered peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy! They should last about a week in the fridge and for longer storage you can keep them for up to a month in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some great ideas for swapping the peanut butter for something like sunflower seed butter or even tahini. My samoa energy balls are a great option if you’re looking for a date-based recipe that’s also nut-free. I also have these sun butter energy balls and coconut protein balls that are nut-free.
The easiest way is to use a fork or toothpick to dip each frozen peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off before placing it back on the parchment paper. Freezing the balls beforehand really helps with the dipping process!
If your date energy balls are falling apart, the dates might be too dry. To fix this, soak your dates in warm water for 10-15 minutes, then drain and pat them dry before using. The dough may seem crumbly at first, but give it a squeeze—it should come together. If it’s still too crumbly, you can add a few more dates or a small amount of water (start with 1 teaspoon) to help bind everything. Just be careful not to add too much water, as it can make the dough too wet.
When making energy balls with dates I like to use my food processor. A high-powered blender (like a Vitamix) can work to make energy balls in a pinch, but I prefer using my food processor because it chops the dates and nuts more evenly. Using a blender to make energy balls with dates can be done, but it’s kind of a pain and results in a sticky mess.
More Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats to Try
- 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites
- Healthy Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
Want More Protein Balls & Energy Bites?
- Energy Balls
- Cinnamon Raisin Cookie Protein Balls
- Almond Joy Protein Balls
- Vegan Protein Balls
- Coconut Protein Balls
- Thin Mint Protein Balls
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 10 medjool dates, I used Natural Delights
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup natural salted peanut butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips, I like using Lily's dark or milk chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Add dates to food processor or mini chopper and pulse until dates are finely chopped and form a sticky ball. Add in oats and pulse a few more times until combined. Add peanut butter and process until combined.
- Scoop out peanut butter dough by the tablespoon and roll into balls. Place balls on parchment paper. Place peanut butter balls in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes to an hour should do the trick. This step makes it easier to dip the balls into the chocolate.
- A couple minutes before taking the balls out of the freezer, combine your chocolate chips with the coconut oil and melt the mixture. Use a double boiler or microwave in 30 second increments (stirring after every 30 seconds) until the chocolate is melted.
- Dip chilled balls into the melted chocolate and roll until covered. Place back on parchment paper. Once all balls are covered, place in the fridge until chocolate has set. Store in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Storage: These peanut butter balls will be good in the fridge for one week, or in the freezer for up to a month.
- Substitutions: This recipe works well with your favorite nut butter, not just peanut butter. And if you’re nut-free, sunflower seed butter makes for a delicious swap!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Unfortunately, these were a miss for us. My mixture was pretty sticky. I think maybe I needed more oats, but they wouldn’t make a ball, just flattened. And my family didn’t like the taste. Made me sad because I was hoping for a healthier substitute to peanut butter balls, which we actually love.
Oh no! So sorry to hear that, Amy. I wonder what could have happened here. Was your mixture wet or just sticky?
These are every bit as good as my classic Christmas buckeye candies that were made with powdered sugar and graham crackers. Thanks for the recipe!
Oh yay!! So glad you loved this recipe, Becca. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
Can I just use date paste for these instead of whole dates and if so, is the ratio the same? Thank you, they look delicious!
Hi Stacy – I wouldn’t because the date paste will add more moisture to the mixture. I would stick to whole dates for this one!
These look yummy but I haven’t tasted mine yet. But, I make your Choc PB Protein balls weekly and your Choc PB protein smoothie every day so I know I will love them. Question: mine couldn’t roll into a ball and ended up more like a coin. I added the extra tablespoon of oats and that didn’t help – should I add more oats next time to firm them up so I can roll?
Hi Rebecca! Hmm, what was the consistency of your dough? Was it too wet or more on the dryer side? You might have needed a bit more PB if they weren’t sticking together!
Delicious!!
These are so good! They definitely don’t make it a week at my house!
YES! They don’t make it long at my house either! Glad they are a hit and you are loving them, Amy. Thanks for your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
Doubled or tripled the dates and oats and used homemade peanut butter with some almond flour mixed in. There were so delicious that we ate them all before we could even coat them with chocolate! There is a place in town that makes something similar and I was addicted…but now I can store them myself in the freezer! Thanks!
Yess! Love hearing that you are enjoying this recipe, Phaid. Thank you for coming back and sharing your review & star rating, I really appreciate it.
excellent post thank you for sharing
My husband LOVES peanut butter balls, but I rarely make them because of all the sugar. I made these this weekend and they are absolutely wonderful!!!! I 4x the recipe to have plenty. I had no problem with them being too sticky. We are cyclists and I took some to eat while riding and they were great. Thanks for a great recipe!!
Ah yay! This makes me so happy to hear, Juanelle. Glad these peanut butter balls were a hit! Thanks so much for trying them out and coming back to leave a review :).
They were very messy trying to roll the dough. Any tips. I did add the additional tablespoon of oats.
Mmmm.. sounds like they were too wet and might of needed even more oats maybe?
I love the taste of this snack! Any suggestions for making the peanut butter balls firmer for rolling. When I scoop out the tablespoon to roll into a ball it will not hold form. Still love the taste.
So glad you love these, Cheryl! You could try placing the dough in the fridge to harden up a bit before rolling them into balls?
I would add a little almond flour or whey protein powder which is what i used.
Loving this recipe. Can I sub sun butter for the peanut butter? I’m making these for someone with a tree nut allergy?
Totally sun butter will work great as a sub for the peanut butter.
I noticed you responded to another commenter saying that Zahidi dates could be substituted if one didn’t have medjool. I was wondering what you think of the Noor date as a substitute? From what I’ve been reading about it it’s drier than the medjool, but do you think it would still work?
That should still work! Noor dates are smaller, so you’ll likely need to use more and also if the dates seem dry, just soak them in water for 10 minutes before to soften them up. Let me know how these turn out for you!!
It looks like I’m gonna have to do some major shopping 😃 so I can start busting out all these GF goodies for my husband! Carnelian ginger indeed!
Absolutely delicious 😋😋 I used almond butter as just my personal preference …. loved them, only problem I had was stopping at just one 🤭
So glad you loved these treats!! Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Delicious! Loved equally by me, a dessert-addict, and my husband, who prefers less sweet treats.
Woo!! So glad these pb balls were a hit, Sonia. Thanks for the review, I so appreciate it!
Hello does the recipe still work if you don’t use any oil?
Hey Myah – The coconut oil is used to help thin the chocolate out for dipping the pb balls. You can skip it if you prefer, but the chocolate might be thicker for dipping.
Another great sweet treat that will have a home in my freezer for the foreseeable future. YUMMY!! Thank you!
Yay!! So glad you loved these. Thanks for the review, Sherry. 🙂
Delicious! I used to love the conventional ones but once I learned how much powdered sugar was in them, I didn’t make them much. These are better tasting and I feel great knowing it’s healthy. My whole family enjoys these!
Yay!! That makes me so happy to hear. I’m glad these pb balls were a hit with your family. Thanks for the review, Diana. I so appreciate it!
I would eat these as a treat over Reese’s any day! These are super easy to make and sooooo good.
Ahh, this makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for the review, Alyse.
Amazing!!!
These are fantastic! We voted them even better than traditional buckeyes. I didn’t even use the coconut oil with the chocolate and they still turned out great. Highly recommend.
Ahh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂
I am always really impressed with “eating bird food” recipes and ideas. Thank you, this helps a lot!
do I have to use chocolate chips or can I just use the wafers for melting , I used them in a different recipe. without the oil. Ghirdelli’s has some nice dark chocolate ones.
Hi Dawn! I think you’re fine to use the chocolate wafers instead of chocolate chips. And I agree, I don’t think you’ll need the oil with the wafers.
Wow nice recipe… thank you
Hi! I can’t wait to try these! I bought Zahidi dates and theyre not Medjool dates.Will that work?
That should work just fine, you might just need to use more dates since Medjool dates are bigger. Let me know how they turn out for you!!
SO easy and delicious! Taste just like peanut butter cups! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
You’re so welcome, Monique! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Hi! Just wondering if I can make these without dates or if there’s a substitute? I don’t have them on-hand right now.
Hey Megan! The dates are a pretty big component to this recipe and I’m not sure what would be a good substitute. 🙁
How long will these stay good in the fridge? Thanks!
They should stay good in the fridge for at least a week and then in the freezer for a few months! 🙂
This recipe sounds so delicious! I will definitely give it a try! It’s so quick and easy, and such a perfect fix when you have kids and want to give them a snack.
Yes, these are definitely kid-approved! Let me know if you end up making these pb balls and how they turn out for you. 🙂
I made these and I was pleasantly surprised! They are delicious, and will be my favorite go to when I get a craving for peanut butter and chocolate.
Hi Heather, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed these. Thank you for coming back to leave a comment and star rating, it means the world to me! 🙂
thank you for sharing this great content thank you so much
Next time I’m doubling the recipe!! 💕
What can these be covered with instead of chocolate?
Hmmm… what type of coating are you looking for?
Love this recipe! I love having these on hand.
These are amazing!! Thank you:)
Hello. I’d love to make these; however, I am also intolerant to oats. Can you recommend a substitute ingredient?
Almond flour should work, you might just need to add a little extra. Maybe 3 Tablespoons instead of 2.
Love the almond flour idea! Thanks.
I’m excited you linked to that no bake cookie recipe! I’ve made your protein no bake cookie recipe before, but can’t wait to make the more classic version!!
These are so good. Tried them and now they are a new favorite!
Yay!!! So glad you love them.
I love everything about these treats! Wish I had some to snack on right now! They’d be the perfect ending to my day!
My family is all about peanut butter. I love your healthier version of their favorite treat.
These look delicious! My kids have peanut allergies so I would sub in SunButter, but I definitely should make these 🙂
OATS HAVE NO GLUTEN TODAY YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW, NEVER HAVE NEVER WILL SO STATING GLUTEN FREE OATS IS STATING THE OBVIOUS.
Hi Sandra. I realize that oats are inherently gluten-free, but unless the package or bulk bin says “gluten-free certified” the oats could be grown in the same field with other (gluten containing) grains or processed with these other grains. While this isn’t a big deal for most folks that have gluten sensitivity issues, it can be problematic for those with celiac disease. That’s why I pointed this out in the recipe. 🙂
So, I made these for my younger brother for Christmas and he LOVED them. Of course I didn’t tell him they were actually a lot healthier than they tasted 😉 Thanks for the great recipe Brittany!
Yum, these look like a delicious snack! I’m all about anything peanut butter and chocolate.
Happy holidays!
These look terrific. I love the idea off using dates as the base.
ANDDDD I’m really excited to have some frozen ones when I get home tonight.
Because, you know, I really need those right now. 😉
I’m such a peanut butter and chocolate fan! I would loooove these 🙂
Great seeing you last night!
Love this combination and because it’s so heavy in calories I rarely make them. This is a great recipe.
These look delicious! I love peanut butter balls and any way to make them healthier is great!
Yum! You can never go wrong with the peanut butter/chocolate combo. These sound super easy too!
These look delicous! Glad to hear you are enjoying the holidays. Wrapping up gifts and listening to holiday music always puts me the right spirit. Enjoy your Sunday!
Yum these sound amazing. I’m sure they were a hit! Love when you can healthily a recipe and it’s just as good!
Could i make these without dates? Same pb/oats ratio?
Hey Irene – The dates are a pretty big component to this recipe and I don’t believe the pb + oats would hold together without them. You could try swapping the dates for figs or raisins if you want, but I wouldn’t skip it all together.
Yeah…these are dope. Is it still healthy if I eat 5 in a row? 😂😂😂
Made once already, about to make them again 🙂
LOL 😂! These are definitely hard to keep around! Glad you’re loving this recipe, Elise! Thanks so much for your review & star rating, I appreciate it!