Is there anything better than cookie dough? I say not really! However, it's super sugary and not incredibly healthy. So I was on a mission to create THE BEST protein balls for kids that tasted just like cookie dough. And these no-bake oatmeal peanut butter balls are it!
Why You Will Love These Kid-Friendly Energy Balls
- NUTRITIOUS. There is no sugar!!
- Amazing texture. Not too chunky, not too smooth, with a little crunch of chocolate.
- No-bake!!
- Great for snacks, carb sugar cravings, after workout or sports.
- The main ingredients are always in your pantry so you can whip them up anytime: peanut butter, honey, oats, coconut, chocolate chips.
- Tastes like a delicious dessert (not too healthy tasting).
How To Make Kid-Friendly Protein Snacks
It's not always easy to make healthy snacks that kids will enjoy as much as they love junk food. Kids have a few different things that influence a food's appeal.
These peanut butter snacks make a healthy option that specifically takes these differences into consideration.
- Appeal to their palate. Children's taste buds change while they are growing. As adults, it's our job to teach kids how to eat and to help train their tastebuds to love healthy flavors instead junk food. No matter how hard we do this kids will still LOVE a good sweet treat and these fit the bill.
- Textures. Too many textures or too much of one texture alone (not having anything to do with flavor) can turn kids away from certain foods. These protein snacks for kids are specifically designed for them. I've adjusted the textures of these balls so they're PERFECT -- not too grainy, oatmeal, or gritty with a delightful chocolate crunch.
Is protein powder safe for kids?
No, adult protein powder is not safe for kids. They have too much protein which is harsh on your child's organs and interfere with absorption.
In this kid-friendly protein balls recipe I'm using a safe protein powder for kids. I highly recommend this awesome kids' protein powder, Kidzshake. My kids love it! it has NO sugar, is made completely from fruits, and contains kid-friendly protein.
If you don't have a kid-friendly protein powder omit it from the recipe.
Ingredients
All you need are eight simple ingredients to make the best protein balls for kids! Here's an overview of each but check the recipe card for the quantities of each.
- Oats: You can use quick oats or rolled oats. It doesn't really matter because we are going to pulse them a bit first.
- Coconut: Use unsweetened shredded coconut for less sugar.
- Peanut butter: Any brand of peanut butter works and you can even use crunchy if you want a bit more texture.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that's less processed than sugar.
- Chia seeds: A natural ingredient that boosts the protein and healthy fats in your peanut butter oat balls.
- Salt: Just a touch to bring all the flavors together.
- Chocolate chips: The mini-sized work best. Use dark chips for less sugar but any variety will work.
- Vanilla protein powder for kids: You can also use other flavors too! Again it's crucial to use a protein powder designed for kids.
Variations
It's so easy to change up oatmeal peanut butter balls! Here are some of our favorites.
- Dried fruit: You can add raisins, dried cranberries, apricots, or apples. I like to dice them up a bit before adding them to the mixture.
- Nuts: For more crunch add peanuts, almonds, pecans, or other nuts your kids like. These will also naturally boost the protein as well.
- Flax seeds: Flax has similar properties to chia seeds so you can add them in addition to the chia or swap them in instead. Use ground flax meal rather than whole flax seeds if you decide to use them.
- Chocolate chips: Swap them for white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips.
- Nut-free: Use a seed butter such as sunflower seed butter instead if you need nut-free protein balls.
- Nut butter: You can swap the peanut butter for almond or cashew butter instead.
PRO TIP: If you're adding in extra ingredients that's great but you may need to add a little more peanut butter and honey so the protein balls are not too dry. This influences the texture but also makes sure the mixture will stick together and form a nice firm energy ball. You can totally eyeball the amount.
How to Make No-Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls for Kids
- Chop the oats in a blender or food processor just a bit leaving some texture. I used my Blendtec and pulsed them a few times. DO NOT over-pulse them - you don't want an oat flour.
PRO TIP: This step of blending the oats and coconut is what makes these protein balls so kid friendly! These things are ultimately what kids are most sensitive to. My kids can pick out a piece of coconut like a needle in a haystack...but did they know coconut was in these bad boys? NOPE!
- Repeat the same process with the coconut. Do not over-pulse. Just pulse until they have a slightly coarse texture.
PRO TIP: You can continue to mix your ingredients in your food processor or use your stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the chopped oats and coconut.
- Mix everything together until they are just combined. Don't over-mix them. You want them to have a slightly sticky texture.
- Roll the mixture into balls using your hands.
- Place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and freeze for two hours. Then remove and place them in an airtight container.
How to Store
Store these kid-friendly protein balls in an airtight container or a plastic bag. These protein balls contain very shelf-stable ingredients and zero milk or dairy products so they may easily last for up to 2 weeks.
You can also store them in the freezer for 3 months. They thaw out at room temperature in about 15 minutes.
Expert Tips and FAQs
- Feel free to add whatever extras you like but remember you may need to add more peanut butter or honey so they aren't so dry.
- Blending the oats and coconut first is the key to creating a kid-friendly texture in these peanut butter oat balls.
This is totally up to you and your personal preference. I love to make them about an inch which equals about 2 bites. You can make them smaller or larger. Â Since you are making them your own size I cannot tell you how many the recipe exactly makes, but for me and my 1-inch balls, it made about 25 balls.
Yes! I highly recommend immediately freezing your protein balls after rolling them. Place them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and freeze until they are firm and will hold their shape, about 2 hours. Move them to an airtight container. Store them in the fridge or place them back in the freezer.
To thaw, remove 2-3 from the airtight container and let sit at room temp for 5-15 minutes.
More Kid-Friendly Snack Recipes
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Peanut Butter Oat Protein Balls (Kid Friendly!)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oats
- 1 ½ cups coconut
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder for kids, can use other flavors too!
- other mix-ins!
Instructions
- In blender or food processor blend oats, then coconut to a more fine texture. You dont want them to be too fine- like flour.
- In food processor or stand mixer using paddle attachment- add all ingredients into bowl. Mix until all ingredients are all incorporated and evenly distributed. You want the texture to be a little sticky and not too dry. If adding in extra mix-ins like nuts, dried fruit or other powders add a little more honey and peanut butter.Â
- Roll into a ball the size of your preference. I like a 1 inch ball equals about 2 bites. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Place in freezer for two hours. Remove and place into an air tight container. Store in fridge for 1-2 weeks. Freezer for 3 months. To thaw- separate balls and let sit at room temp for about 15 minutes.
Bec says
What can I use instead of protein powder?
Kadee says
You can omit it. You may have to increase the amount of oats to make up for the consistency change.
Amy Brown says
Just made them and they are delicious! My whole family loves them (including my picky eater). Now, if you have any tips on how to only eat ONE and not all of them, let me know! Haha! Thanks so much for sharing.
Bob says
I make these all the time
Rayna M says
I'm not finding any links that work for the Kidzshake protein... anyone know where I can get it?
Desarae says
You can also use a vanilla protein powder, I'll look into the kid shake protein powder.
Georgina Gesseljay says
My kids hate coconut, what could I use instead?
Kadee says
You can just omit the coconut
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great way to make this treat into something healthy!
Melissa says
I make these for my picky eater to take in his lunch and we are going on the fourth week in a row that he wants them! I’m so glad I found something that will fill him up more and that I feel good about giving him. Thanks for the recipe!
Lauren McMillan says
Any replacement suggestions for the peanut butter so they're a safe snack to take to school?
Desarae says
if an almond butter is approved you could try that, may be some kind of cookie butter