These no bake Coconut Peanut Butter Balls are a quick and easy snack that is packed with healthy fats and proteins to keep you and your family going. They are perfect for afternoon snacks, lunch box desserts, or even breakfasts on the go.
While they are full of healthy ingredients like oats, peanut butter, honey, flax seeds, and coconut, kids seem to keep their eyes on the mini M&Ms. There are countless ways to customize these to fit what you and your family like most.
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No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Balls
When it seems like my family is constantly on the go, these protein-packed Coconut Peanut Butter Balls save the day. They take just about 10 minutes to put together and couldn’t be easier to make.
You can throw a couple into a soccer bag to eat on the way to practice, hand one to your kids as they head out the door to catch the bus, or snack on them yourself to keep you going through it all. They are packed full of healthy ingredients like oats, peanut butter, honey, flax seeds, and coconut.
I usually add in mini M&Ms to keep my kids satisfied, but you can feel free to swap out any of our mix-in ideas below. There are endless delicious combinations.
Peanut Butter Coconut Ball Ingredients
- Rolled Oats - make sure you use rolled oats or steel cut oats for this recipe. Instant oats will turn quite mushy and sticky rather than giving you that nice chew.
- Shredded Coconut - I prefer using unsweetened shredded coconut, but you can use sweetened coconut if you don’t mind the added sugar.
- Rice Krispies Cereal - this adds a nice, light crunch to the power balls.
- Peanut Butter - you can use either creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter. It’s up to what you like most. Just make sure not to use one of the “natural” peanut butters that separates. You could also substitute other types of nut butter, such as almond butter or cashew butter.
- Flax Seed - you can use pre-ground flax seed. However, if you purchase plain flax seed you will need to grind it before using. Our bodies aren’t able to break down whole flax seeds so they always need to be ground prior to using.
- Honey - any kind of honey will work great.
- Maple Syrup - pure maple syrup is best because it won’t have additional corn syrup or other added sugars. You could also substitute more honey, or another natural sweetener such as agave.
- M&Ms - I like using mini M&Ms because their size works better for these tiny power balls. You could use regular sized M&Ms if you want, or you could substitute your favorite flavor of mini chocolate chips.
More Peanut Butter Ball Mix-in Ideas
You don’t need to limit yourself to only using the ingredients listed in this recipe. Feel free to add in, swap out, and get creative. Here are a few of our other favorite energy ball ingredients:
- Chia seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Dried cranberries
- Raisins
- Sunflower seeds
- Pepitas
- Protein powder
- Almond butter
- Cashew butter
- Mini chocolate chips
How to Make Coconut Peanut Butter Balls
- Grind the oats and flax seed. In a blender or food processor, add rolled oats and pulse until the flakes are about half the size. Transfer the ground oats to a large mixing bowl. Add the flax seeds to the blender, pulsing to grind them so that they are fairly fine.
- Mix all of the ingredients. Add the ground flax to the mixing bowl along with the shredded coconut, Rice Krispies, peanut butter, honey, maple syrup, and M&Ms. Mix well using a spatula or wooden spoon. The mixture should resemble dry cookie dough.
- Roll into balls. Line a baking sheet or large airtight container with parchment paper and set aside. Using a 1½ tablespoon ice cream scoop, scoop balls of the coconut and peanut butter mixture, then use your hands to finish rolling them into a ball shape. (Note: it helps to use a little bit of coconut oil on your hands to keep the mixture from sticking)
- Chill. Allow the Peanut Butter Energy Balls to chill in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before eating.
- Serve or store. Store in the fridge or freezer in a large airtight container in single layers, using parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Your power ball mixture should resemble dry cookie dough after it’s been mixed, and it should stick together when pressed firmly into a ball. If you find that your mixture is too dry, you can add a bit more honey or maple syrup just until it starts to stick. You don’t want to add too much or the power balls will be too sticky, so add a little bit at a time.
These are also called energy balls for a reason! Coconut Peanut Butter Power Balls are packed full of protein and healthy fats. This recipe uses M&Ms because kids love them that way, but if you want to go even healthier you could substitute chopped dates or other dried fruit instead.
Your power balls should last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. Just make sure and store them in an airtight container in single layers with parchment paper between.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to store in single layers with parchment or wax paper separating so that they don’t stick.
- Freezer: power balls can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months, with layers of parchment or wax paper separating them so that they don’t stick.
No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rolled Oats
- ½ cup Shredded Coconut
- 1 cup Rice Krispies Cereal
- 1 cup Peanut Butter
- ½ cup Flax seed ground
- ½ cup Honey
- ¼ cup Pure Maple Syrup
- ½ cup Mini M&Ms
Instructions
- In a blender, add rolled oats and pulse until the flakes are about half the size. Transfer the ground oats to a large mixing bowl. Add the flax seeds to the blender, pulsing to grind them so that they are fairly fine.
- Add the ground flax to the mixing bowl along with the shredded coconut, Rice Krispies, peanut butter, honey, maple syrup, and M&Ms. Mix well using a spatula or wooden spoon. The mixture should resemble dry cookie dough.
- Line a baking sheet or large airtight container with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a 1½ tablespoon ice cream scoop, scoop balls of the coconut and peanut butter mixture, then use your hands to finish rolling them into a ball shape. (Note: it helps to use a little bit of coconut oil on your hands to keep the mixture from sticking)
- Allow the Peanut Butter Coconut Power Balls to chill in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before eating.
- Store in the fridge or freezer in a large airtight container in single layers, using parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More Healthy Snacks to Try
- Chia Oatmeal Energy Balls
- Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- Nutella Cornflake Cookie
- Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Triple Chocolate Power Balls
- Coconut Power Balls
- Mini Veggie Cups
- More Snack Recipes
- More Peanut Butter Recipes
These simple no bake Coconut Peanut Butter Energy Balls make the perfect afternoon snack, breakfast on the go, or even dessert! They're packed with healthy fat and protein and can easily be customized.
Darleen
Can I make these into a bar rather then balls? Fory husband.
Thanks!
Aashika
Can I know the shelf life of these balls at room temperature
The Carefree Kitchen
There isn't anything that would go back in this recipe so I would say a few weeks and they'd be fine. I usually keep mine in the fridge in a covered container.
Kim smith
Husband loves these. His Mom & Dad do too! So easy to make. I Whipped some up super quick. You can adjust amount of M&M’s. I throw chopped pecan In them sometimes. Thanks for recipe.
sarahK@thecarefreekitchen
Hi Kim - thanks so much! Glad you like them as much as we do.