Kitchen science: Peanut butter and honey are the glue and the oats are the bulk, so when the dough chills the glue firms up and the balls hold their shape.
Peanut Butter Energy Balls for kids: the whole recipe
Rolly-Polly Oat Balls! Ten fingers, one bowl, and zero ovens. This easy no-cook recipe is for ages 5 to 9 (grades K–3rd), takes about 15 minutes (plus 20 minutes waiting) and serves 4. Crumb, our tiny chef, reads every step aloud with a picture, so a child can follow along.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter)
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Tools
A mixing bowl, A big spoon, Measuring cups, A plate.
Steps
Wash your hands with soap for twenty seconds, then let's make Rolly-Polly Oat Balls!
Pour 1 cup of rolled oats into the big bowl.
Add ½ cup of peanut butter to the bowl.
Pour in ⅓ cup of honey.
Stir it all together with the big spoon until it forms one lump.
Stir in ¼ cup of chocolate chips.
Put the bowl in the fridge for twenty minutes so the dough firms up.
Scoop up a spoonful and roll it between your palms into a ball.
Line your balls up on a plate and count them!
Ta-da! Watch the oat balls roll, then pick one and take a bite.
Safety notes
Contains peanuts, milk, soy. Tap "Allergies?" on the Kitchen's front page and the swaps fill themselves in where there is one.
Spread peanut butter thin for little ones: a big lump can choke.
No honey for babies under 1.
Read the label on packets for allergies.
Sticky fingers.
Kitchen science
Peanut butter and honey are the glue and the oats are the bulk, so when the dough chills the glue firms up and the balls hold their shape.
Make it your own
Roll the balls in a little crushed cereal or shredded coconut.
Stir in raisins or dried cranberries instead of the chocolate chips.