Occasions Healthy Party Recipes Healthy Party Appetizer Recipes Healthy Finger Food Recipes Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls 4.6 (35) 26 Reviews Sweet, sticky dates act as the glue for these no-bake energy balls. Perfect for hikes or during sports, this healthy snack travels well. By Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 30, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Tested by Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> EatingWell Test Kitchen Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Save Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Carson Downing Prep Time: 15 mins Additional Time: 15 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 12 Yield: 12 balls Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb Diabetes-Friendly Dairy-Free Low-Sodium Low-Fat Soy-Free Heart-Healthy Vegan Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Carson Downing Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients ¾ cup chopped Medjool dates ½ cup rolled oats ¼ cup natural peanut butter Chia seeds for garnish Directions Soak dates in a small bowl of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain. Carson Downing Combine the soaked dates, oats and peanut butter in a food processor and process until very finely chopped. Roll into 12 balls (a scant tablespoon each). Garnish with chia seeds, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 week. Equipment Food processor Frequently Asked Questions Are dates good for you? Dates are packed with naturally occurring sugar that provides energy for your busy day. They also provide fiber and antioxidants that have been shown to protect your heart and blood vessels and may reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Is peanut butter healthy? Peanuts and peanut butter are packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, fiber and other essential nutrients, including magnesium and folate. The fat-protein-fiber combo is great for keeping you full longer. Peanuts also provide antioxidants and may help balance blood sugar. What type of dates should I use? For the best flavor and texture, use Medjool dates, which are the largest and sweetest date variety. Look for them in the produce department or near other dried fruits. You can also use Deglet Noor dates, which are smaller and not as sweet as Medjool dates. Can I swap in a different nut butter? Yes, you can! We recommend using nut butters made with just nuts and salt (or no salt). Can I make Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls ahead? Yes, you can make them ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez EatingWell.com, April 2017 Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 73 Calories 3g Fat 10g Carbs 2g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 12 Serving Size 1 ball Calories 73 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 10g 4% Dietary Fiber 1g 5% Total Sugars 6g Protein 2g 4% Total Fat 3g 4% Saturated Fat 1g 3% Vitamin A 1IU 0% Folate 3mcg 1% Sodium 18mg 1% Calcium 4mg 0% Iron 0mg 2% Magnesium 13mg 3% Potassium 72mg 2% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.