Using a few simple ingredients like whole oats, flaked coconut, flax seed, and sunflower seed butter, these wholesome no-bake oatmeal balls come together easily in just one bowl. Easy to prepare, they’re made without peanut butter or nuts, and are perfect for lunch boxes or as a bite-sized snack.

Close up of oatmeal balls in a bowl with striped napkin and golden whisk.

Oatmeal Balls, But Make ‘Em Nut Free Please

If you’re on the hunt for an easy bite sized snack make with wholesome ingredients, you’re in the right place, as I’m excited to share these naturally sweet energy bites! I’ve been working hard on developing and testing plenty of options for you, including plenty of one bowl baking recipes like this one.

On top of being made in just one-bowl, the best part about these oat bites is that they don’t require ANY baking. They’re the perfect, no cook, bite-sized treat to throw together when you want something sweet without all the fuss, just like my cashew date energy balls. I also love that all you really need is 10 minutes & a handful of real ingredients to make these happen. Truly, the hardest part is just having the patience to wait for them to firm up in the fridge.

Reasons to Love These Nut-Free Oatmeal Balls

  • They are just the thing for a little afternoon pick-me-up or sweet after-dinner treat
  • Since they’re nut free, they’re easy to send in lunch boxes to school or camp
  • They’ve passed the kid test with flying colors
  • You can customize them with lots of variations and add-ins

Prep Tips & Storage

  • Be sure to line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat so they don’t stick
  • I think they’re best served chilled or kept cool, they can get sticky if they get too warm
  • For the best texture, let them set up & chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes
  • Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
  • If stacking them on top of each other in a container you may want to add layers of parchment paper in between each layer

Tip: Make a double batch & keep them on hand in the fridge for adding easily to lunch boxes or as a grab-n-go snack anytime you’re craving these healthy bites.

oatmeal energy bites shown on a white plate with gold whisk

Testing Notes & Simple Swaps

  • Skip the chocolate chips if you want to keep these completely refined sugar-free
  • Use dairy-free chocolate chips if you’d like this recipe to be dairy-free
  • Be sure to use gluten-free oats if you’d like this recipe to be gluten-free
  • Swap the honey for maple syrup, coconut nectar, or agave to make this recipe vegan-friendly
  • Use any other seed butter (or nut butter) that you like in place of sunflower seed butter

this recipe is…

nut free energy bites shown in white bowl with gold whisk and striped napkin
5 stars (2 ratings)

Wholesome Oatmeal Balls (No Peanut Butter or Nuts)

by Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 30 energy bites
Prep: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Using a few simple ingredients like whole oats, flaked coconut, flax seed, and sunflower seed butter, these wholesome no-bake oatmeal balls come together easily in just one bowl. Easy to prepare, they're made without peanut butter or nuts, and are perfect for lunch boxes or as a bite-sized snack.
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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup whole rolled oats, not instant
  • ½ cup unsweetened small flaked coconut
  • ½ cup ground flax seed
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup sunflower butter, warmed to soften if necessary
  • ¼ cup melted refined coconut oil
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, optional

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, mix together the oats, coconut, flax seed, and salt.
  • Add the sunflower butter, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
  • Add the chocolate chips, if using, stirring until well incorporated.
  • Scoop 2 teaspoons of the dough, then roll into a ball. Place the ball on onto a sheet pan lined with parchment or a silicone mat. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free oats if you’d like this recipe to be gluten-free.
  • Use another natural sweetener (like maple syrup or coconut nectar) in place of honey to keep this recipe vegan friendly.
  • Use dairy-free chocolate chips if you’d like this recipe to be dairy-free. 
  • Skip the chocolate chips if you want to keep this recipe completely refined sugar-free.
Course: Snack

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 30), Calories: 96kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: -2.8mg, Sodium: 13mg, Potassium: 49mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 6IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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