This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

My no-bake, healthy peanut butter bliss balls are loaded with creamy peanut butter and chocolate flavor, making them a hit with both kids and adults alike. Enjoy these as an on-the-go breakfast, wholesome snack, or healthy dessert alternative! They’re also dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and low in sugar, making them ideal for a variety of dietary preferences.

Indulge in my delicious no-bake peanut butter bliss balls, affectionately called “cookie dough bites” by my daughter. They taste like dessert, but are totally guilt-free and nutrient-rich! I love bliss ball recipes like this one because they come together quickly, and always satisfy my sweet tooth!

With only five simple ingredients and just ten minutes of prep time, bliss balls are a perfect option for busy days. I especially love making a huge batch at the beginning of the week, and enjoying them all week long for ultimate convenience. I find that they taste even better the next day, once they’ve had time to chill in the fridge for a while longer!

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

My easy peanut butter bliss balls recipe calls for just 5 nutritious ingredients, all easily found in your pantry or local grocery store. Here’s what you need:

Oats: I’ve found that rolled oats work best for these kid-friendly bliss balls. I don’t recommend using oat flour or quick oats as it won’t have the same texture as whole oats, and won’t hold up as well.

Natural Peanut Butter: I use creamy peanut butter to bind all the ingredients together and add a boost of protein to these energy bites. If you don’t have peanut butter, try almond butter as a 1:1 substitute. Other nut butters (like cashew butter or a mixed nut butter) should also work in place of peanut butter, but the bites might have a slightly different consistency since some nuts create a thinner or runnier butter than others!

Dark Chocolate Chips: I prefer using dark chocolate chips for a healthier choice. These can be regular or mini chocolate chips. To keep this recipe vegan-friendly, I’ll use dairy-free chocolate chips. If you don’t need these to be vegan, then semisweet, white chocolate, or milk chocolate chips are all yummy options.

Maple Syrup: The only added sugar is natural maple syrup which gives the bliss balls a slightly sweet taste. If you don’t have maple syrup on hand, agave, raw honey, or vegan honey work.

Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract brings out the richness of the chocolate. Sometimes I also add a pinch of salt to really enhance the sweetness. For a nutty flavor, try using almond extract.

🔪 How To Make Peanut Butter Bliss Balls

My vegan no bake peanut butter balls are so easy to make – they’re ready in just 3 simple steps. Let me show you how to make these healthy dessert balls:

Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, I start by stirring together the oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until combined.

Form The Bliss Balls: Next, I line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Taking small handfuls of the mixture, I roll them into small balls 1-2 inches in size – about the size of a golf ball or ping pong ball. I prefer to use a cookie scoop to make this step extra easy. Place each ball onto the baking sheet.

Let The Balls Set: Once rolled, I refrigerate these peanut butter snack balls for 30 minutes or until solid.

📖 Variations

I’ve perfected a few easy swaps and add-ins for when I’m looking to switch up the taste or texture a bit with these healthy kid-friendly bliss balls. There is something for any occasion! Here are my favorite variations:

Peanut Butter Protein Balls: If you want to turn these peanut butter protein bliss balls, consider adding a scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder to the batter before mixing it. You can use up to 2 scoops of protein powder, depending on the flavor of the protein powder you use. Sometimes I also add 1 tablespoon of ground chia seeds, flax seed, or hemp seeds for an extra boost of protein and healthy fats.

Chocolate Bliss Balls With Peanut Butter: For a double serving of chocolate, add a tablespoon of cacao or cocoa powder to the batter before mixing. I love the rich and indulgent flavor that this gives this recipe! I serve this as a healthy kids dessert often!

Peanut Butter Date Bliss Balls: For a sweeter flavor, I like to add a ¼ cup of Medjool dates, soaked and drained. I use a food processor when adding dates so that they are completely incorporated with the peanut butter and oats.

Sugar-Free Bliss Balls: If you want to make these no-bake peanut butter balls truly sugar-free, you can omit the maple syrup and use sugar-free chocolate. I think they still taste pretty good thanks to the natural sweetness from the vanilla and chocolate chips! If you are making these peanut butter balls for toddlers, this is a good option.

Mix-Ins: Add your favorite mix-ins to give these peanut butter energy balls some texture. I find that crushed walnuts, pecans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and cacao nibs work really well in this recipe. My other favorites are dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, dried apricots, and shredded coconut. I also love adding spices like a pinch of sea salt, cinnamon powder, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice into the mixture. When making these as toddler protein balls, be mindful of the size of the nuts and dried fruit.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

While I love these healthy bliss balls with peanut butter on their own for an easy grab-and-go snack or healthy dessert, it can be so fun to get creative with other ways to serve these! Try some of these ideas:

Toppings: For a decadent dessert I love to drizzle chocolate sauce or caramel sauce (like the one on this no-bake salted caramel cheesecake) over these no bake snacks!

Ice Cream: My kids love to mix these no bake peanut butter dessert balls into tofu ice cream for a delicious treat.

Drinks: Energy balls can be found at a lot of coffee shops nowadays, so it only feels right to create those coffee shop vibes at home! I have been loving these balls with my oatmilk honey latte or iced ube latte! You can also do a creamy mixed berry smoothie alongside these protein balls for kids as an afternoon snack.

With Other Energy Bites: Make a spread of energy bites and serve these alongside my vegan protein balls, peanut butter date balls, and these homemade lara bars! I love this idea for parties and special occasions!

🫙 Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: I store these dairy free peanut butter balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. 

To Refrigerate: After placing in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag, I’ll store these in the fridge for maximum freshness. They’ll be good for about one week!

Freezer: I don’t recommend storing these vegan energy balls in the freezer as they won’t taste as good when defrosted.

❓Recipe FAQs

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Picky Eater.

Love this plant based dessert recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page!

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food, and if you have any questions, I’m here to help!

📋 Recipe Card

It’s just a straw.

To most people, a simple straw is an ordinary object we see daily. But to a child, simple objects open up a world of scientific investigation and discovery.

Engaging with Phenomena

Science instruction has a history of students sitting passively at desks, memorizing vocabulary, and trying to absorb lectures from the teacher. However, research consistently shows that students learn science best when actively engaged in the scientific process.

Active engagement with scientific investigations allows students to move beyond just receiving information. They learn to love science because they’re actually doing science.

The Benefits of Hands-on, Active Science Investigations

When students figure out phenomena, integrate new data, develop models, and discuss ideas, they construct their own understanding in a way that leads to deeper, more lasting comprehension. Hands-on science allows students to:

• Directly experience concepts instead of just reading about them, making the learning experience more memorable
• Practice critical skills like observing, questioning, experimenting, analyzing data, and argumentation
• Stay engaged and interested in learning through inquiry and discovery
• Apply concepts like systems, patterns, and cause and effect across multiple disciplines

That’s why FOSS uses active, hands-on learning with an instructional model that immerses students in the real work of scientists and engineers.

Active Science in Action

So what does active learning look like in FOSS classrooms?

Rather than being passive spectators, students become active investigators. They ask questions, design investigations, analyze data, construct models, and engage in evidence-based arguments.

Throughout the process, students frequently work in collaborative teams to investigate phenomena and build models that lead to sense-making experiences. The teacher is a facilitator, guiding the inquiry process while allowing students to construct their own understanding.

Creating an Active, Science-Centered Learning Environment

Transforming a science program into an active learning environment requires intentional planning. Teachers using FOSS are encouraged to prepare materials that allow students to work independently in small groups or rotate through multiple hands-on stations.

Most important is to create classroom routines that position students as thinkers and investigators. Classroom discussions should emphasize evidence-based argumentation rather than simply uncovering and stating the “right” answer.

Formative Assessment

Assessment in a FOSS hands-on science classroom prioritizes the application of knowledge. Scientific understanding is assessed throughout, allowing teachers to provide students with information they can use to improve their sense-making. It also provides teachers a foundation to use to adjust their instruction and meet the needs of every child.

FOSS is an opportunity for students to engage, self-direct, and truly think and perform like scientists, ensuring they can develop a deeper conceptual understanding of science while experiencing it for themselves.

Learn More about Active Investigations with FOSS