20-Minute Sweet Peanut Butter Jelly Balls
Sweet, chewy, and packed with nutrients, these no-bake Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls are the perfect quick snack. Made with oats, dates, peanut butter, and a dollop of your favorite jam, they’re high in protein, fiber-rich, and naturally satisfying—ideal for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or on-the-go fuel.
Equipment
- 1 food processor (for blending ingredients)
- 1 baking pan (lined with parchment paper)
- 1 tablespoon or small cookie scoop (for portioning dough)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Spatula or spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates ~15 dates
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup peanut butter creamy or natural
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Your favorite jam for filling, about 15 small dollops
Instructions
- Prepare the Jam Base: Start by lining a small baking pan with parchment paper. Using a teaspoon or a small cookie scoop, place 15 small dollops of your favorite jam evenly spaced on the paper. These will be the sweet centers of your energy balls, so try to keep them uniform in size for consistency. Once done, place the pan in the freezer for at least 2 hours to allow the jam to firm up. Freezing ensures the jam won’t leak out when you wrap it with the energy ball mixture later.
- Gather and Measure Ingredients: While the jam is freezing, gather all your ingredients. Measure 1 cup of pitted Medjool dates (roughly 15 dates), 1 cup of rolled oats, 1/4 cup of ground flax seeds, 1/4 cup of shredded coconut, 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Having everything pre-measured makes the blending process smoother and more efficient.
- Blend the Energy Ball Mixture: Add the dates, oats, flax seeds, shredded coconut, peanut butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to a food processor. Blend on high speed until the mixture comes together into a sticky dough. You’ll know it’s ready when you can pinch a small amount and it holds together without crumbling. If the mixture feels dry or crumbly, add one or two extra dates and blend again until perfectly sticky.
- Portion the Dough: Once the mixture is ready, use your hands or a cookie scoop to portion out small amounts of dough, roughly the size of a tablespoon. Roll each portion lightly in your palms to form a flat disk. Flattening the dough slightly is key, as it creates a base to hold the jam center securely.
- Insert the Jam Center: Retrieve the jam from the freezer. Place a frozen dollop of jam in the center of each flattened disk of dough. Be careful not to use too much jam; otherwise, it may spill out when sealing the ball. The frozen jam should be firm but easy enough to press slightly into the dough without breaking apart.
- Seal the Energy Balls: Gently fold the edges of the dough over the jam, pinching them together to enclose the filling completely. This step is similar to folding a dumpling—make sure there are no gaps or openings, or the jam might ooze out. Once sealed, roll the dough between your palms to create a smooth, uniform ball. Repeat this process for all portions.
- Set the Energy Balls: After forming all the energy balls, place them on a plate or tray. For best results, refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving. This helps the peanut butter and oats bind together and makes the energy balls easier to handle.
- Store Properly: Store the Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last up to 1 week chilled, making them perfect for meal prep. If you want to keep them longer, you can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Simply thaw in the refrigerator before eating.
- Serving Tips: These energy balls are ideal for an on-the-go snack, a post-workout boost, or a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy them straight from the fridge for a firmer texture or let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes if you prefer a softer bite.
- Additional Notes for Perfection: Don’t overfill with jam to prevent leakage.Adjust sweetness by choosing a sweeter or tarter jam according to your preference.If the mixture is too sticky to handle, lightly wet your hands with water to make rolling easier.For extra variety, roll finished balls in shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or finely chopped nuts.
Notes
- Make sure your dates are soft and fresh; older or dry dates may make the mixture too stiff. You can soak firmer dates in warm water for 10 minutes before blending.
- Use a good-quality peanut butter for optimal flavor—natural or creamy works best. Avoid overly sweetened or processed peanut butter to keep the energy balls healthy.
- When shaping the balls, slightly wetting your hands can help prevent sticking.
- Don’t overfill the jam; small dollops are sufficient for a sweet surprise inside each ball.
- These energy balls are naturally sweetened with dates and jam, so additional sugar is not needed.
