We love these easy stick together peanut butter snack bites with m&m’s as a healthy-ish after school treat or lunch box idea.
This is one of the best beginner baking ideas for kids…because they are actually no-bake! That’s right, there is no baking needed for these simple peanut butter balls, also known as energy bites or energy balls. Just a whole lot of mixing…which is the BEST part if you ask my daughter.
One of the best things about this peanut butter snack bite recipe is that if you don’t have m&m’s, or you want something a little bit healthier, you can add any other mix ins that you like! You can try dried strawberries for these delicious peanut butter & jelly energy bites, or add other pantry items like chocolate chips, white chocolate, nuts, or raisins.
The possibilities are endless when you know this easy peanut butter bites recipe!
Let’s jump in…
Supplies needed to make Peanut Butter Snack Bites
You don’t need much to make these stick together peanut butter snack bites, which is why this recipe is perfect for beginner bakers. In fact, you probably already have most of these items on hand in your kitchen.
- Parchment Lined Baking Sheet
- Measuring Cups/Spoon
- Microwave safe bowl
- Large Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients needed to make Peanut Butter Snack Bites
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup warmed peanut butter
- ½-¾ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup chocolate m&ms
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
How to make these Easy Stick Together Peanut Butter Snack Bites
Warm the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl on high for 20 secs.
Add all ingredients to a large bowl, starting with ½ cup maple syrup.
Stir with a large wooden spoon until well mixed.
Scoop 1.5-2 tablespoons of mixture at a time.
Press mixture together in your hands to get it to stick.
Roll into a ball and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
Repeat until all of the balls have been made (using extra maple syrup if you can not get the final balls to stick.
Refrigerate for 30 mins before serving.
Remove and allow to come to room temperature before serving.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
Any nut butter should work well with this recipe.
These can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Bites taste best when they have had a minimum of 5-7 mins to come to room temperature before eating.
How to make this Peanut Butter Snack Bite recipe healthy
This recipe is already packed full of healthy protein and grains, but it does have a fair amount of sugar! Here are a few ways to make these peanut butter snack bites healthier for your kids.
- Decrease the amount and the size of the chocolate m&ms. Moving to the mini size will decrease the amount of sugar in the recipe.
- Use cocoa nibs or vegan chocolate chips instead of m&ms.
- Use all natural peanut butter (with no added salt or sugar)