Oats & Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Name: Oats & Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: Rolled oats – 1 cup; Peanut butter (unsweetened) – 1/2 cup; Honey – 2 tbsp; Flax seeds, ground – 2 tbsp; Dark chocolate chips (optional) – 1 tbsp

No-cook oats and peanut butter energy balls with ground flaxseed, a make-ahead prenatal snack to keep in the fridge for small bites between meals.

Make-ahead
No-cook
Vegetarian

Why you'll love this

Sweet, nutty and chewy with a hint of chocolate, these bite-sized balls sit in the fridge all week, ready when you want something to nibble between meals.

Good for: Snack · Make-ahead · On-the-go · Vegetarian · Pregnancy

Total Time

30 min

Serves

10 people

Calories

120 kcal

Nutrition highlights

Estimated, per serving

120kcal

Calories

Protein

Fat

11g

Carbs

Key Pregnancy Nutrients

Fibre2 g
Protein4 g
Magnesium45 mg
Omega-3 (ALA)0.9 g

Why it can be useful during pregnancy

Small, frequent snacks help many pregnant women get through long gaps between meals. Each ball is small, so you can eat one or two, and the oats and peanut butter make them more filling than a biscuit.

Energy
Peanut butter and oats make each ball a compact, energy-dense bite, handy in the second and third trimesters when you need a little extra food each day.
From: peanut butter, rolled oats
Omega-3
Ground flax seeds add a little plant omega-3 (ALA). It is not the same as the DHA in fish, so it does not replace fish or a DHA supplement your doctor suggests.
From: flax seeds
Healthy fats
Unsweetened peanut butter brings healthy fats and a little protein, so a ball or two keeps hunger away for longer than a sweet biscuit.
From: peanut butter

General nutrition information, not medical advice. Nutrient amounts are estimates, and your doctor may recommend supplements (such as folic acid or iron) that food alone does not replace.

Ingredients

What's in it

Rolled oats – 1 cup
Peanut butter (unsweetened) – 1/2 cup
Honey – 2 tbsp
Flax seeds, ground – 2 tbsp
Dark chocolate chips (optional) – 1 tbsp

Easy substitutions

Peanut butter → Sunflower seed butter
A peanut-free and nut-free option with a similar sticky texture.
Dark chocolate chips → Leave them out
Cuts added sugar, and removes the milk that many chocolate chips contain.

How to make it

1
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until a thick, sticky dough forms.
2
Refrigerate the mixture for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
3
Roll into small balls (about 1 tbsp each).
4
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Pregnancy-friendly tips

Keep a few in a small box in your bag for long commutes or waits at the clinic.
Stick to one or two balls at a time; they are small but calorie-dense.
Toast the oats lightly in a dry pan first if you like a nuttier flavour.

Safety note

These are sweetened with honey and chocolate chips. If you have gestational diabetes, check how many fit your snack plan with your dietitian.

Contains: Peanuts, Milk

Frequently asked questions

Is flaxseed safe in pregnancy?

The evidence is limited and not conclusive, so keep flaxseed to small food amounts, like the 2 tablespoons spread across this whole batch, and avoid flaxseed supplements or oil capsules.

Can I eat these every day?

One or two a day can fit a balanced pregnancy diet as a snack. Mix them up with fruit, nuts and curd so your snacks stay varied.