Description
These soft, chewy oatmeal breakfast bites are a wholesome, customizable snack perfect for busy mornings or anytime you need lasting energy. Made with oats, nut butter, and a touch of honey, they’re quick to make, kid-friendly, and easily adapted for various diets.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (or old-fashioned oats for chewier texture)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg (or flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water, mixed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Optional mix-ins (up to 1/2 cup total):
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates
- 2 tbsp chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
- 2 tbsp chia seeds or flaxseed meal
- 2 tbsp shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine peanut butter or almond butter, honey or maple syrup, egg (or flax egg), and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add quick oats, cinnamon, and salt. Mix gently with a spatula until well combined. The batter will be thick and sticky.
- Fold in your choice of mix-ins (up to 1/2 cup total). If the dough seems dry, add 1-2 tbsp milk (dairy or plant-based) for moisture.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion dough into 1-inch balls (about 2 tbsp each). Place on the lined baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Makes 14-16 bites.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until set and lightly golden on the bottoms. Tops may look soft; they will firm up as they cool.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Notes
For vegan bites, use a flax egg and maple syrup. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats. Chill dough for 10 minutes if bites spread too much. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. Customize with your favorite mix-ins, but keep total add-ins to about 1/2 cup for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: oatmeal breakfast bites, healthy snack, power snack, quick breakfast, gluten-free, vegan option, nut butter, oats, meal prep, kid-friendly