Shelter in Place Plan

No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bites

Oats, peanut butter and syrup rolled into bite-size balls. No oven, no power, and a job children can help with.

  • Serves about 16 bites, 2 per serving
  • Time 15 min
  • Heat None needed
A plate of round oat bites with raisins beside a jar

Ready.gov suggests keeping comfort foods in an emergency supply. These turn a jar of peanut butter and a bag of oats into a treat, and rolling them gives children something to do.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (130 mL) peanut butter
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) maple or pancake syrup
  • 1 cup (90 g) quick or rolled oats
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) raisins or mini chocolate chips
  • ½ tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon
  • salt, a pinch

Equipment

  • Bowl
  • Sturdy spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Plate or container with a lid

Steps

  1. Everyone washes their hands, or uses hand sanitizer if water is short.
  2. Stir the peanut butter and syrup together in the bowl until smooth.
  3. Add the oats, raisins or chips, cinnamon and salt, and stir until it all holds together.
  4. If it is too dry to hold a shape, add a spoonful more peanut butter. If it is too sticky, add a few more oats.
  5. Roll into balls about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across and set them on the plate.
  6. Eat them, or keep them covered somewhere cool. Make only what your household will eat soon.

Swaps from the pantry

  • Sunflower seed butter for a peanut-free version.
  • Crushed cereal or granola instead of some of the oats.
  • Dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots or shredded coconut instead of raisins.
  • Corn syrup or another liquid sweetener instead of maple syrup.

Allergens

  • Peanuts
  • Dairy

Peanuts are the main ingredient. Dairy only if you use milk chocolate chips. Oats are often processed alongside wheat, so check the label if you avoid gluten.

Ingredients vary by brand, so read every label for your household's allergies.

Food safety

  • When in doubt, throw it out. Do not taste food to test it.

Where to buy

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Sources

Updated