Turn leftover oatmeal into delicious , 4-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls that are perfect for baby led weaning! (gluten-free, vegan)
This post has been written and medically reviewed by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).
If you find yourself less than confident about feeding your BLW babe oatmeal, or just overwhelmed with the mess that comes with handing your little one a bowl of porridge, here is a great (EASY!) recipe for you! Instead of handing over a whole bowl of loose oatmeal to your baby to explore, and - let's be honest - get everywhere, you can transform cooked and cooled oatmeal into BLW oatmeal balls or fingers that are perfect for little hands to grasp and munch on. This way, more goodness gets into baby's belly and less ends up on your floor. Let's get to it!
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Why You'll Love These Leftover Oatmeal Balls
There is so much to love about these peanut butter oatmeal balls. They are:
- EASY to make with only 4 simple ingredients (but really only 2 of them are essential!)
- Made with leftover oatmeal - less waste!
- The perfect shape and texture for baby led weaning or finger food stage babies
- Wholesome and nutritious with no added sugar
- A good source of peanuts for added allergen exposure (read why that's a good thing here)
Ingredients
- Leftover cooked oatmeal - I use rolled oats for the best results. Here is my method for making perfect oatmeal for BLW.
- Creamy peanut butter - I use the natural kind made with just peanuts and salt.
- Cinnamon - Optional, but adds a hint of flavor.
- Vanilla extract - Also optional, and adds a little sweet flavor without sugar.
If you leave out the optional cinnamon and vanilla, this becomes a super simple 2-ingredient recipe! Feel free to make them according to your preference and what you have on hand.
How To Make Them
- Add cooked, cooled oatmeal to a bowl with peanut butter, cinnamon and vanilla. Stir to combine everything well.
- Roll the mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Use wet hands to help prevent sticking. You can also roll them into finger shapes instead of balls.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- As mentioned, the cinnamon and vanilla are optional but good for more flavor. Feel free to mix up the spices and flavorings (just leave out any added sugar)!
- You can sub any natural, creamy nut butter for the peanut butter.
- I like to use rolled oats that are not prepared super creamy for the best texture in balls. You can use other kinds of cooked and cooled oatmeal, but you may have more trouble with sticking. Quick or instant oats, for example, will be stickier.
- If you plan to cook the oatmeal the same day you are making the balls, make sure it is completely cooled before making them. Stick it in the refrigerator to chill, if needed.
Storage
Store oatmeal balls in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
How To Serve Them For Baby Led Weaning
Serve these oatmeal balls just like they are! For younger babies (closer to 6 months) you may find rolling them into finger shapes is better for grasping.
These balls make a quick, nutritious snack. To make them more of a meal, serve with whatever appropriate fruit you have on hand, and some plain Greek yogurt or an egg for more protein.
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Baby Led Weaning Leftover Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls
Turn leftover oatmeal into delicious , 4-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls that are perfect for baby led weaning! (gluten-free, vegan)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: about 6 balls 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: baby
Ingredients
- ½ cup cooked and cooled oatmeal (see notes)
- 1 tbsp natural creamy peanut butter
- dash cinnamon (optional)
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Make sure oatmeal is completely cooled. I like to use leftover oatmeal that's been in the refrigerator overnight.
- In a bowl, mix oatmeal with peanut butter, cinnamon and vanilla.
- Roll the mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Wetting your hands can help prevent sticking.
- Place the balls in a glass container for storage, or directly on baby's plate!
Notes
- I find rolled oats that aren't too creamy hold their texture best in these balls, but you can certainly use other kinds of cooked oatmeal, too. This is the recipe I use for perfect BLW oatmeal.
- Flavors such as cinnamon and vanilla are optional, but expose baby to different tastes. Feel free to leave them out for simplicity, or experiment with adding other spices or extracts!
- You can also roll into finger shapes instead of balls, which as even easier for the youngest babies to pick up and eat.
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