What do you call desserts that act like cookies but don’t look like cookies? I’m totally serious, this is not a trick question. These bite sized treats that I made have a ball shape, but I don’t want to call them balls because it sounds funny. They don’t look like cookies so I have issues calling them that too. I think I’ll stick with calling them poppers, like I did for my Almond Cranberry Granola Poppers. 🙂 These no-bake poppers are full of peanut butter, chocolate, and oat goodness.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poppers Recipe
(Makes about 33 poppers)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup reduced fat peanut butter
- 2 and 1/2 cups quick oats
- powdered sugar, for coating (optional)
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan, on Medium heat, add the butter, skim milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. Bring it to a boil. Boil it for about 2 minutes.
- Remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and reduced fat peanut butter.
- Stir in the quick oats while the mixture is still warm.
- Roll the mixture into ball shapes, about 1 tablespoon each. (Be careful if the mixture is still hot.)
- Chill the poppers in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- (Optional) Right before serving, cover the poppers in powdered sugar.
Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator or in a freezer friendly bag in the freezer.
Are you a fan of no-bake recipes? Some people live for them. I don’t tend to care one way or the other. Although now that I think about it, they really are faster to make than a standard recipe that needs baking.
I know the picture below looks gross, but I thought it was important to show you what the consistency looks like at this point. Also, as I mentioned above, if you think this step is tricky when mixing the oats into hot liquid, try it cold some day. The one time I waited too long I actually had to throw it away.
Once you roll the ingredients into balls, they begin to look appetizing. They sorta look like truffles. (Hmm, maybe that’s what I should have named them?)
These are like a cross between a peanut butter brownie and an oatmeal cookie (if that makes sense). It’s amazing how all of the ingredients magically stick together without needing to send them to the oven. Peanut butter is an awesome binder.
I’m not sure I’d categorize these fun sweet treats as healthy, but I do think that they’re a healthier option than many other desserts (for example, a brownie or an oatmeal cookie). These have very little butter and sugar, especially once you divide it among all of the poppers. The trick, then, is to not eat 10 poppers in one sitting. 😉 The quick oats add texture and make them hearty. Oats are healthy. 🙂
When I brought a sample to my husband, without even trying them yet, his first comment was “Of course you covered them in powdered sugar.” Lol… Hey, I can’t help it that it’s a perfect topping for most desserts. 😉
These were a part of the holiday cookie baskets that I put together for my family and friends. They were a huge hit!
Source: Skinny Taste
Here are some other tasty treats.
Almond Cranberry Granola Poppers
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
I’ll have these poppers as a snack anytime of the day! Love the combo of peanut butter, oats, and chocolate!
They are so addicting! 🙂
They almost look like snowball cookies, you could try calling them that? I think I’d have trouble not eating 10 in one sitting- they look fantastic and are filled with my favorite things!
Oooh, I like that idea! Have a great weekend. 🙂
I love the name popper! So fun! I bet I could eat quite a few of these in one sitting : ) Especially since they have that peanut butter / chocolate combo going on – my fav! Have a great weekend! And go pats! hehe
These are one of my favorite combos too. 🙂 I know what you’ll be doing Sunday…go Pats indeed (lol)! Have a lovely weekend Ashley!
I think poppers is the perfect name! It describes them perfectly – they look so poppable! I’m a sucker for PB chico anything, so these are definitely right up my alley!
Thanks so much!
Okay…these poppers are great! I can totally pop like a dozen of these!
Thanks! 🙂
I love these! And, I think poppers are the perfect name!
Coolio! Thanks. 🙂
I like poppers because I’ll be popping them in my mouth nonstop. I mean, PB+chocolate…how could I not?!
Same page! 🙂
These look amazing!! And I’m right there with ya! It’s all about moderation… so if you don’t eat all 10, your good 🙂 YUM! Anyways, I hope that you have a great weekend!
Hehe, exactly! Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you had a lovely weekend. 🙂
Oh, my gosh, do these sound terrific!!! Pinning so I don’t forget to try these gems 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
I don’t care what you call them because these are just too good!! PB and chocolate in small bites? Oh yes!!
Exactly! PB and Chocolate “Things”…no fancy terms required. 😉
Poppers is a perfect name. I bet I couldn’t stop “popping” these in my mouth. They sound perfect!
Thank you! 🙂
These look absolutely delicious! Peanut butter and chocolate is the best combo ever! 🙂
The name “poppers” describe these beautiful treats perfectly! They’re adorable, Tina, and I’ll bet they taste even better! Oats, chocolate, and PB….you really can’t go wrong with a combo like that. 😀
Coolio! I agree. 🙂
These are super cute Tina. And I think your name is perfect. It jumps out at you ya know what I mean. I think I could “pop” several in my mouth at once!! 🙂
Haha, thanks! 🙂
Yay! Something chocolatey delicious without a ton of calories. 🙂
Exactly! 🙂
Yumm… Looks delicious! They kind of remind me of a special treat we have in Denmark – with oats and cocoa as well 😉
That’s so cool! I love seeing treats that remind me of my nationality. 🙂
I think the name “popper” suits these little cuties perfectly! I might have called them cookie balls, but that doesn’t sound too appetizing. Ha! Peanut butter and chocolate is the BEST combination ever. Yum!
Hehe. Thanks Natalie!
Hahaha I like how you agonized over what to call these things… I do the same thing sometimes on food I’m posting. What do I call these things?! Whatever you call them, these look totally delicious! Very cool that they are no-bake and since there are oats added, I’m going to go ahead and call this “healthy eating” haha!
Haha, you rock!
Anything with the words “chocolate” and “peanut butter” is a winner for me. And I’m a lover of no-bake recipes, so I think I’ll love these! They look so easy, I can’t wait to try them ;–)
Absolutely agree! I hope you love them as much as we do. 🙂
Looks great for the new wheat-free diet I am trying to adjust to. Have you ever tried them with a PB chocolate spread? What would you leave out besides the cocoa if you used that instead of regular PB? Thanks!
I love the idea of using peanut butter chocolate spread in these cookies! I’ve not tried it before but I think all of the other ingredients would still work with it (just replace the peanut butter). I think the cocoa would also still work too if you like them extra chocolaty. My only concern is that PB chocolate spread might be a little more creamy than some peanut butters, so you may need to chill the batter before rolling the cookies. If you end up trying this recipe or experimenting with the PB chocolate spread let me know how you made out.
My neighbor had to switch to a wheat free diet last year for health reasons. She said she’s had to learn a lot and it’s been a difficult adjustment for her but over time it’s become manageable. Good luck adjusting to you new diet.
wow, they look so cute, I love peanut butter and chocolate.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂