In a medium bowl, combine the oats, nut butter, honey, ground flax, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix well until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture forms a sticky dough. Alternatively, you can combine the ingredients in a food processor.
If the dough is having a hard time coming together, you can add 1 tsp of water to make it more sticky.
Stir in the chocolate chips (if using).
Scoop out spoonfuls of the mixture and roll them into balls using your hands. The size of the balls will depend on your preference, but aim for a size that is appropriate for your toddler to handle.
Place the oatmeal balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Once the oatmeal balls are firm, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months.
To serve, allow the oatmeal balls to come to room temperature. You can do this by placing them on the counter, thawing them in the refrigerator, or by placing them in a sealed container in warm water for a few minutes. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
This recipe makes 15-20 oatmeal balls, depending on the size of the balls.