These No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls are a quick, easy, and healthy snack. They’re packed with all-natural peanut butter, loaded with dark chocolate chips, and are naturally sweetened! Can be made with or without a food processor.
I love energy bites so much. They’re a great, healthy, nutrient dense way to satisfy my morning, afternoon, ahem, and evening sweet tooth. This recipe for peanut butter protein balls also makes a huge batch, so I always have plenty on hand!
Ingredients
This simple ingredient list packs in a ton of nutrients and flavor!
- Old-Fashioned Oats – the base of the protein balls which gives them their structure. Use a certified gluten free variety, if necessary.
- Protein Powder – use your favorite! Vanilla, chocolate, or peanut butter protein powder are all delicious. You can use vegan or whey depending on your needs.
- Ground Flaxseed Meal – gives the protein balls a huge boost of nutrition. Flax seeds are loaded with healthy fats, fiber, and other nutrients.
- Salt – cuts the sweetness and brings out the rich, peanut butter flavor.
- Peanut Butter – use an all-natural “just peanuts” or “just peanuts + salt” variety. Peanut butter adds a rich flavor, tons of protein, and also helps bind the ingredients together.
- Honey or Maple Syrup – adds the perfect amount of sweetness and binds the bites together with their sticky texture. I love using 1/2 and 1/2 for the best flavor/texture.
- Vanilla Extract – provides a warm sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Dark Chocolate Chips – use vegan if needed but any chocolate chips will work!
How to make
This healthy, delicious, perfectly peanut buttery snack comes together in just 15 minutes!
- Use a stand-mixer or food processor to mix together oats, protein powder, flaxseed, and salt.
- Add in peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla then mix until fully combined.
- Use your hands to mix in chocolate chips then use a small cookie scoop to portion out the mixture into 40 balls.
- Store in the freezer then serve frozen, chilled, at room temp, or warmed in the microwave!
What protein powder to use
Any protein powder can be used in this recipe. You can use peanut butter, chocolate, or vanilla flavored protein powder. You can use a whey or plant based variety — anything goes!
If you’re a huge peanut butter fan like I am, use peanut butter protein for added peanut butter flavor. If you like less peanut butter flavor use chocolate or vanilla protein powder instead.
What peanut butter to use
I recommend using all-natural peanut butter (the ingredient list should just be “peanuts” or “peanuts and salt” to keep these protein balls lower in sugar. All-natural peanut butter is also more oily and runny which helps all of the ingredients stick together.
Why won’t my protein balls stick together?
Some protein powders are more absorbent than others so if your protein balls aren’t sticking together, they may be too dry.
To fix this, first trying adding in more sweetener like honey or maple syrup. If it’s still too dry, add in additional peanut butter. After that, try adding a splash of water or almond milk.
Are protein balls good for you?
Yes! These protein balls are loaded with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of nutrients!
1 protein ball contains: 160 calories, 11 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbs, and 7 grams of protein.
These healthy protein balls are the perfect breakfast, easy snack, or healthy dessert!
Variations
- Use a different nut butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter should work.
- Add chia seeds or hemp seed hearts. Swap the flax for chia seeds or hemp seed hearts instead, if preferred. Keep in mind, chia seeds have texture to them, so the seeds “pop” in your mouth if you don’t blend them with a food processor.
- Chocolate dip them. Dip the balls in melted chocolate before freezing them for some added sweetness.
- Add peanut butter or chocolate drizzle. Melt extra chocolate or peanut butter chips and drizzle that over the top.
- Check out my other protein balls. Not a peanut butter lover? Check out my no bake protein brownie bites recipe instead!
How to store
Protein balls will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Enjoy again straight from the freezer, thawed in the fridge, at room temperature, or warmed in the microwave!
– Jennifer
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats gluten free if necessary
- 1/2 cup protein powder vanilla, chocolate, or peanut butter (can be vegan or whey)
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (26 oz) jar all natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey or pure maple syrup I like using 1/2 and 1/2 (use maple syrup to keep vegan)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer or a food processor: mix or pulse together oats, protein powder, flaxseed, and salt.
- Add in peanut butter, honey/maple syrup, and vanilla, then mix or pulse again until well combined.
- Use your hands to mix in the chocolate chips.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop and roll into 40 balls.
- Store in the fridge or freezer, then serve frozen, chilled, room temperature, or warmed in the microwave!
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
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