Peanut Butter Protein Balls - No-Bake, Quick, Easy, Healthy! (2024)

These No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Ballsare 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.

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  • General
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • Get the recipe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • What protein to use
  • What peanut butter to use
  • Why won't they stick?
  • Are these healthy?
  • Variations
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

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!

Pro tip

Use a vegan protein powder, maple syrup, and dairy-free chocolate chips to keep these bites free from animal by-products, if necessary.

How to make

This healthy, delicious, perfectly peanut buttery snack comes together in just 15 minutes!

  1. Use a stand-mixer or food processor to mix together oats, protein powder, flaxseed, and salt.
  2. Add in peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla then mix until fully combined.
  3. Use your hands to mix in chocolate chips then use a small cookie scoop to portion out the mixture into 40 balls.
  4. Store in the freezer then serve frozen, chilled, at room temp, or warmed in the microwave!

Pro tip

Use a stand-mixer if you like a heartier, chewier texture. Use a food processor for a texture that’s smoother and more stuck together.

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.

Pro tip

Don’t want to use protein powder? Check out some of my other energy bite recipes.

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.

Pro tip

Be careful not to add too much! Do VERY little bits at a time until you’ve reach the desired texture.

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!

Peanut Butter Protein Balls - No-Bake, Quick, Easy, Healthy! (2)

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 - No-Bake, Quick, Easy, Healthy! (3)

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

5 from 4 votes

These No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Ballsare 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.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Yield: 40 balls

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Equipment for this recipe

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 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!

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:1-2 Weeks

Freezer:3 Months

Reheat:Enjoy frozen, from the fridge, or microwave to warm

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Amount Per Serving (1 ball)

Calories 160 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 2mg1%

Sodium 119mg5%

Potassium 163mg5%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 4IU0%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: healthy, peanut butter, protein

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Author: Jennifer Debth

Peanut Butter Protein Balls - No-Bake, Quick, Easy, Healthy! (2024)

FAQs

When should you eat protein balls? ›

You can eat our delicious peanut butter protein balls anytime day or night, but they can be especially useful if you eat them in conjunction with certain daily activities. Pre-Gym: Have a protein ball or two right before your workout for an extra energy boost so you can go further and longer.

What are protein balls good for? ›

Protein or energy balls are a great snack to enjoy between meals, as they contain ample amounts of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. One or two balls will keep you satisfied and energised between your main meals.

What is the nutritional value of peanut butter protein balls? ›

The Protein Ball Co. Peanut Butter Protein Balls (6 balls) contains 23.6g total carbs, 21g net carbs, 8.4g fat, 10g protein, and 187 calories.

Why are my protein balls not sticking together? ›

If your protein balls are not sticking together you probably need to add a little bit more moisture. Add a teaspoon of water at a time until your protein balls stick together to form a ball!

When should I eat protein to gain weight? ›

To Gain Weight

When increasing your overall calorie intake to promote healthy weight gain, eat quality, protein-rich foods. For example, start by incorporating lean meats, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, nuts, tofu, seeds, and lentils into your meals and snacks more regularly.

Should you have protein before bed or in morning? ›

In conclusion, protein ingestion prior to sleep is an effective interventional strategy to increase muscle protein synthesis rates during overnight sleep and can be applied to support the skeletal muscle adaptive response to resistance-type exercise training.

Is peanut butter healthy? ›

It's fairly rich in nutrients and a decent protein source. It's also loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, although this doesn't seem as significant when you consider the high calorie load. It is perfectly fine to incorporate moderate amounts of peanut butter into a healthful diet.

Is peanut butter high in protein? ›

Nutritional information

They're rich in protein and healthy fat, and they're calorie-dense. Two tablespoons, or 32 grams, of peanut butter gives you 7.2 grams of protein. Peanut butter also contains: fiber.

Do protein balls go bad? ›

What's the shelf life of protein ball packs? They are good for 8 months sealed, and we recommend finishing them in a week once you open them!

Why do people eat protein balls? ›

Protein balls (or bliss balls, if you prefer) are great on-the-go snack if you're trying to eat healthily or looking to lose weight. Filled with fiber-rich and protein-packed ingredients like oats, dates and nuts, they'll keep you fuller for longer – plus you don't need protein powder to make them.

Are protein balls good for cholesterol? ›

Known as a top choice for lowering cholesterol, oat energy balls are versatile and convenient bite-sized snacks packed with heart-healthy ingredients.

Is my protein peanut butter healthy? ›

If you're on a low-calorie diet, MyProteins peanut butter can actually help control your hunger pangs. It contains Niacin which is linked to reduced Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. It's full of heart-healthy fats and peanuts which reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease.

Are protein balls worth it? ›

THEY'RE HIGH IN PROTEIN

Protein balls, as their name suggests, are a great source of protein. With the inclusion of protein powder plus other protein-rich ingredients such as nut butters, nuts, seeds and a variety of other ingredients, protein balls make for a great protein-packed snack and delicious treat.

Are energy balls bad for you? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. Are Energy Balls Good For You? No bake energy balls are a perfect healthy snack, treat, and breakfast on the go. They are balanced with healthy fats, fiber, and protein.

What if my protein balls are too wet? ›

When creating the balls, try to squeeze them from hand to hand tightly to come together. If they seem too wet, add some protein powder or if too dry, more coconut oil/rice malt syrup. Wetting your hands slightly can help if they seem sticky.

Are protein balls good after a workout? ›

Protein balls are made with nuts, fruits and added protein powder. The fact that they are made with a few clean ingredients means they are great as an all-natural, healthy snack to replenish your body with protein and carbs after exercise.

When should I take protein for best results? ›

The International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends protein for muscle gain right after your workout. Fifteen to 60 minutes after a workout, the body has an anabolic window in which it can get the most out of taking protein.

When should I eat protein meals? ›

It's best to spread your protein throughout the day. That means about 4-5 portions a day, aiming for 20g of protein every 3-4 hours. By doing this, you'll eat protein before and after exercise without too much extra effort.

Is it better to eat protein before or after? ›

Interestingly, the study found no significant differences in muscle strength or size between the groups. These results suggest that as long as you consume protein around your workout, it doesn't matter whether it's before or after training. Therefore, you can choose which time you prefer or is most convenient for you.

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