Nutty, sweet, and utterly delicious, these Peanut Butter Protein Balls are a simple snack that is both satisfying and good for your health. These protein balls are made with just a few ingredients, loaded with flavor and incredibly addictive. REFINED SUGAR-FREE and packed with nutrients, these bites make perfect energizing snack.
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How do you guys handle being locked inside a house and snacking? Man, I'm so bad at suppressing the urge to snack like ALL THE TIME! I often find myself raiding kitchen cabinets or fridge, and my husband is right there behind me. We're both looking for some easy snacks, and that happens a few times throughout the day. Which is very unusual but completely understandable considering the current situation.
Snacking is a normal body reaction to mental exhaustion. Luckily, I don't keep anything in kitchen cabinets that would ruin our healthy diet. And our fridge is full of fresh fruits, salads, and healthy spreads. Not junk snacks, comfort foods, and no sugary sweets. That's our secret!
Energy balls are the perfect solution for lockdown stress and sudden hunger strikes. The combination of fiber, protein and fats in energy balls helps control blood sugar levels and suppress hunger, while protein helps with stress. (1) Healthy omega's from nuts and seeds give brain a needed energy boost. When I make energy balls, I love adding some extras - mood boosters like maca powder or raw cacao. Chocolate Maca Balls and Chocolate Cinnamon Balls are the PERFECT treat for the stressful exhausted mind. Also, these Peanut Butter Protein Balls are the blast!
These peanuty beauties are deliciously sweet but made without refined sugars, filled with superfoods, and packed with protein and healthy fats. They are soft, chewable, and utterly addictive. But very satisfying so you won't find yourself eating a whole bowl. You'll eat one or two, and you will fill full and happy. They are also super easy to make, with few pantry ingredients and no equipment needed.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls ingredients
To make these protein beauties, you will need ONLY 5 ingredients that are very common in everyone's pantry. I also offer plenty of substitutions, so there's no excuse to not make them almost instantly.
The main ingredients are:
- OATS: I used rolled oats here. Oats excellent source of fiber, especially beta-glucan that is known for its power to lower cholesterol and therefore keep your heart healthy (2). Also, oats are high in vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants, as well as proteins.
- PEANUT BUTTER: I used creamy all natural peanut butter here. Peanut butter is versatile protein-packed spread that is not only super tasty but super healthy too. It’s packed with proteins and healthy fats, as well with fibers. (3) Peanut butter is low in carbs and suitable for people with type 2 diabetes or those following a low-carb diet. Also, half of the fat in peanut butter is made up of oleic acid, a healthy type of monounsaturated fat that promotes good heart health.
- PROTEIN POWDER: I used vegan hemp protein powder here but you're welcome to use any protein powder you like or use regularly. Also you can substitute protein powder with collagen.
To sweeten these protein balls, I used raw honey. To boost these protein balls with some extra superfood super-powers, I also added some ground flax seeds. Flax seeds have omega-3s, and consuming these fatty acids improves mood, and fight inflammation, which can happen after stress, any physical exhaustion even workout.
I love to use spices that promote good health, so I also added some Ceylon cinnamon. Of course, I added a splash of vanilla too, just to make these beauties more irresistible.
How to make Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Usually, to make energy balls, you would need a food processor. But these Peanut Butter Protein Balls require no extra equipment - only mixing bowl and spatula.
- Start with preparing and measuring all ingredients using measuring cups.
- In a large mixing bowl add honey, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix using spatula or whisk until you get nice tick and sticky mixture.
- Add in oats, protein powder and ground flaxseeds. Mix everything together using spatula.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the dough and roll between your palms to form a little bite-size ball. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Place balls on a plate, serving tray or in an airtight container and refrigerate to harden.
- Makes 22 bite-sized balls. Recommended serving size is 2 balls.
PRO TIPS:
- If peanut butter is too hard, microwave it for a few seconds to soften.
- Use natural soft peanut butter. Crunchy won’t work well here.
- You can sift protein powder before adding to get rid of any lumps.
- If you notice that mixture is to dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of warm water.
Substitutions
- Substitute ground FLAX SEEDS with ground chia seeds or hemp seeds.
- Substitute PROTEIN POWDER for collagen powder.
- Substitute HONEY with maple syrup or date syrup.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, or any nut butter or nut-free butter.
- FOR GLUTEN-FREE: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- FOR VEGAN: Use vegan protein powder.
Tips for storing
- Keep covered in air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- HOW TO FREEZE: Place balls in a zip-lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw for 10 minutes on room temperature.
Everything about these Peanut Butter Protein Balls is absolutely amazing. They are:
- no-bake and made with only few simple pantry ingredients,
- full of high-quality dietary fibers that promote good digestion, weight loss, and a healthy digestive system,
- loaded with protein,
- rich in healthy omega-3s,
- free of refined sugars,
- gluten-free and vegan,
- low in calories, kid-friendly and very satisfying,
- perfect everyday snack for whole family.
Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Protein Balls recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 scoop protein powder
- ¼ cup ground flaxseeds
- 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add honey, creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract. Mix using spatula or whisk until you get nice tick and sticky mixture.
- Add in 3rolled oats, protein powder, ground flaxseeds. Mix everything together using spatula.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the dough and roll between your palms to form a little bite-size ball. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Place balls on a plate, serving tray or in an airtight container and refrigerate to harden.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Keep covered in an air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. PRO TIPS:
If peanut butter is too hard, microwave it for a few seconds to soften.
Use natural soft peanut butter. Crunchy won’t work well here.
You can sift protein powder before adding to get rid of any lumps.
If you notice that the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of warm water. Substitutions
Substitute ground FLAX SEEDS with ground chia seeds or hemp seeds.
Substitute PROTEIN POWDER for collagen powder.
Substitute HONEY with maple syrup or date syrup.
You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, or any nut butter or nut-free butter.
FOR GLUTEN-FREE: Use certified gluten-free oats.
FOR VEGAN: Use vegan protein powder. Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutrition
More energy balls recipes
- Lemon Turmeric Energy Balls
- Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- Turmeric Maca Powder Cacao Energy Balls
- Hazelnut Chocolate Balls
- No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
I've been looking for a recipe for peanut butter protein balls and this one is hands down the best. Tastes amazing!
I love no-bake snacks and these peanut butter protein balls are to die for! So easy to make and a perfect snack on hot summer days
I love quick and easy snacks that are healthy for our family. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
My kids love energy balls, but I haven't yet made them with protein powder. This is a bonus for my protein powder obsessed husband! Thanks for the idea!
such delicious little bites! Great flavor and love that they're so healthy!
These peanut butter protein balls are the bomb!! I have been looking for a healthy snack recipe and came across this recipe. Having all of the ingredients in my pantry, I whipped up a batch. These taste so amazing and I love that the leftovers can be frozen. When I need a heathy snack, just reach in the freezer and grab a couple of the balls!!
These are beyond delicious! Love the addition of flax for some heart healthy fats and fiber too.
Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!
Wow! These protein balls are such a hit and one of my husband's favorite for a snack! Such a delicious and very yummy snack. Definitely a favorite here and I'll be making these again soon!
Cant get any better than tasty with a boost of energy in one bite
These sound great for a post work-out snack! I love peanut butter.
I made these for an afternoon snack and both my husband and I loved them! So easy to make and delicious!
The snacking with two kids in the house is insane! These look like the perfect grab-and-go snack to keep in the fridge. I love that they're healthy but taste like a treat.
Healthy protein-rich and guilt-free balls.. Love it
These are so good I always have a bowl of these in my fridge for when I need a healthy sweet treat.
These sound delicious and will be perfect for school snacks. Thank you!
Hi! Can you tell me what protein powder you use or recommend? I’ve had a hard time finding one that I like. Thanks!
Hi Kristen, there are so many factors to consider when choosing a protein powder. It mostly depends on your current needs and goals. Is it building muscles? Or you simply want to supplement your diet and have more energy? If you workout, the best powder to choose is whey isolate or casein protein powder. To supplement your diet, you can use ANY whey protein powder.
I'm currently using MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate: https://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/impact-whey-isolate/ I take him daily before my workouts. Another good choice is Impact Diet Whey. It's low in calories and has added nutrients. It's great as a meal supplement: https://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/impact-diet-whey/ I take diet whey on my rest days, I use them in my cooking and baking too.
Flavor-wise, they are all the same to me, to be honest. I just really dislike vegan protein powders. They taste different and not to my likings. Let me know if you have any more questions. :)
This will be a hit in the kitchen when I make one. Thanks for sharing the snack.
These are the best snack to keep in the fridge! I love how easy they are to make, how protein-packed they are, and all the peanut-buttery cinnamon deliciousness. Thank you for this great recipe!
Protein is a big deal here. My mom is living with us now and she is low on protein.
I love protein balls! This recipe look so easy and delicious. Protein balls are perfect on-the-go snack. I can't cannot wait to try your recipe. Thank you!
We've been working out again and need all the protein snacks we can get - This peanut butter one is a keeper!! Love it!
These are the perfect sweet afternoon treat! I love that they have healthy oats and flaxseed too.
I love these little peanut butter protein balls! They're so easy to make and convenient for the busy week. Plus, they're super delicious!
Always needing extra protein, and I love how delicious these are! Plus SO simple and fast to make which is perfect for how busy I am.
I've been looking for an easy recipe for protein balls that contains no sugar and yours looks perfect. Not to mention so easy to make.
Oh these energy balls are exactly what I need! Trying this recipe soon!
This recipe is really great. I am a huge fan of peanut butter and Im really jealous about this post. How I wish I could have some or make my own as well.... <3