No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls
on Apr 19, 2021, Updated Mar 25, 2025
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These simple, nutritious peanut butter protein balls combine creamy peanut butter, wholesome oats, and quality protein powder for a perfect on-the-go snack that satisfies cravings while boosting energy levels throughout your busy day.
I am a snacker through and through. I like to have vegetables precut and in the fridge so when I have a hankering for something I make a healthy choice. These peanut butter protein balls are great for the same reason. Plus, they totally taste like dessert.
Peanut butter protein balls are full of healthy ingredients. Anything with peanut butter has my heart! These are also loaded with protein, honey, and you can add chocolate chips for a truly tasty combination. Peanut butter protein balls are great for kids to create. Simply mix all of the ingredients together and form into balls. Easy peasy.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe
- Nutrient-Dense Fuel: Each bite delivers a perfect balance of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates to keep you energized between meals.
- Five-Minute Prep: With no baking required and just one bowl to clean, these fit perfectly into your busy schedule.
- Budget-Friendly: Using pantry staples, these homemade energy bites cost a fraction of store-bought protein snacks.
- Kid-Approved Taste: The natural sweetness and peanut butter flavor make these a hit with even the pickiest eaters.
🍽️ There is a never ending variety of healthy protein bites you can make ahead and keep in the fridge and freezer for easy snacks!
Recipe Ingredients
- Peanut butter — A natural, more runny brand works best
- Quick oats — Old-fashioned oats and oat flour can also be used.
- Honey
- Protein powder — Unflavored, chocolate, and vanilla all work well in this recipe.
- Vanilla extract — optional
- Salt — optional
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities
How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Step 1: Add ingredients to a bowl and stir well.
Step 2: Place the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Measure out one tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into a ball.
Step 4: Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, I have only tried making these with sun butter but they turned out just as yummy! I think almond butter or cashew butter would work great, too.
Protein balls stay fresh in the fridge for about a week and in the freezer for up to 3 months when properly stored. I love making a double batch-some to eat now and the rest to save for later.
If you don’t have protein powder on hand, you can substitute with ground flaxseed, additional oats, or almond flour. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious and nutritious.
Expert Tips
- Wet Hands Technique: Slightly dampen your hands before rolling to prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers and create perfectly smooth balls.
- Sweetness: You can adjust the honey to your liking, less honey for less sweet and more honey for sweeter.
- Too Wet or Dry: If the mixture is too dry, try adding water, a tablespoon at a time, until it comes together. If it’s too wet, try adding more oats and/or more protein powder, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together.
- Add-Ins: You can add other things if you’d like like mini chocolate chips, coconut, or chia seeds. You can add a few tablespoons of these with no issues.
More Healthy Protein Bites You’ll Love
Protein balls are one of my main homemade snacks that I usually make each week while doing some meal prep. They will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week and in the freezer for up to 3 months when stored in an airtight container so it’s easy to always have some on hand for easy snacking!
- No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Balls: Packed with wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, honey, and flaxseed.
- Blueberry Bliss Balls: A clean-eating snack that satisfies sweet cravings while providing lasting energy.
- Pumpkin Energy Balls: Quick & healthy no-bake pumpkin energy balls that taste like cookies but are good for you!
More Healthy Snack Recipes to Consider
Healthy Snacks
No Bake Energy Bites: 25 Easy Snack Recipes
Healthy Snacks
Cherry Bliss Balls: 5-Minute Recipe For Cherry Balls
Breakfast Recipes
Protein Shakes
Snacks
Breakfast Bars
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup runny natural peanut butter
- 1 cup quick oats
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup protein powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl add all of the ingredients and stir well to combine.
- The mixture should be thick like cookie dough.
- Place the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the fridge. Working with about a tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining dough to make about 14 balls.
- Enjoy! Keep extras in the fridge.
Notes
- Feel free to use old fashioned oats or even oat flour in this recipe.
- If the mixture is too dry, try adding water, a tablespoon at a time, until it comes together.
- If the mixture is too wet, try adding more oats and/or more protein powder, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together.
- You can add other things if you’d like like mini chocolate chips, coconut, or chia seeds. You can add a few tablespoons of these with no issues.
