Super easy and mouth-watering no-bake protein balls! Not only are they bursting with delicious flavor, they only take 10 minutes to make and are packed with protein, oats, and nut butter to ensure a healthy protein breakfast or snack. My son says these taste like peanut butter chocolate candy!
Be sure to also try our high protein oatmeal, protein cookies, and energy balls too!
Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: No baking
- ⏳ Total Time: 10 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 22 balls
- ⚡ Calories: 104kcal per ball
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Sweet rich peanut butter and chocolate with soft oats and vanilla
- ✋ Difficulty: Mix in one bowl, scoop, roll, chill. Measuring help is in my teaspoons in a tablespoon guide.
Quick Answer
In a large bowl mix 1 cup quick cook oats, 1 cup vanilla protein powder, ½ cup peanut butter, ⅓ cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time (up to 3 to 4 tablespoons) until it holds together like a dough, mix in ½ cup mini chocolate chips, scoop with a tablespoon cookie scoop, roll into smooth balls and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Makes 22.
Jump to:
What do protein balls do? They help build lean muscle mass, aid in weight management, and increase energy - making them the perfect snack.
Protein balls are a quick source of protein that tastes delicious and are simple to make! These protein balls come together with sweet rich peanut butter and chocolate flavor and are a must have in the refrigerator at all times! They are the perfect snack on the go or for after a workout!
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Oats plus protein powder is the protein base. Every bite is filled with protein from protein powder and oats. Yes, oats contain protein and just one ½ cup serving of oats contains 6 grams of protein.
- Peanut butter and maple syrup are the glue. The nut butter binds and the syrup sweetens, so the balls hold their shape without baking.
- Water is added a tablespoon at a time. The consistency of these protein balls will vary depending on what protein powder is used. Some powders are more moist, where others like whey may require more water.
- Quick cook oats melt in your mouth. They have a softer texture than rolled oats and a smooth consistency that absorbs the flavors of peanut butter and vanilla.
- The fridge does the setting. Chilling hardens the peanut butter so they are not super sticky and keeps the shape of the balls.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Made with simple healthy natural ingredients! Each little ball contains natural protein from plant-based ingredients.
- Vegan and dairy-free healthy snack! These no-bake protein balls use vegan ingredients like maple syrup (but you can use honey too), and use certified gluten-free oats for a gluten-free treat.
- Versatile and can be turned into different flavors. Protein and energy bites contain a few basic ingredients that have flavors added to make them different.
- 10 minutes, one bowl, 22 balls. Batch them on Sunday next to my no-bake breakfast bars and homemade granola bars for the week.
- Kid approved. They are on my list of gluten free dairy free snacks for kids.
Key Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cook oats - make sure the package says certified gluten-free for gluten-free.
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder - use your favorite kind! We tested this recipe with whey protein powder and a lighter vegan version that absorbs less liquid.
- ½ cup peanut butter or almond butter.
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey.
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt.
- 1 tablespoon water plus more if needed which depends on the type of protein powder used.
- ½ cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips.
Full recipe ingredients and measurements are in the recipe card below.
Flavor Variations for Protein Bites
- Dried fruit - swap out the chocolate chips for pieces of dried fruit like dates, raisins, or cranberries.
- Chocolate protein balls - add chocolate protein powder in place of vanilla.
- Different nut butters - almond butter or sunflower seed butter both work, or go nut-free like my coconut oatmeal energy bites.
- White chocolate and cranberries - a holiday version.
- Food processor method - grind the ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a food processor to smooth the oats and make the consistency smooth. Just add 1 tablespoon of water and after the dough is mixed check the consistency to see if it needs more liquid. Then fold in the chocolate chips and roll.
- Matcha - for a green tea version try my matcha energy balls.
How to Make Protein Balls
Line a large baking pan with parchment paper before you start.
1In a large bowl combine the oats, protein powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and mix well. Add 1 tablespoon at a time of water (up to about 3-4 tablespoons) until the consistency is like a dough and all the oats stay together without crumbling. Mix in the chocolate chips.
2Using a tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the dough onto the cookie sheet. Using your hands, roll each ball of the dough into smooth balls and set each back on the parchment paper.
3If the balls are sticky when you are trying to roll them, keep them on the baking sheet and place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to harden, then roll them into balls.
4Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week. This hardens the peanut butter so they are not super sticky and keeps the shape of the balls.
As always, be sure to check out the full recipe details in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success Using Protein Powder
- The type of protein powder changes the consistency. Some protein powders absorb more liquid than others. When adding water start with 1 tablespoon and add up to about ¼ cup. If using a food processor less might be ok.
- Too much water? Just add more oats.
- Plain or chocolate protein powder both work. Just add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Sticky dough - chill it on the baking sheet for about 30 minutes to harden, then roll.
- Pre and post workout. Pair one with a post workout protein smoothie after the gym.
- More no-bake bites. My no-bake chocolate chip cookie bites and no-bake oatmeal cookies use the same scoop-and-roll method.
Serving Ideas
They are perfect to eat as an energizing snack in the day and both for a pre-workout and post-workout snack. Pack two in a lunchbox with a peanut butter banana smoothie, set a bowl out for after-school snacking next to chickpea cookie dough, or keep them in the fridge for a quick refuel. For a bar version try my no-bake peanut butter bars or chia date bars.
Protein Balls FAQs
Yes, protein balls are healthy! These protein balls have fiber, iron, and 5 grams of protein per ball. They are made with protein powder, oats, and vegan ingredients like maple syrup. You can eat just one for a quick refuel or have a bunch!
Protein balls are made to add an instant boost of energy and protein in small bites! They do exactly what they are meant to do and are a quick protein snack at about 100 calories per bite.
Rolled oats or quick cook oats. I prefer to use quick cook oats since they have a softer texture. It makes these no-bake protein balls melt in your mouth and have a smooth consistency that absorbs delicious flavors of peanut butter and vanilla.
Protein balls are high in fiber and rich in protein. They are perfect to eat as an energizing snack in the day and both for a pre-workout and post-workout snack.
Store them in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw a few in the fridge overnight.
The protein powder is the variable. If the dough crumbles, add water 1 tablespoon at a time; if it is sticky, add a little more oats or chill the scooped dough for 30 minutes before rolling.
Protein Balls Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cook oats certified gluten-free
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder
- ½ cup peanut butter or almond butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- pink Himalayan salt pinch of
- 1 tablespoon water plus more if needed which depends on the type of protein powder used (see notes below)
- ½ cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl combine the oats, protein powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and mix well. Add 1 tablespoon at a time of water (up to about 3-4 tablespoons total - see notes below) until the consistency is like a dough and all the oats are coated. Mix in the chocolate chips.
- Using a tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the dough onto the cookie sheet. Using your hands, roll each ball of the dough into smooth balls and set each back on the parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Tammie says
Hey! Just to be sure, the macros listed is for 1 protein ball, correct? It’s a little iffy because you said you usually end up eating 4. Just need to be sure for caring my insulin dependent Grandson. He will love these in his school lunches, or before jiu jitsu! Thank you! These look delicious!
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Hi! Yes, it is for 1 protein ball.
Teri says
Love making these for the kids for snacks all week!
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Teri, thank you for your rating - they are sooo good, right?! I'm so happy y'all are enjoying them:-).