These No-Bake Protein Balls are packed with heart-healthy oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and protein powder. They make a great afternoon snack or pre-workout snack you can grab straight from the fridge.
Looking for more grab-and-go snacks? Try these Baked Oatmeal Cups!
About This Recipe
This year, my wife has really gotten into long-distance running, so I've been making lots of high-protein and high-carb recipes to fuel her (check out my cottage cheese pancakes or protein chia seed pudding). She usually snacks on a protein bar before a long run, but they cost a crap ton of money, so I decided to make these homemade protein balls instead. They're loaded with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and protein powder.
This recipe is easy to make and easy to adapt as well. Simply combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, then use your hands to shape them into balls. Now you have a quick grab-and-go snack that will fuel you with energy all day. You can easily adapt it by swapping the mini chocolate chips for raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts. You can also use almond butter or any nut butter in place of the peanut butter.
Key Ingredients
Quick oats: I like using quick oats because they are already pre-steamed, so they will be gentler on your stomach than eating uncooked rolled oats. That said, whole rolled oats will work in this recipe too.
Creamy peanut butter: Use a creamy, processed peanut butter, such as Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter tends to be a bit too oily and doesn't emulsify with the other ingredients as well.
Vanilla protein powder: This is what gives these energy bites lots of protein. Any brand of vanilla whey or plant-based protein powder works. And keep in mind that the protein you choose will impact the flavor of the balls.
Honey: For natural sweetness. You can also use maple syrup, but I find maple syrup to make protein balls that are not as firm.
Mini chocolate chips: Mini chocolate chips are better than regular chocolate chips here because they distribute more evenly into the balls.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a large bowl, add the oats, peanut butter, protein powder, honey, and chocolate chips.
STEP 2: Stir until well combined. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to set (it will be easier to roll into balls).
STEP 3: Use a cookie scoop to portion into 1-inch balls, then roll them smooth with your hands.
STEP 4: Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
📋 Recipe
No Bake Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the oats, peanut butter, protein powder, honey, and chocolate chips. Stir until well combined.
- Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to set (it will be easier to roll into balls).
- Use a cookie scoop to portion into 1-inch balls, then roll them smooth with your hands.
- Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
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