My partner and I do a lot of workouts during the week. And he’s prepping for an intense swim.
This gives me the opportunity to work on a lot of high-protein recipes.
These no-bake protein balls are so good!
They’re chewy, chocolatey, just the right amount of sweet!
They take less than 10 minutes to whip up. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a blender or anything high-maintenance.
Just a bowl, a spoon, and a strong desire to snack smarter.
These little bites are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making them perfect for post-workout, mid-morning crashes, or midnight cravings.
Please note I’m adding variations and substitutions after the recipe.
Let’s dive in!
Please note that this post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through a link, I make a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips to Make it Even Better
- Use a good-quality natural peanut butter that’s runny—not the dry kind. This makes mixing so much easier. Try this organic peanut butter.
- For extra protein, go with a clean, great-tasting powder like this one here—some powders can be chalky, so choose wisely.
- If your mixture is too sticky, add a few more oats. Too dry? A tiny bit more nut butter or honey should do it.
- Want a bit of crunch? Toss in some chopped nuts or a few chia seeds for bonus fiber.
- Roll them in shredded coconut or drizzle with a bit of melted dark chocolate to make them feel extra fancy.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy12
balls10
minutesIngredients
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
1/3 cup chocolate chips (dark or semi-sweet)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Directions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the oats, protein powder, and salt, and mix well with a spatula until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips at the end. If the mixture feels too dry, add a teaspoon of milk or a splash of extra honey.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands (pro tip: slightly damp hands make rolling easier).
- Place them on a baking sheet or plate and chill for 20–30 minutes to set. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week—or freeze for longer.
- This is a fun treat to have even to satisfy cravings!
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter if you’re nut-free.
- Use mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even dried cranberries instead.
- Replace the oats with quick oats for a softer texture, or try a gluten-free version if needed.
- Make them more dessert-y by adding a spoonful of cocoa powder to the mix.
- Not into honey? Maple syrup works perfectly too.
These no-bake protein balls are the kind of snack that make you feel like you have your life together—even if it’s just for a moment.
They’re ridiculously easy, endlessly customizable, and honestly, they beat any store-bought protein bar by a mile.
Make a double batch. Your future self will thank you.
