Peanut butter protein balls are the perfect high-protein snack to munch on post-workout or mid-day when you need something to tide you over!
Protein Balls = The Best Snack Around Town
What is better than a healthy snack that tastes good and is ready for you whenever you have a craving for a little something sweet?
We are BIG fans of protein balls here on Fit Foodie Finds. We love to mix up a double batch of balls and have them on hand all week long. These PB protein balls, specifically, are our all time fav. Here’s why:
Protein Balls Quick Facts
- Gluten-Free
- 9g protein/ball
- Lower in sugar
- 140 calories/ball
- No food processor necessary!
No Food Processor Necessary!
This may be one of the main differences between this protein ball recipe and the other protein ball recipes on our site! You don’t need a food processor to mix these bad boys up. Generally, we use dates in our ball recipes which requires a food processor.
Though we love our food processor (and dates), sometimes it’s just nice to use one bowl and a spoon, do you feel me? Our chocolate no bake peanut butter balls are the other ball recipe on FFF where there is no food processor needed.
We wanted to up our protein snack game so now we have these amazing and now we have these simple peanut butter protein ball!
Peanut Butter Protein Ball Ingredients
These peanut butter protein balls are packed with nutrient-dense ingredients that go perfectly together and will keep you satisfied all. day. long.
Let’s go over everything you need for these protein balls.
Peanut Butter- Though peanut butter adds a whole bunch of amazing flavor to this recipe, it also acts as a nice binder as well has adds moisture to this ball recipe. So, when you are deciding what peanut butter to use in this recipe, make sure it is DRIPPY peanut butter!
Protein- Not to scare you, but what type of protein powder you use will dictate how chalky your protein balls are! We used Garden of Life protein powder in these balls and you can barely tell that there is protein powder.
Now, don’t go crazy and buy a ton of protein powder (unless you want to), just be prepared to add a little more water or honey to your balls. Or? Just have chalky protein balls with a big glass of water! They will still taste amazing!
Best Protein Powders
Check out our top protein powder recommendations for baking, smoothies, and everything in between.
guide to protein powder
Looking for the best protein powder to buy? Check out our Guide to Protein Powder where we share our top plant-based and whey protein powders.
Rolled Oats- Oats not only add a healthy dose of fiber to these balls, but they give these protein balls a nice bite and act as a great binder to soak up extra moisture.
Honey- Honey is both the sweetener and the glue that holds these balls together! Don’t skip it!
Chia Seeds- These protein balls are a great source of protein AND fiber and omega 3 fatty acids because of these chia seeds!
Chocolate Chips- I mean, is there a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate? I didn’t think so. Add the mini chocolate chips! Feel free to replace the chocolate chips with vegan chocolate chips or even chopped up chocolate bar!
Peanut Butter Balls 101
Are protein balls good for you?
Yes is the short answer to this question. Protein balls are good for you if you eat them in moderation! Have one protein ball as a snack, for breakfast, or right after a workout.
Why aren’t my protein balls sticking together?
If your protein balls are not sticking together you probably need to add a little bit more moisture. Add a teaspoon of water at a time until your protein balls stick together to form a ball!
Is there a good nut butter substitute for peanut butter?
If you don’t have peanut butter on hand you can substitute the peanut butter with any other DRIPPY nut butter. Just be sure it’s DRIPPY.
- Cashew Butter
- Almond Butter
- Sunflower Seed Butter
How many calories is in one peanut butter protein ball?
There are some pretty nutrient dense ingredients in these protein balls and for that reason they are a bit more calorie dense! There are about 141 calories per ball!
How do I make protein balls all the same size?
You can make sure all your protein balls are the same size by using a cookie dough scooper or a tablespoon!
Can I store my protein balls in the freezer?
Yes, after you make your protein balls, freeze them on a cookie sheet to harden them and then place them all in a freezer safe bag and store them in the freezer!
Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup drippy all-natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder we used Garden of Life*
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1-4 teaspoons water*
Instructions
- Place peanut butter, protein powder, rolled oats, chia seeds, honey, and mini chocolate chips into a medium bowl.
- Use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix the dough together. At this point, begin to add water by the teaspoon.
- Depending on how drippy your peanut butter is, you'll need to add more or less water. The water not only helps moisten things so your balls hold shape, but they actually help your balls become less chalky.
- Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop dough into your palms. Roll into balls until all dough is gone. You should get somewhere between 14-16 balls.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips & Notes
- Protein powder: if you use a whey or collagen-based protein powder, you will likely need more than 1/3 cup. We tested with Bulletproof Vanilla Collagen Protein Powder and needed to use an extra 2.5 tablespoons of protein powder and no water.
Watch It
Nutrition facts
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I’ve tried many recipes for this dish before, but this one is by far the best! The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the end result is mouthwatering.
perfect sweet
These are delicious! I’d like to see a nutrition break down adding flax meal and coconut flakes
Great post, which helped me alot to create similar food recipes, Keep posting this amazing recipes ❤😊
Good Recipe, it helped us alot, keep posting such recipes ❤
These were the first protein balls I have ever made and this recipe is great! Simple and delicious 😋 A must try!
Ooo look at those gorg protein balls! 😀
These were the easiest protein balls to make & so delicious I rolled mine in chopped slithered almonds. Will definitely be making them again.
Yay! So glad that you like them!!
Love how easy they are to throw together! I was wanting a smooth texture so I used 1/3 cup oat flour instead of rolled oats. They are so good!
So smart with the oat flour!
Great flavor and so easy to make! These make the perfect sweet treat or a filling snack after a workout.
With only one bowl to mess and 20 minutes to spare these were a quick protein packed snack to whip up. Perfect extra to add to the lunch box or grab from the fridge before dinner.
And the photo before they’re gone by my kiddos!
YUMMM!!! Approved by my two year old, four year old and by mama! We used sunflower butter so they could be a nut free snack to add to my kindergartner’s lunch or snack!
Love me some dessert protein 🤩 Easiest recipe I’ve made so far!
These are sooo good! The recipe is so versatile and I LOVE that I don’t have to clean the food processor!
Made this tasty and healthy after school snack with the kids. We all loved them and I’m happy they’re high in protein.
My daughter and I just made these peanut butter protein balls and they are the bomb! I probably should have doubled the recipe😁
These PB balls were FANTASTIC! Nothing I love more than a sweet quick snack! Easy to grab in the AM with some fruit or in the afternoon as a snack to hold me over until dinner 😁 thanks for the recipe!!
Super easy to make that makes for a super easy snack! Loves these go-to recipes
Loved how quick and easy these were to make! Looking forward to this snack all week!
Super easy to make and super yummy! I used chocolate whey protein instead of vanilla and it turned out great.
I’ve been making these for a while. The best, most convenient and tasty pre-workout snack to have on the way to the gym. Both my son and I love them! Thank you Lee for all your recipes. Can’t wait for the next one.
Best balls in town😍