Peanut Butter Protein Balls

4.88 from 144 votes
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We are BIG fans of protein balls here on Fit Foodie Finds and have been making them since this website launched in 2010! Heck, I’ve been making them since before the website as a quick grab-and-go snack in college. And, this specific recipe was a lifesaver after I had my baby Gus 🙏🏻

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! These protein balls have 9g of protein per ball and do not require a food processor!

A stack of peanut butter protein balls
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These peanut butter protein balls are our most popular protein ball recipe on the site and rightfully so. They’re made with just 6 ingredients and don’t require a food processor.

I almost always have a bag of these protein balls in my freezer because I know hanger can strike at any moment. More recently, I’ve taught my 2 nephews how to make peanut butter protein balls and now every time I see them they expect some balls!

What is in these peanut butter 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 powder- 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 Plant-Based Protein Powder in these balls and you can barely tell that there is protein powder. I’ve also made this recipe with Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen Powder countless times.
  • 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!
garden of life protein powder.

5 Stars

Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Powder

22G protein // 0g sugar // 110 calories // $1.56 per serving// vegan // gluten-free // soy-free // non-gmo // organic

All the ingredients for peanut butter protein balls

Variations

Instead of peanut butter, try a different nut butter such as cashew or almond. Add different add-ins into the dough for an easy twist such as:

  • Chopped nuts
  • Mini M&M’s
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Raisins

What is the best protein powder for protein balls?

We get this question all the time. What is the best protein powder? Lucky for you, we’ve done an extensive protein powder review on the site and have some options for you below. You’re more than welcome to use a whey-based protein powder or plant-based.

Quick tip: make sure you like the taste of your protein powder. We’re not huge fans of stevia, so just watch for that on the label.

Best Protein Powders

Check out our top protein powder recommendations for baking, smoothies, and everything in between.

Scooping peanut butter protein balls

Can I use collagen powder instead?

You sure can! I actually prefer it. Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen has been my go-to in this protein balls recipe. I love how smooth and creamy it is and it doesn’t taste like fake sure! Plus, it’s also high in protein.

Why aren’t my peanut butter 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!

PS: this is why we recommend using an all-natural, drippy peanut butter because that extra moisture helps these balls stick together.

Can I use a different nut 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 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.

Peanut Butter Protein Balls in a tray

How to Store Protein Balls

If you look in my freezer, there is always a bag of protein balls! And this, is my preferred way to store them.

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and then place the balls on the parchment paper.
  2. Freeze them for 2 hours. You do this so that they don’t stick to one another in the bag.
  3. Transfer them into a gallon-size plastic bag and remove as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.
4.88 from 144 votes

Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe

Our peanut butter protein balls are a reader favorite! They're made with 6 ingredients, require NO food processor, and have 9g protein per ball.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 14
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Place peanut butter, protein powder, rolled oats, chia seeds, honey, and mini chocolate chips into a medium bowl.
    A bowl of ingredients for peanut butter protein balls.
  • 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.
    Peanut butter protein balls in a glass bowl.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Tips & Notes

  • Protein powder: All protein powders are different and might require a different amount of water. 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 Vital Proteins Vanilla Protein Powder and needed to use an extra 2.5 tablespoons of protein powder and no water.

Watch It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”EvQ2P6Gu” upload-date=”2020-04-12T09:00:00.000Z” name=”Peanut Butter Protein Balls” description=”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!”]

Nutrition

Calories: 141 kcal, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 9 g, Fat: 7 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 3 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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protein balls stacked

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About Lee Funke

Lee is the founder of Fit Foodie Finds and based in Minneapolis, MN. She started this website in 2010 as a way to share her love for real food and wellness. The internet has changed so much since then and so has Fit Foodie Finds. Today we're a female-run recipe website publishing hundreds of tried and true recipes developed and tested by our team.

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meghan
meghan
January 5, 2021 10:26 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
Super tasty snack and really easy to make!

SKB
SKB
January 5, 2021 10:00 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
These were so easy to make โ€” I donโ€™t usually incorporate protein powder into my diet, but Iโ€™ve been wanting to! Made these after dinner and my boyfriend thought I was making dessert… I was hoping to save them as a breakfast snack but he might eat all of them tonight! Chocolate and PB never disappoints ๐Ÿ˜‰

SKB
SKB
January 5, 2021 10:11 pm
Reply to  SKB

Pic for proof did not upload the first time ๐Ÿ™‚

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Jennifer M
Jennifer M
January 5, 2021 6:37 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

4 stars
Letโ€™s face it, itโ€™s gonna take a lot of balls to get through the next few months! ๐Ÿ˜ Seriously though I love this recipe, it is a staple in our house. I donโ€™t love the taste of the protein powder I used so will try another one next time but overall this is an amazing snack / dessert to have on hand!

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Shari
Shari
January 5, 2021 5:24 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
I love these protein balls! So easy to make with just a few ingredients and they taste so good! Definitely keeping this recipe on hand to make again and again!

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Allison
Allison
January 5, 2021 4:58 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
So easy! So tasty!

Erin
Erin
January 5, 2021 2:21 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
Loved these! Will def make again ๐Ÿ˜€

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Denise Felder
Denise Felder
January 5, 2021 1:57 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

4 stars
Delicious and kept me satisfied.

Maura
Maura
January 5, 2021 12:35 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
The easiest sweet protein treat!! Never too many chocolate chips right???

Heather
Heather
January 5, 2021 11:58 am
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
These were so easy to make with ingredients I already had on hand! I stuck them in the freezer, and will grab one when I have a sweet tooth. Healthy and delish!
Heathermgreen@msn.com

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Last edited 3 years ago by Heather
Nicole S
Nicole S
January 5, 2021 5:39 am
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
My husband is OBSESSED with the protein balls from Hyvee that you pay ~$6 for 5 in a container. I tried this recipe as a more cost friendly way to get him a bigger batch, and itโ€™s easily his favorite thing Iโ€™ve ever made for him. I think Iโ€™ve made it about 8 times since. He was recently giving me grief for not having made them recently, so what better excuse to get out the Ninja blender and whip some up than a contest?

Iโ€™m not a cook- at all- but this recipe is so simple to follow. Itโ€™s quick and clean up is easy. 5 stars because itโ€™s my go-to protein ball recipe!

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