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These peanut butter protein balls are an excellent on the go snack or breakfast! They’re also a perfect protein snack to pop into a lunch.
If you’re looking for easy snacks, you might also like my cottage cheese protein cookies, naturally sweetened peanut butter snack balls or my granola cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There has been a big emphasis lately on high protein snacks in the world of nutrition, and I’ve been fully embracing it! These peanut butter snack balls contain a natural source of protein, thanks to the peanut butter. I’ve also included hemp hearts in this recipe, which contain 10 grams of protein in just 3 tablespoons.
Along with the peanut butter, there is a whole 1/2 cup of protein powder in this recipe! So these little snack balls are a great little post workout treat or breakfast before a busy day. If you aren’t worried about nut free snacks, then you can also include these in a lunchbox!
These protein balls also happen to freeze well so you can always make a large batch and freeze some for later.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Very simple ingredients for this recipe! All you’ll need is:
- Peanut Butter: I always use all natural, smooth peanut butter for my recipes. You could absolutely use the more processed version if that’s what you have on hand! That peanut butter will add some extra sweetness to the recipe.
- Rolled Oats: Large flake, rolled oats is what you want for these peanut butter protein balls! I buy the bag of rolled oats from Costco.
- Hemp Hearts: Just an add-in but I love the extra protein from the hemp hearts and they had a little bit of texture and crunch!
- Honey: The honey is the perfect amount of sweetness and adds a bit of sticky power to keep everything together. If you’re not a fan of honey you could swap it for maple syrup
- Cocoa Nibs: I love cocoa nibs! They are rich in minerals and nutrients and don’t contain all of the sugar of chocolate chips; however, if you’re not a fan please feel free to use mini chocolate chips!
Optional Topping: The chocolate drizzle over the top of the protein balls is totally optional but very delicious! You’ll need just a couple of tablespoons of chocolate chips mixed with a 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Measure all of your ingredients out prior to starting the recipe.
- Use a large wooden spoon to mix all of the ingredients together! It will be thick and sticky so you’ll have to put some effort in!
- Try different flavoured protein powders to change the taste a bit of the protein balls!
- Use seed butter for a nut free version or cashew or almond butter for a different flavour.
- If things are too dry or crumbly add a bit of water at a time, stirring to combine until everything is sticking together nicely.
How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls
The full instructions for this recipe can be found in the recipe card but here is an overview of the recipe directions.
- Mix together all of the ingredients except for the cocoa nibs until everything is combined and smooth. Add the cocoa nibs (or chocolate chips if using) and stir together.
- Create balls using your hands or a large cookie scoop and roll between your hands to ensure everything is stuck together. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill the balls or melt together the chocolate and coconut oil together to drizzle over the tops of the protein balls.
Storage Tips
I always keep these peanut butter protein balls in the fridge, but they could be left on the counter as well for 1-2 weeks as long as they’re in an airtight container!
If you’re making a large batch or you don’t think you’ll eat them quick enough, you can also store these in the freezer for a long time! If it’s airtight, these balls would be fine in the freezer for 3-4 months.
You could also consider storing them in the freezer and then just taking one or two out in the morning for a lunchbox, as they’ll thaw throughout the morning.
More Easy Snack Recipes
Who doesn’t love easy snacks?! Here are some of my favourites from the blog that I think you’ll enjoy.
- cottage cheese protein cookies
- 4 ingredient oatmeal cookies
- granola cookies
- candied walnuts
- coconut peanut butter
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 14–15 balls 1x
Description
These peanut butter protein balls are an excellent on the go snack or breakfast! They’re also a perfect protein snack to pop into a lunch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup large flake oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup natural, smooth peanut butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp hemp hearts
- 2 tbsp cocoa nibs
- optional: 1-2 teaspoons water
Optional Chocolate Topping
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add together the large flake oats, protein powder, peanut butter, honey and hemp hearts. Use a large wooden spoon to stir everything together until smooth.
- Add in the cocoa nibs, and if the mixture seems dry and crumbly, add 1 teaspoon of water to the mixture and stir together. Add another teaspoon of water if necessary.
- Using a large cookie scoop or large tablespoon, create balls and roll between your hands to ensure everything is stuck together. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Optional Topping: In a microwave safe bowl, melt the coconut oil and chocolate chips together for 30-4o seconds, stirring until smooth. Use a teaspoon to drizzle the chocolate topping over the tops of the protein balls.
- Place the peanut butter protein balls in the fridge for 1-2 hours to firm up.
Protein balls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks, in the fridge for 2-3 weeks or in the freezer for 3-4 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: snacks
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: american
Could something be substituted for the protein powder as that is not something that I keep in my pantry?
Thanks..
Hi Melanie! You can just omit the powder and make the recipe without it, it’ll still work great!