Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Published on January 10, 2025
Quick Summary
Peanut Butter Protein Balls– these no-bake protein balls are made with oat flour, peanut butter, honey, vanilla, sea salt, protein powder, and dipped in chocolate for a little indulgence! Store in the fridge or freezer so you can have a healthy snack or treat anytime!
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Why You’ll These Peanut Butter Protein Balls
There are countless reasons to love these Peanut Butter Protein Balls.
- They are SO easy to make! There’s no baking required.
- They are made with simple ingredients that I always have in my pantry.
- They’re packed with protein, healthy fats, and are naturally sweetened.
- They make a great healthy treat anytime of the day. Grab a ball on your way out the door in the morning, eat as an afternoon treat, or enjoy for dessert.
The peanut butter filling is easy to whip up and is so satisfying. I like to dip the peanut butter protein balls in chocolate to create an indulgent treat. The smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate coating adds a decadent touch, complementing the hearty, chewy texture of the protein ball’s interior—creating a deliciously indulgent treat that’s both satisfying and nourishing.
Do I dare say they taste better than Reese’s peanut butter cups??? I really think they do:) So instead of reaching for a candy bar, reach for a protein ball!
Whether you’re looking for a quick energy boost or a treat to curb your sweet tooth, these protein balls hit the spot every time.
Store the balls in the fridge or freezer so you always have a healthy treat on hand.
Simple Ingredients
- Old fashioned oats: you are going to blend the oats to create a simple oat flour. If you need the recipe to be gluten-free, make sure you use gluten-free oats.
- Peanut Butter: I like to use natural peanut butter for this recipe. Stir well before using. You want the peanut butter to be drippy so the balls aren’t dry. Of course, you can use a commercial brand like Skippy or Jif.
- Honey: to sweeten the protein balls. If you need to the recipe to be vegan, you can use pure maple syrup.
- Vanilla protein powder– for a protein boost. Use your favorite brand. I like Clean Simple Eat’s Simply Vanilla. Use the code TWOPEAS for a discount.
- Vanilla Extract– just a splash!
- Sea salt– always a kick of salt!
- Chocolate chips: I use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate will work too. Guittard is my favorite brand. For a no added sugar, dairy-free chocolate chip, I love HU chocolate chips. They are so good!
- Coconut oil: a little coconut oil makes the chocolate coating shine and helps the chocolate harden. If you don’t have coconut oil, you can use vegetable oil or shortening.
Ways to Customize Protein Balls
- Nut butters: Instead of using peanut butter, you can use sun butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
- Chia seeds, flaxseed, & hemp hearts: Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, flaxseed meal, or hemp seeds for an extra boost of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. If you add them all, you might need to add a little extra peanut butter and/or honey or maple syrup so the mixture isn’t dry.
- Collagen powder: Instead of protein powder, use unflavored collagen powder.
- Coconut: Stir in a little flaked sweetened or unsweetened coconut.
- Chocolate chips: Stir in mini chocolate chips for an extra dose of chocolate.
- Dried fruit: Add dried cranberries or raisins.
- Omit the chocolate: You don’t HAVE to dip the protein balls in chocolate. You can make plain peanut butter protein balls…but the chocolate is really good:)
How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Prepare the baking sheet. Line a tray or baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Make oat flour. You don’t have to buy oat flour, you can make it at home in about 30 seconds! Just add the oats to a blender or food processor and blend until you have oat flour. SO easy!
- Make the peanut butter mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the oat flour, peanut butter, honey, protein powder, vanilla, and sea salt. Stir with a spatula until well combined.
- Scoop into balls. Use a small cookie scoop, 1 tablespoon, to scoop to peanut butter mixture into balls. Place on prepared tray or sheet. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes or in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate. Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium microwave safe bowl. Place in the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals until smooth.
- Coat with chocolate. Dip the peanut butter balls in melted chocolate and use a spoon to pour some chocolate over the top. Lift and allow excess chocolate to run off.
- Add sea salt. Return to the tray or baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Chill the balls. Refrigerate balls for at least 1 hour to allow the chocolate to set before serving.
Storing & Freezing Tips
- Storing in the Fridge: Once chocolate is set, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, layered with parchment or wax paper, for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: You can also freeze the protein balls. Place in a freezer container, in a single layer, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Energy Ball Recipes
- Monster Cookie Energy Balls
- Chocolate Brownie Protein Balls
- Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- Cinnamon Apple Energy Balls
- Almond Joy Energy Balls
- White Chocolate Raspberry Energy Balls
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Equipment
- Cookie Scoop (This is a good one in lots of sizes)
- Cookie Sheet (I use these gold ones from Williams Sonoma!)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Line a tray or baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Add the oats to a blender and blend until you have oat flour, about 30 seconds.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oat flour, peanut butter, honey, protein powder, vanilla, and sea salt. Stir with a spatula until well combined.
- Use a small cookie scoop, 1 tablespoon, to scoop to peanut butter mixture into balls. Place on prepared tray or sheet. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes or in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium microwave safe bowl. Place in the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals until smooth.
- Dip the peanut butter balls in melted chocolate and use a spoon to pour some chocolate over the top then lift and allow excess chocolate to run off.
- Return to the tray or baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Refrigerate balls for at least 1 hour to allow the chocolate to set before serving. Once chocolate is set, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, layered with parchment or wax paper, for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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What could I use instead of oats? I am celiac and can’t tolerate them. Looks yummy!
You can try almond flour.
I replaced the oat flour with a 50/50 mix of almond and coconut flour turned out great!
Oh good! Thanks for sharing!
Turned out great!
So glad you liked them!
I have pink Himalayan salt, cam I use that instead of sea salt?
Yes!
Delicious Great recipe
Hi! Thanks I love this recipe! Curious what a serving size is for the nutrition facts. Is it one or two balls?
Serving size is an estimate, for one ball.
Best Protein balls I have made yet— thank you for the recipe! The sea salt on top puts it over the top❤️
I am so happy you loved them!
If I skip the food processor and use oat flour—does the measure change or does it stay 3/4 cup for oat flour.
Yes, use the same amount.
Can you use different types of oatmeal?
quick oats will work!
Big hit for a reception for our Pastor and his wife who are moving to another church after 12 years with us ❤️.
Can you substitute the coconut with something else?
You can use a different oil or leave it out. It just helps the chocolate set up.
Your nutritional numbers are off
There can’t be 17g carbs per ball
I have 42. Net carbs for whole batch
Divided by 17 is 2.5 net carbs per ball
Can I make peanut butter with PB powder and use that?
I haven’t tried it.
Would they still hold together if I leave the protein powder out, or do I need to replace with something?
You can add a little more oat flour.
So easy to make and absolutely delicious! These little treats will now be my go-to for my chocolate/peanut butter cravings.
Can I use collagen powder instead of protein power ?
Yes!
Thank you so much for putting the nutrition info with your recipes. I have to watch my potassium intake, and with the info it helps. I also know that chocolate adds potassium, so I sub with dried blueberries or cranberries. So many recipes do not have potassium listed, but yet I know from looking at the ingredients, that potassium should be listed. I truly enjoy all the recipes, I have made from your website.
You are welcome!
Would these hold together if not dipped in chocolate?
Yes!
Hi I was wondering, in the nutritional information, is that per ball or for the entire batch?
Per ball
Delicious and a snack I can feel good about!
YES!
Can you use almond flour instead of oatmeal?
Yes, almond flour is fine, if the mixture is a little dry, you can add a little more peanut butter or honey/maple syrup.