Peanut Butter Protein Balls

These peanut butter protein balls are the ultimate no bake snack using just 4 ingredients! 10 grams of protein each and NO added sugar needed. 

Tired of buying store bought protein snacks? Try these protein peanut butter balls. 

I combined two of my favorite protein snacks- protein balls and homemade protein bars. The key feature is using EXTRA peanut butter, which makes these protein balls with peanut butter taste incredibly delicious and satisfying. 

Made with just 4 ingredients, they are easy to make and easy to customize. They take minutes to make and you can store them in the refrigerator for quick grab-and-go snacks.

Ingredients needed

Energy balls are simple creatures that use a handful of ingredients. Ours involve the addition of protein powder that adds extra satiety and flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to make protein balls with peanut butter:

• Rolled oats. Be sure to use certified gluten free oats, if needed. 
• Protein powder. I recommend using a vanilla brown rice protein powder, as it is considerably thicker than other protein powder blends. 
• Peanut butter. Creamy peanut butter, with no added sugar. 
• Maple syrup. Sweetens the protein balls, but also holds them together. You can also use agave nectar or honey. 

How to make peanut butter protein balls

Peanut butter protein balls are easy to make: Just remember to lightly wet your hands before rolling the mixture into balls so they don’t stick to your fingers. Here is the basic idea of making protein peanut butter balls (or skip to the full recipe below): 

• Mix: Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until a thick batter remains. If using chocolate chips, fold them through at the end. 
• Shape: Lightly wet your hands and roll out small balls and place them on a plate lined with parchment paper. 
• Chill: Place the peanut butter protein balls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up. 

Can I substitute the peanut butter?

Swap out the peanut butter for another nut or seed butter. Our favorite options include:

• Almond butter
• Cashew butter
• Tahini
• Sunflower seed butter

Tips to make the best recipe

• If your peanut butter is extra smooth and drippy, you can skip the microwaving step and simply add it straight to the dry ingredients.
• For a nut free option, replace the peanut butter with tahini or sunflower seed butter.
• Fold through up to 1 full cup of your favorite mix-ins, like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or chopped nuts. 

Storage info

What is the best way to store peanut butter protein balls? Here are best practices for protein ball storage:

• Up to 1 week: Store at room temperature in a sealed container. 
• 1 week or more: Protein balls store well in the refrigerator, too! Let them sit at room temperature for several minutes before enjoying.
• 6 months: Place the protein balls in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

More healthy snack recipes to try

• Granola bars
• Oatmeal bars
• Peanut butter energy balls
• Fruit leather
• Keto protein bars

Frequently Asked Questions