No Bake Protein Balls
Need a no-bake, protein-packed snack for on the go? Look no further than these protein balls made with 100% whole grains! These peanut butter energy bites are full of flavor, protein, and whole grains. Keep them on hand for school day breakfasts or as a snack for fun outings!
Servings: 12 protein balls
Calories: 111kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats old-fashioned or instant
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 scoop whey protein powder Ballerina Farms or similar
- ½ cup *natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Add-ins optional, see notes below
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, chia seeds, protein powder, and salt. Stir well to blend.
- Add peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix with a spoon or spatula until everything starts to come together.
- If the mixture feels too dry, add a little extra peanut butter. Note, the type of peanut butter you use matters. Check out the notes below for tips.
- Fold in any optional add-ins, like mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
- Scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball between your palms. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
- Place the balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- *You can make this with no-stir peanut butter or the type that separates. If you use no-stir peanut butter, they are easier to roll into balls. If you use stir peanut butter, the balls hold up well, but can be harder to shape without crumbling. When I use the healthy, stirring-required peanut butter, I will add an additional ¼ cup of peanut butter. Then, press them into balls, rather than rolling them out.
- Try not to add any additional honey to make it sweeter. They can become quite sticky and difficult to work with when you add more honey.
- You can skip the stirring by tossing the ingredients (other than chocolate chips and other add-ins) in a food processor and pulsing until they're combined. This alters the texture slightly by crushing the oats, so it's up to you to decide which method you prefer.
- If the mixture is too sticky and wet to roll into balls, try adding more oats and protein powder, and/or refrigerate the mixture for a few minutes before shaping it into balls.
- A cookie scoop works very well for portioning out the mixture before you roll it into balls with your hands.