Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe (No Protein Powder)

This Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe is the best of both worlds - super easy and fast to make, loaded with nutrients, and totally delicious. These no-bake peanut butter protein balls are perfect for a post-workout snack or beating the afternoon slump.

These Peanut Butter Protein Balls are an easy no-bake snack made with oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, and peanut butter for a naturally high-protein energy bite, no protein powder required in this simple protein balls recipe. Perfect for a quick post-workout snack or afternoon pick-me-up, these no-bake protein balls come together in minutes with simple pantry ingredients. My whole family loves these little peanut butter balls - they're a staple in our snack bags for sports, workouts, or that 3 PM slump!

Why These Are a High-Protein Snack

• peanut butter = 8g protein per 2 tbsp
• chia = 4-5g per ounce
• flax = plant-based protein
• oats = slow digesting carbs + protein

While many protein ball recipes rely on protein powder, these no bake peanut butter protein balls use whole-food ingredients to naturally increase the protein content without any added powders.

(Looking for more high-protein snack recipes? Check out my Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip, these Deviled Eggs with Bacon, my Egg Cups, or my Protein Smoothie Bowls!

What Makes These Protein Balls Great

• No Bake! These are so easy to make and are a godsend when you want to make a sweet snack but don't want to turn your oven on (these No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies are another winner!).
• High Protein! These protein balls are packed with chia seeds, flax seeds and peanut butter, all loaded with protein.
• Healthy. These are packed with protein and good-for-you ingredients.
• Indulgent. They're super delicious and are a great high-protein snack when you also want something sweet.
• The Perfect Pick Me Up. When I hit that mid-winter slump or need a quick post-workout pick-me-up, these Peanut Butter Protein Balls are my go-to snack for an easy energy boost. My 15-year-old has also been loving this after baseball workouts!

Key Ingredients

• Rolled oats. That means good old-fashioned oats. Rolled oats add fiber and a small amount of plant-based protein to help keep these protein balls filling. It also gives these balls their nice, chewy texture.
• Chia seeds. Chia seeds are a powerhouse on their own, and packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant-based protein, helping to naturally boost the protein content of these no-bake protein balls while keeping you feeling full and satisfied!
• Ground flax seeds. Flaxseed helps bind these protein balls together while also adding additional plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
• Creamy peanut butter. Peanut butter provides most of the protein in this protein balls recipe while helping hold the ingredients together nicely. For best results, try to choose a low-sugar variety here. Ingredient lists with only peanuts and a little bit of salt are best. You can also sub in other nut butters if you have peanut allergies or peanut butter isn't your thing.
• Honey. To give these balls just a little touch of natural sweetness while also helping to bind the ingredients together..
• Chopped dates. Chopped dates add natural sweetness and a quick source of energy, making these peanut butter protein balls perfect for a post-workout snack.
• Chocolate chips and coconut flakes. Because they're GOOD! Mini chocolate chips add a hint of sweetness and make these protein balls taste like a treat!
• Coconut flakes. Adds healthy fats and texture!

Variations

These peanut butter protein balls are easy to customize to your liking. Don't like flax seeds or chia seeds? No problem - just omit them. But if you don't mind them, leave them in as they add extra nutrition and help to keep you feeling full a bit longer. And, if these are too sweet for you, just nix the honey. These are totally customizable, so play around with the ingredients and find what works for you.

How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls

These peanut butter and oatmeal bites are deceptively easy to make - you don't even have to turn on your oven! They come together quickly and use mostly pantry staples. 

1. Add everything to a bowl. Simply add all the ingredients to a large bowl and stir until everything is combined.
2. Refrigerate the peanut butter/oatmeal mixture. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes or so. This makes the mixture much easier to handle.
3. Form the energy balls. After chilling, remove from the fridge and use a small cookie scoop or a spoon to scoop portions of the mixture out and form into small balls. (Mine were about 1 inch in diameter). If the mixture seems dry at this point, add a tablespoon of water, mix, and try rolling again.
4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Place the energy balls all in an airtight container and pull one out anytime you need a little extra oompf in your day.

Expept Tips

• Only use rolled oats in this recipe, not instant or steel cut (instant oats are too powdery for this recipe, and steel oats are too tough).
• Mix in a tablespoon of water if the mixture is too dry to roll at first. This will help the protein balls come together.

How To Store Peanut Butter Protein Balls

This sweet snack will last for about two weeks in the refrigerator, kept in an airtight container. Fair warning: these lasted about 2 days at our house and I'm already ready to make a second batch. You may want to do yourself a favor and double the recipe. Just sayin.

Can You Freeze Protein Balls?

Yes! Pop them into a freezer bag and into the freezer, and they'll last for about 3 months. I love making a big double or triple batch and freezing them, then just pulling them out when I need one.

Peanut Butter Protein Balls (No Protein Powder) FAQs

More High-Protein Snack Recipes

(PS - These also go great with vanilla ice cream. Or so I've heard….)

If you make these No-Bake Peanut Butter And Oatmeal Balls, let me know what you think in the comments! Then tag me on Instagram with a pic!

Recipe