This no-bake protein balls recipe is one of my favorite healthy snacks! It's easy to make with simple ingredients like peanut butter, oats, and flax.
When I need an afternoon energy boost, these protein balls are the perfect bite-size snack! Made with peanut butter, honey, and mini chocolate chips, they’re lightly sweet, nutty, and delicious. They’re super satisfying too—oats and ground flaxseed add plenty of fiber, and a couple scoops of protein powder give them a nice protein bump.
They’re similar to the energy balls I’ve shared in the past, but with one key difference: you don’t need a food processor to make them. You can just stir together the ingredients in a bowl before shaping the mixture into balls. So easy!
I always get requests for healthy snack recipes during back-to-school season. If you’re looking for ideas, definitely try these no-bake protein balls. They’re super simple and SO much better than any store-bought bar. I think you’ll love them!
Protein Energy Bites Ingredients
You need 7 basic ingredients to make this protein balls recipe:
- Whole rolled oats – I love their chewy texture in these energy bites. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you need this recipe to be gluten-free.
- Creamy peanut butter – It adds rich, nutty flavor and helps the oats stick together. I always use natural peanut butter when I make this recipe, but if you keep conventional peanut butter on hand, I think it would work here too.
- Ground flaxseed – It helps bind the balls together and adds fiber and healthy fats.
- Honey – For sweetness. Its sticky texture also helps hold the balls together.
- Protein powder – Feel free to use any protein powder you like. I recommend vanilla protein powder or an unflavored one. My go-to is Whole Foods’ Unflavored Pea Protein Powder.
- Vanilla extract – For warm depth of flavor. It makes these energy bites taste like cookie dough!
- Mini chocolate chips – I love sneaking a little chocolate into any healthy snack. 🙂
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recipe Variations
- Use a different nut butter. Substitute almond butter or cashew butter for the peanut butter, or use sunflower seed butter to make this recipe nut-free.
- Skip the chocolate chips. Leave them out entirely, or replace them with chopped dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, or currants.
- Make them vegan. Replace the honey with maple syrup.
How to Make Protein Balls
These no-bake protein balls are super simple to make!
Start by combining the ingredients. Place the oats, peanut butter, flaxseed, honey, protein powder, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Heads up: The mixture will be very thick. If it’s too thick or dry to mix, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, as needed to help it come together.
Next, form the mixture into balls. I like to portion out the dough with a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, then use my hands to roll the scoops into balls.
Finally, chill the energy bites. Place them in a single layer on a large plate or baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator until firm, 1 to 2 hours.
Once the peanut butter energy balls are firm, they’re ready to eat!
How to Store Protein Balls
Store homemade protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
They also freeze well for up to 3 months. I love keeping a stash in the freezer for quick, healthy snacks!
More Healthy Snacks to Try
If you love this peanut butter protein balls recipe, try one of these easy healthy snacks next:
- Energy Balls
- Homemade Granola Bars
- Easy Fruit Dip
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Or any of these 49 Best Healthy Snacks!
No-Bake Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1½ cups whole rolled oats
- 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 scoops protein powder, ¼ cup (I use 365 Organic Pea Protein, Unflavored)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, peanut butter, flax, honey, protein powder, vanilla, and chocolate chips. The mixture will be thick.
- Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the mixture, then use your hands to roll it into balls.
- Chill in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours, or until firm.
- The protein balls keep well in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze well.
Do you think the flaxseeds could be swapped 1-1 ratio to chia seeds? Thanks
Wondering why these need refrigeration if none of the ingredients need it? Wanting to send to my son in a care package…