These chocolate peanut butter protein balls require only 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time. They’re the perfect no bake snack to meal prep for the week.
I love making protein balls as part of my weekly meal prep so I have a quick, on-the-go snack to enjoy throughout the week and these chocolate peanut butter protein balls have been my go-to recipe for years!
They are so easy to make and you only need 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen! Plus, the balls hold together well so you can easily toss a few in your bag for school/work or as a travel snack during road trips for a little treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Gluten-free, grain-free + dairy-free.
The combo of peanut butter + chocolate = chef’s kiss!
Easy to make… you only need 1 bowl, 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time!
It’s the perfect healthy snack to meal prep for the week!
peanut butter – look for a brand with just one or two ingredients (peanuts and salt). Also, try to use peanut butter that’s creamy and drippy. It can be hard to mix when you have a more “solid” or “dry” nut butter, so I recommend finding a runny nut butter. Some of my favorite brands are Wild Friends peanut butter and 365 organic creamy peanut butter.
honey – honey is the glue that binds these protein balls together.
chocolate protein powder – your favorite brand of chocolate protein powder works, but Nuzest is one of my favorite brands. It’s plant-based and has a minimal, clean ingredient list. Plus, the chocolate flavor is delish. You can use my code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.
These chocolate peanut butter protein balls couldn’t get any easier to make! Place oats, peanut butter, honey, protein powder and chocolate chips in a large bowl and stir to combine.
Getting the mixture to combine takes a little arm muscle and it may seem too thick at first, but it will come together as you keep mixing. I used my hands to knead the dough near the end and that seems to help.
Once combined, use a small cookie scoop to scoop and form the dough into balls. Store in a covered container in the fridge or freezer.
Substitutions & Notes
Honey: I haven’t tried it, but maple syrup should work as a substitute, especially if you need or want these to be vegan. Maple syrup is a little thinner than honey so you might need to add some more oats to the mixture to get the balls to hold together better.
Peanut butter: Any nut butter will work for this recipe! You can use almond butter, cashew butter, tahini or sunflower butter.
Protein powder: I prefer the chocolate protein powder as it pairs nicely with the peanut butter and chocolate chips, but feel free to use your favorite brand and flavor of protein powder for this recipe! If you’re looking for a recipe without protein powder you can make these no bake energy balls instead!
Chocolate chips: You could always skip the chocolate chips and add a different mix-in. Some great examples include: dried cranberries, raisins, shredded coconut, crushed nuts, cacao nibs, chia seeds or ground flax seeds.
Additional flavors: Want to add some more flavor to these chocolate peanut butter protein balls? Go for it! The addition of cinnamon or vanilla extract would be delicious!
Tips For Making the Best Protein Balls
Use runny nut butter. Want to make protein balls that are super moist and delicious, rather than dry and crumbly? The secret is to use runny nut butter. These nut butters are smoother and more liquid than thicker nut butters which will help bind the mixture together and add moisture to the balls.
Add a splash of liquid if needed. If your protein balls do end up being too dry or crumble you can add a splash of water or milk to the mixture to help bind the ingredients together and make it easier for rolling into balls!
Use natural nut butter. If you want to make your protein balls as healthy and natural as possible, opt for a natural nut butter that is made with just one or two ingredients (nuts and salt) and doesn’t have any added sugar or preservatives. Trust me, your taste buds (and your body) will thank you.
Use a cookie scoop. Shaping the protein balls is a breeze with a cookie scoop! This handy tool will help you portion out the mixture evenly and create balls that are all the same size.
Store in the fridge or freezer. For the freshest and firmest protein balls, store them in the fridge or freezer. This will help them stay fresh and delicious longer.
How to Store
At room temperature: Protein balls can be stored at room temperature for a few days, but they may become softer and less firm over time. To store them at room temperature, place them in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or in a warm environment.
In the fridge: These protein balls can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. To store them in the fridge, place them in an airtight container. I like using glass storage containers or Stasher bags for storing protein balls.
In the freezer: Store these balls in the freezer for up to 3 months. To store them in the freezer, place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag and seal it tightly. Label the container or bag with the date. When you’re ready to enjoy a protein ball, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
Protein Ball FAQ’s
Why are my protein balls dry or crumbly?
There are a few reasons why your protein balls might be dry or crumbly. One possibility is that you didn’t add enough moisture to the mixture. Be sure to use a nut butter that is smooth and runny, and consider adding a bit of almond milk or water to help bind the mixture together. Another possibility is that you used a protein powder that is too dry or that absorbed too much moisture from the other ingredients. In this case, you might need to adjust the amount of protein powder you use or add a bit more moisture to the mixture.
Are protein balls healthy?
Yes! There is no dairy, flour, refined sugar or artificial ingredients in these protein balls. Plus, one ball is packed with 6 grams of protein each, so they’re definitely healthy in my book!
What is the point of a protein ball?
Protein balls are a convenient and tasty way to get a protein boost and satisfy your snack cravings. They’re perfect for busy individuals who need a quick and portable snack to fuel their bodies or are looking for a dessert that packs a punch, they’re also a great option for those looking to increase their protein intake.
Are protein balls good for weight loss?
When people ask about certain foods or recipes being “healthy” the follow-up question is “will this food help me lose weight”? In general, I don’t think there are foods that should be designated as weight loss foods. Having said that, following a balanced diet with high protein and plenty of fiber generally does help with weight loss and prevent mindless snacking.
What type of protein powder is best to use?
I recommend using a plant-based protein powder with minimal ingredients. I used Sun Warrior Protein powder for this recipe, but I also love Nuzest protein powder. Both don’t have a chalky taste and the ingredient list is minimal. You really can’t taste the protein powder in these cookies at all and they have a great texture! I haven’t tested these protein balls with a whey protein, pea protein or hemp protein blend so I’m not sure if the consistency would change at all. Let me know if you try any of these options in the comments below!
These chocolate peanut butter protein balls require only 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time. They're the perfect no bake snack to meal prep for the week.
Place oats, peanut butter, honey, protein powder and chocolate chips in a large bowl and stir to combine.
Getting the mixture to combine takes a little arm muscle and it may seem too thick at first, but it will come together as you keep mixing. I used my hands to knead the dough near the end and that seems to help.
Once combined, use a small cookie scoop to scoop and form the dough into balls.
Store in a covered container in the fridge or freezer.
Yay! I am so glad that you are loving this recipe, Tj. If you can’t find organic oats in your local grocery story (usually in the organic/all natural section), I would recommend checking Amazon. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
We love this recipe. Fast, easy and we always have these ingredients in the pantry. I recently made these for a family friend who was getting ready to have a chemo treatments and likes to snack more than having meals. He loved these and it made me feel better he was at least getting protein while snacking. Can’t wait to try the coconut protein ball recipe.
I love these balls, I also found them a bit dry though. I might try using slightly less oats next time. If it makes a difference, I used Musashi “high protein” powder, chocolate milk flavour.
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First time making these, Very yummy and super quick and easy to make! Need to find organic oats, because the rest of the ingredients I have are. 🙂
Yay! I am so glad that you are loving this recipe, Tj. If you can’t find organic oats in your local grocery story (usually in the organic/all natural section), I would recommend checking Amazon. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
Love these! How long do they keep in the fridge?
Hi Anna – They should last for 5-7 days in the fridge. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
We love this recipe. Fast, easy and we always have these ingredients in the pantry. I recently made these for a family friend who was getting ready to have a chemo treatments and likes to snack more than having meals. He loved these and it made me feel better he was at least getting protein while snacking. Can’t wait to try the coconut protein ball recipe.
Yay! So glad this recipe has been a hit! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
I love these balls, I also found them a bit dry though. I might try using slightly less oats next time. If it makes a difference, I used Musashi “high protein” powder, chocolate milk flavour.
Hi Pat – sorry to hear you had issues with this recipe. A splash of milk will usually help if this happens again!
I love energy bites and these were so good!!
Yay! So glad to hear you liked them, Sarah! Thank you for leaving a comment and review as well!