Easy No Bake Protein Balls
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The easiest no bake protein balls on the internet with four different flavors – chocolate peanut butter, tahini chocolate chip, cinnamon raisin and almond joy. Take 10 minutes to whip up a batch of these protein balls and snack healthy all week long!
Who knew one snack could have so many names?! Protein balls, energy bites, just “balls”. . . I’m sure there are even more out there. No matter what you call them, one thing is for sure: they are one of the best snacks to have on hand for easy, healthy snacking!
I know some people love their store-bought protein bars (and I have a few favs too) but I honestly really like making homemade protein balls because I can control what ingredients go into the mix AND they’re way cheaper. Plus, coming up with the different flavor combinations is so fun!
No Food Processor Needed
One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of protein ball recipes call for medjool dates and a food processor. I have a TON of recipes that fit this bill – like my Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls, Homemade Larabars, Pumpkin Pie Larabar Balls, Blueberry Muffin Larabar Balls, etc.
That said, I know not everyone has a food processor so I’m excited to share four different protein ball recipes that you can make without a food processor and without dates!
The cool part about this recipe is that you can use the same basic formula to create FOUR different recipes — just by switching up a couple different ingredients you have a brand new flavor!
Protein Ball + Energy Bite Ingredients:
- Old-fashioned rolled oats – I always use rolled oats for protein balls because during processing they get steamed and flattened/rolled. This makes the texture way better for no bake recipes!
- Nut butter – My one tip for nut butter is to make sure it’s 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. You can use any nut butter you want for the base . . . even a seed butter like sunflower butter or tahini if you’re allergic to nuts.
- Honey – I add a hint of sweetener to my base because, in my opinion, it is the key to balanced flavor! Feel free to use maple syrup if you want these balls to be vegan.
- Protein powder – For these protein balls, I’m using a plant-based, organic protein powder. This obviously majorly increases the protein content, which I’m a huge fan of, but it also brings in some fun flavors like vanilla or chocolate and a little sweetness to the mix. Nuzest is one of my favorite brands. It’s plant-based and has a minimal, clean ingredient list. You can use my code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.
That’s it! That’s your base recipe. I like to add in fun mix-ins to make the flavors really unique, and I’ve included four simple recipes below. Try these first and when you feel comfortable mixing on your own, go for it and get creative!
Protein Balls are Too Dry or Crumbly?
Some protein powders will soak up more liquid than others and some nut butters are drier than others. This is totally normal and it might cause your your protein ball mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. If this happens, just add a little water or almond milk to the protein ball mixture, 1 teaspoon at a time until the mixture is moist enough to form into balls. Just be careful not to add too much liquid.
I love to make a batch of these on the weekend so that I have grab-n-go snacks throughout the week. They’re also perfect for a pre or post-workout snack (or even dessert). I usually eat two a time!
Everything You Need to Make Easy No Bake Protein Balls
Glass Food Storage Container with Silicone Sleeve
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Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set
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OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop, Black/Silver
Buy Now →Want More Protein Balls & Energy Bites?
- Energy Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Cinnamon Raisin Cookie Protein Balls
- Almond Joy Protein Balls
- Vegan Protein Balls
- Tahini Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
- Coconut Protein Balls
- Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bites
- Thin Mint Protein Balls
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
No Bake Protein Balls
Ingredients
Chocolate Peanut Butter
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 scoops, about 50-60 grams chocolate protein powder
- 2 Tablespoons chocolate chips
Almond Joy
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup natural almond butter
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 scoops, about 50-60 grams chocolate protein powder
- 1-2 Tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
Cinnamon Raisin Cookie
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup cashew butter
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 scoops, about 50-60 grams vanilla protein powder
- 2 Tablespoons raisins
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Tahini Chocolate Chip
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup tahini
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 scoops, about 50-60 grams vanilla protein powder
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Chocolate Peanut Butter
- 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.
Almond Joy
- Place oats, almond butter, honey, protein powder and shredded coconut 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.
Cinnamon Raisin Cookie
- Place oats, cashew butter, honey, protein powder, raisins and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Getting the mixture to combine takes a little arm muscle and it may seem a little crumbly 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.
Tahini Chocolate Chip
- Place oats, tahini, 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.
Video
Notes
- If the protein ball mixture seems a little too dry or crumbly, add water or almond milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture forms together.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Made these today with vanilla protein powder, half smooth and half chunky PNB, ground flax seed, chocolate chips and dried sour cherries. Mixture appeared crumbly at first but was just right after a tablespoon or two of almond milk. Ready to boost energy with delicious and nutritious bites!
I’m so pumped to hear these protein balls were a hit, Angie! Thanks so much for making them and I so appreciate the review! It means so much to me 🙂
This is my second time making these and I love how easy they are. I made the chocolate peanut butter version with some dried cherries thrown in. Mine were a little crumbly and I missed the tip about adding in almond milk, so will definitely try that next time. Love to have these for quick snacks!
So glad you enjoyed these, Kara! Definitely add a splash of almond milk if your protein balls turn out a little crumbly next time 🙂
I am wondering if the calorie content is accurate? 1ball = 104 Kcal =104000 calories?
Yes, one protein ball is about 100 calories!
I made the chocolate peanut butter and the almond joy protein balls and they had the whole family eating them up, including my toddler!! So tasty and easy to make! Mine were crumbling at first, until I saw your comment on adding almond milk 😉 turned out so great. An easy, on-the-go snack!
Woo! So glad you and your family have been loving these no bake protein balls, Amber! Thanks so much for trying them out and I really appreciate the review 🙂
Saw these on IG and just had to try! I didn’t have exact ingredients for any of the above, so I made the chocolate peanut butter but used vanilla protein powder, and WOW! These are definitely becoming a new regular ❤️
Woo! So happy these protein balls were a hit even with the substitution. Thanks for the review, Sarah! I really appreciate it!
These are a staple in my household. I have made dozens of batches and my family loves them. So much better than a packaged bar. Thanks for the great recipe.
Ah yay! So glad these protein balls have been a hit, Allison! Thanks for the review 🙂
Morning – I am trying to know how many balls each flavour receipe makes … is it 24 for each flavour ?? or 6 for each flavour … Thank you
Each flavor yields about 24 balls.
These are absolutely delicious! Please keep posting recipes you made my day! <3
So glad this recipe was a hit, Gabriela! Thanks so much for the review 🙂
I tried the Almond joy and they are delicious. I personally will add a little more shredded coconut next time because…. Coconut. But I loved finding a great recipe without dates.Thank you! Now the mission will be not eating all of yummy new snack in my fridge in one sitting.
So glad these protein balls were a hit, Kayla! Thanks so much for the review. It means the world to me!
Love these! Have made them several times and it’s something our entire family enjoys! How long will these keep in the fridge? Thanks so much!
My husband and I were so tired of eating expensive protein bars with questionable ingredients. We found this recipe and I made the chocolate peanut butter protein balls yesterday. These protein balls are amazing! They taste like chocolate peanut butter cups. They are incredibly easy and fast to make. The hardest part is limiting myself to only eating two for a snack! It’s so reassuring to know exactly what I’m feeding my family. Thanks, Brittany for sharing this healthy and tasty recipe! So glad that I found this website.
Yay!! I’m so glad these protein balls were a hit, Patricia! Thanks so much for trying them out and coming back to leave a review. It means the world to me!
Hi, I was wondering how many calories are in the almond joy protein balls?
About 110 calories!