All you need is a few simple ingredients for this quick and healthy recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls.
Protein balls that taste like cookie dough? Count me in! As a mom of two busy toddlers and a four month old, I’m all about healthy snacks on-the-go. Best of all, these No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls taste like cookie dough so my little guys love them, too.
What sets these protein balls apart from the hundreds of thousands of other recipes online? I’m so glad you asked! Two words: oat flour.
No need to buy the store-bought stuff because we’re transforming the old-fashioned oats you already have in your pantry into oat flour with the press of a button. Simply pulse the oats in your food processor until they are a powder-like consistency. Ta-da! Oat flour!
Consider this recipe your ultimate protein ball template. Peanut allergy? No problem! Swap in your nut butter of choice. Want an even healthier version? Ditch the mini chocolate chips in favor of raisins. Let your Flavor Freak Flag Fly (say that ten times fast!).
Here are a few of my favorite combinations:
- Almond butter with dried cranberries
- Cashew butter with raisins
- Peanut butter with toffee bits
Can You Freeze Protein Balls?
Yes! I love to freeze these so I always have a healthy snack to grab-and-go. Store them in an airtight container in your freezer and they’ll last up to two months.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned (rolled) oats (See Kelly’s Note)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, blend the oats until they are a powder-like consistency.
- Add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon and pulse just until combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl then stir in the chocolate chips. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or two spoons, portion out the mixture and roll it into 1-inch balls.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. (See Kelly’s Notes.)
Kelly's Notes:
- Unlike flour, old-fashioned (a.k.a. rolled) oats can be consumed raw. Oats are actually steamed and rolled (hence the name) prior to being packaged, so they actually aren't raw at all!
- To freeze the protein balls, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- For additional protein, add 1 to 2 scoops of your preferred protein powder to the bowl of the food processor (when you add the peanut butter) and continue as directed.
- This recipe can be easily doubled.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
These are the best! I’ve always hated the texture of most protein balls because of the whole oats. Putting them in the food processor is a game changer for sure. I pulse my oats, then add coconut, flaxseed, chips and cinnamon and pulse them all together before adding the rest of the ingredients. Definitely a family favorite. I also love how easy they are to roll into balls, no sticky hands.
Yesssss! I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe, Luann!
Super easy and yummy. Will be making these often. Thanks!
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Maren!
No bake peanut butter protein balls are amazing!
Yay! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed them, Jayne!
What can I use instead of the rolled oats to make this gluten free? Thanks!
Hi there! Old fashioned oats are naturally gluten-free but look for specially marked packages to make sure there hasn’t been any cross-contamination with other ingredients containing gluten :)
These were amazing! I have tried other recipes like this one but they just didn’t seem to have the right texture. These are perfect. Everyone in my family loves them. I doubled the recipe and they were great. I will make these again.
Woohoo! I’m so thrilled to read this, Leanne!
I have made this recipe twice and I like the taste. But I would like to know the calorie and protein count. Where can I find it? Peanut butter is good for you, but also high in calories. Thanks.
I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the recipe, Debra! You can find the estimated nutritional info by clicking on the purple button below the recipe that says ESTIMATED NUTRITION INFORMATION. :)
Super easy, and delicious! I have a friend who made them and she told me where to find this recipe! THANK YOU! Since I am fasting chocolate, I substituted the chocolate chips for butterscotch, SO AMAZING!
Thank you, again!
You are so welcome, Kenni! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe and I love your swap of butterscotch chips!
I need to make these asap!! Will solve a lot of my 24/6 requests for snacks! Do we need to use natural peanut butter?
Hi Herra! You can use whatever peanut butter (or other nut butter!) you prefer. :)
Very good and easy to make! I will definitely double next time. Can these be kept in freezer and pull out for later?
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe! And yes, they freeze really well :)
These are absolutely the best protein balls! I love that they are made with oat flour (I used my Vitamix). I’ll definitely be using this as a base to try different flavor combos… I’m thinking cashew butter + cardamom next!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Heather! Cashew butter and cardamom sounds delicious!
Can you dunk these peanut butter balls in chocolate?
That would be delicious, Kathy!