balls/bites gluten-free raw snacks

No Bake Oatmeal Protein Balls Recipe

February 23, 2023

This simple and healthy no bake oatmeal protein balls recipe is perfect for an easy snack on-the-go! With rolled oats, protein powder, peanut butter and a touch of honey, these no-bake protein balls recipe will keep you satisfied for hours!

This simple and healthy little no bake oatmeal protein energy balls recipe is perfect for easy snacking on-the-go! With rolled oats, protein powder, peanut butter and a touch of honey, these energy balls will keep you satisfied for hours!

I cannot accept the idea that someone could NOT like energy bites. Unless they’re one of those annoying people who “doesn’t like healthy food” (we should have a chat), the only reason I can think of for why someone might not love protein balls is because they have yet to find their flavor combo.

This is the reason why I am always trying to come up with new, creative flavors. From almond joy, to gingerbread and of course those blueberry muffin energy balls, I am absolutely convinced that there is a flavor and taste out there for everyone.

The other week my friend Cat was over and the topic of energy balls came up. Obviously. Because when am I not chatting about energy balls? Like C (my C, not Cat) Cat is not a big chocolate fan. It took some digging but it turns out that oatmeal raisin is her jam. So I set out to convince another being of the world that energy balls are gods gift to the healthy snacking earth.

I’ve since made this recipe twice. Once with Oatmeal Raisin, and once with Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and both are BOMB.

I don’t discriminate between raisin lovers and chocolate lovers. 

But I do discriminate between those who love protein balls recipes and those who claim to not like them. I prefer to pretend the latter just don’t exist! Life just makes more sense that way…

What You Need to Make Protein Balls

This protein balls recipe is fairly simple and uses a lot of ingredients you likely have around your house:

  • Rolled Oats – feel free to use certified gluten-free oats if necessary
  • Protein Powder – I personally find whey works best but you can use plant-based protein powders if you prefer. Vanilla protein powder is ideal but you could also sub with a different flavor.
  • Cinnamon – not essential but I prefer adding it!
  • Chia Seeds – do not SKIP! The only alternative would be ground flax seed. This is essential to get the protein balls to stay together and are also a great source of fiber
  • Peanut Butter – or other nut butter such as almond butter. Ideally natural and without added sugar and oil.
  • Raw Honey – adds sweetness and helps this protein balls recipe stick together
  • Vanilla Extract – for flavor
  • Add- ins – mini chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries etc…
  • Liquid – will depend on your protein powder how much liquid you add but you can use any variation of non-dairy milk or water. Keep adding until you get the desired texture.

How to Make No Bake Protein Balls

STEP 1: Add oats, protein powder, cinnamon and chia seeds to a large mixing bowl and stir. Add in peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Add in raisins (or preferred add-in). Mixture should be slightly sticky but still crumbly.

STEP 2: Slowly add in liquid 1 tablespoon at a time and using hands (get dirty!) combine until it comes together in a sticky ball that holds together. If mixture is too dry, add in more liquid but not so much that it won’t hold shape. Roll into balls using hands. Roughly a tablespoon each.

STEP 3: Place in a container to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Store in fridge until ready to eat.

This simple and healthy little no bake oatmeal protein energy balls recipe is perfect for easy snacking on-the-go! With rolled oats, protein powder, peanut butter and a touch of honey, these energy balls will keep you satisfied for hours!

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How Long do No Bake Protein Balls Last?

These peanut butter protein balls will last in the fridge for up to two weeks. Alternatively you can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months and pull as many as you want out roughly 30 minutes before.

How Much Protein is in these Energy Balls?

This will depend entirely on which protein powder you are using. To calculate the correct amount, determine how much protein in 2 scoops (or 1/2 cup) and divide it by the number of protein balls you made. Note: There is also some protein in the other ingredients so your amount may actually be slightly higher.

Likewise – I do not calculate nutrition facts on my recipes. You’re welcome to enter the ingredients into an online calculator if you’re looking for this information.

Can I Make these Vegan?

Yes! To make these protein balls vegan you can replace your whey protein powder with plant-based protein and the honey with brown rice syrup. DO NOT use maple syrup. It is not sticky enough to help the protein balls keep their shape.

Are These No Bake Protein Balls Portable?

Yes but I’d recommend eating them within a few hours of removing from the fridge. I’d recommend storing them in a hard glass container so that they don’t get squished in a ziploc of bag.

Can I Make These Energy Balls Nut Free?

Yes you most definitely can. Just replace the peanut butter with a seed butter like sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter.

MORE PROTEIN BALL RECIPES

Looking for more protein energy balls recipes? Here are a few of my favorites!

Print

No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Energy Balls

This simple and healthy no-bake oatmeal protein energy balls recipe is perfect for easy snacking on-the-go! With rolled oats, protein powder, peanut butter and a touch of honey, these energy balls will keep you satisfied for hours!

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 20-24 balls (depends on size) 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Raw
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder (about 2 scoops)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter (or any nut butter)*
  • 3 tbsp raw honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup raisins, chocolate chips, craisins or preferred add-in
  • 24 tbsp liquid (almond milk, milk, water etc…)

Instructions

  1. Add oats, protein powder, cinnamon and chia seeds to a large bowl and stir to combine.
  2. Add in peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
  3. Add in raisins (or preferred add-in). Mixture should be slightly sticky but still crumbly.
  4. Slowly add in liquid 1 tablespoon at a time and using hands (get dirty!) combine until it comes together in a sticky ball that holds together. If mixture is too dry, add in more liquid but not so much that it won’t hold shape.
  5. Roll into balls using hands.
  6. Place in a container to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Store in fridge until ready to eat.

*Make sure it is drippy. If not you may need to add in extra liquid at the end.

Keywords: energy balls, no-bake energy balls, oatmeal energy balls, protein energy balls, protein bites, protein balls

This simple and healthy little no bake oatmeal protein energy balls recipe is perfect for easy snacking on-the-go! With rolled oats, protein powder, peanut butter and a touch of honey, these energy balls will keep you satisfied for hours!

  • Reply
    Shorty
    February 14, 2021 at 11:52 am

    I stumbled across this recipe a month or so ago. These energy balls have been the main part of my breakfast. I make one batch a week. I eat two balls and two hard boiled eggs for breakfast. Best recipe ever. Sometimes, I even switch it up with flaxseed instead of chia.

  • Reply
    Nicole
    February 9, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    Delicious and exactly what I was looking for in a protein bite.
    For all the people asking about the nutritional information, why not use an app like MyFitnessPal and get the info yourself? Especially if you’re making any adaptations/changes to the recipe. It’s very user friendly and then you can have these bites in your recipes to hit add a ball or two to your food intake for the day. Easy!

  • Reply
    Brandi Keller
    February 3, 2021 at 1:40 pm

    Good for when I want a sweet treat without “breaking the bank” on macros. I used natural almond butter so the flavor was not as sweet as if I would have used peanut butter. I added some sugar free chocolate drizzle over the remainder of the batch and this solved the problem for me.

  • Reply
    KayKay
    January 26, 2021 at 7:11 pm

    Would love to see feedback on reviews that have asked questions. I, too, would like nutritional information as I am diabetic and have chronic kidney disease and would like this info to include in my daily plans. Following up with answers to questions would be great.

  • Reply
    kristen
    January 19, 2021 at 11:04 am

    Do you know how many carbs are in 1 ball?

  • Reply
    bistro sk
    January 2, 2021 at 10:53 am

    What a tasty dish!!!. Thanks for sharing. I think your dish is very delicious. I will make this recipe for my family and my friend. I hope you have more recipe like this.

  • Reply
    RUTH BLOESL
    November 1, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    what ends up being the nutritional content of each ball if you use tablespoon for each ball?

    • Reply
      Annie
      January 21, 2021 at 8:35 am

      Love this recipe , any idea of calories content please

  • Reply
    Maria
    October 26, 2020 at 5:48 pm

    I loved this recipe. I actually doubled the chia seeds and added coconut instead of chocolate chips. It worked great!

  • Reply
    phx
    October 24, 2020 at 10:42 am

    So delicious and great. I like your recipe. Both delicious and good for health. I did it yesterday for my son. My son loves this dish. He ate it all. Your recipe works. I want to add more eggs to the recipe, is that good? How do you think?

  • Reply
    Cole Beasley
    May 13, 2020 at 10:58 am

    I am a fan of no-bake meals and I cannot just let this one slip by. A surprisingly delicious mix of raisins, chocolate chips and peanut butter and it’s perfect for my breakfast. I can prepare it by Sunday and have something ready to eat before or after daily workout.

  • Reply
    Jordan Lacey
    May 6, 2020 at 11:08 pm

    If i’m going to like an energy ball recipe I need something without nuts (not necessarily because I’m allergic but I just can’t stand the taste and smell – makes me want to throw up), any good ideas?

    • Reply
      Janet
      November 24, 2020 at 2:16 pm

      Jordan Lacey, You could try sunflower seed butter.

  • Reply
    Thomas
    February 14, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    Awesome! Love your recipe, will try making it this weekend, hoping to enjoy the wonderful cake. Thanks for sharing

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