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These simple and healthy no bake oatmeal protein balls are 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!
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.
What I love about these no bake protein balls is that NO FOOD PROCESSOR is required! These literally could not be easier to make!
How to Make No Bake Protein Balls
STEP 1: MIX ALL INGREDIENTS IN ONE BOWL
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: ROLL INTO BALLS
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: SET IN FRIDGE
Place in a container to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Store in fridge until ready to eat.
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 eating.
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.
Help! My Energy Bites Are Too Dry!
You’ll just need to add a little bit more liquid 1 tablespoon at a time. Every protein powder is slightly different so some are more absorbent than others. Just slowly add your liquid until a sticky but not too wet mixture comes together.
MORE PROTEIN BALL RECIPES
Looking for more protein energy balls recipes? Here are a few of my favorites!
- Chocolate peanut butter pretzel energy balls
- Pumpkin spice oatmeal energy balls
- Tahini and chocolate oatmeal energy balls
- Apple chai energy balls
- Matcha Chocolate Protein Balls
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!
- 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
- 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
- 2–4 tbsp liquid (almond milk, milk, water etc…)
Instructions
- Add oats, protein powder, cinnamon and chia seeds to a large bowl and stir to combine.
- 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.
- 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.
- Place in a container to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- 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.
My batch wouldn’t roll into balls and just disintegrated in my hands. Any ideas??
Do you know how much calories more or less?
Its around 110 calories!
Easy to make and delicious. I used chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla because I think it goes better with PB! I also skipped the cinnamon and raisins.
These are the perfect protein balls. I used 2 tbsp maple syrup instead of honey since none on hand and a 1/4 cup of Lily’s chocolate chips. They have the best texture, taste, and are perfect. This recipe is a keeper for sure. Thank you!
These are fabulous! I’m pregnant and trying to get enough protein is tricky for me. I was on the search for protein bites that actually had added protein, not just from the nut butter used, and a lot less sweetener than other recipes I’ve seen. These did the trick! I made a couple small changes; used unflavored whey protein, boosted cinnamon to 1 tsp, pulsed the oats a few seconds to get a finer grind, and subbed 1/4 ground flax seed for 1/4 cup of the oats. Added mini dark chocolate chips, yum! They are perfect, and so delicious! Will be enjoying these the rest of my pregnancy and adding to my “boobie bites” rotation to support lactation, with the added flax. Thanks for a great recipe!
These were so good! I also used chocolate protein powder and a few tbsp of instant coffee.
Had no whey powder – used chocolate instant breakfast powdered mix packet – more protein and less sugar. WINNER substitution. We had 10″ snow this weekend so popping out to the grocery was not an option. Yummy energy boost between shoveling and sledding.
These are wonderful. As close as I can figure I got fourteen balls from this batch and I made exactly as written, therefore I believe each ball is in neighborhood of 110 calories
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.
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!