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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!
These 5-star protein balls have been a staple on the blog since 2014. This post was updated in January 2025 with added details and pictures. Read on for more!
Table of Contents
- The BEST Protein Balls!
- What You Need to Make Protein Balls
- How to Make No Bake Protein Balls
- –>YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
- How Long do No Bake Protein Balls Last?
- How Much Protein is in these Energy Balls?
- Can I Make these Vegan?
- Are These No Bake Protein Balls Portable?
- Can I Make These Energy Balls Nut Free?
- Help! My Energy Bites Are Too Dry!
- MORE PROTEIN BALL RECIPES:
- No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Energy Balls Recipe
The BEST Protein Balls!
No really, these are actually the best. So what makes these the best energy ball recipe? Hear me out:
No Bake. That’s right! No baking is required. Better yet not heavy duty kitchen utensils are required. Just a bowl and mixing spoon!
High in protein. There is roughly ~5 grams of protein per ball and 100 calories. I typically eat 2 at a time so about 10 grams of protein. This is a great bite-sized option for upping your protein.
Easily customizable. Feel free to get creative with the mix-ins! Raisins, chocolate chips, craisins, nuts etc… are all great!
60+ 5-Star Reviews. Don’t just trust me. These protein balls have 60+ 5 star reviews!
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.
Lee says:
“I tried these and they are LIFE CHANGING! These are so tasty, and so filling. I didn’t add any add ins, and they taste so much like the peanut butter rice crispie treats my mom used to make me as a kid. Definitely going to be making these again.”
–>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?
There is roughly ~5 grams of protein per ball. 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
- Cottage cheese cookie dough 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.
Notes
Note: The amount of protein is just an estimate. It may fluctuate based on the type of protein powder used and the number of balls you make.
Is there a way to add banana or make bars out this recipe
you could certainly add banana in place of some of the liquid and definitely make them into bars. They won’t last as long with the banana but store them in the fridge and you should get a good week out of them! Enjoy.
Thanks for the tips. I’m going to try this tonight!
Enjoy!
any sub for protein powder?
oat flour is a good substitute!
I will be attempting these very soon, as time permits – love the idea.
In other recipes, I substitute the following for whey/protein powder: finely milled millet, barley and quinoa seeds (plus chia and flax and whatever else is lurking in the dark recesses of my cupboards).
In the Asian country where I live, goji berries are cheap – about $20 US a kilo from the street stalls. So I shall use those in the balls, along with crushed walnuts and almonds. Thanks so much you guys.
That sounds, lovely! Enjoy!
First time I have seen this recipe using pumpkin and I can’t wait to try it out!
Hope you enjoy!
Can I use steel cut oats instead?
No I wouldn’t recommend it. Steel-cut oats are too firm for this recipe!
please a word of caution:
transporting these in the presence of other people, be mindful of the peanut allergy hazard.
exposure can be deadly for anyone allergic to peanut products and especially children.
it is not a “PC” preference issue, just recently a child died within 1 hour of being exposed to peanut butter that was in another child’s food .
Families with a child who is allergic to peanut products have reliable caused to be alarmed because It is their child who is at grave risk in an uncontrolled setting like any mass transit traveling.
thank you for considering caution
Made these for the first time today after looking forever for a recipe I liked. They are so good and I’m surprised at how well they’re sticking together! They will be perfect for grabbing when I need something in my stomach before the gym or even taking to the beach!
I would like to know what kind of peanut butter people are using, I want to make these as healthy as possible and don’t want to use like Jiffy, I would like to use fresh ground peanuts or almonds from Whole Foods, I know there is less oil, so will it work? Thanks
I use all natural peanut butter, no sugar, salt or oil added. I’d go with that since it’s the healthiest option and the recipe will turn out the best.
can pb fit work with this recipe
wouldn’t recommend it!
Fantastic! I used whey protein from TPW, and it came out very nice.
If youโd like to try it, you can claim a free pack of whey protein by following this link:
https://www.theproteinworks.com/referral-program/OTExODdqMnQ=/
How many calories would you think per 100 ball?