If you feel happier after a snack, then keeping a container of Peanut Butter Protein Balls on hand is a sure, easy way to up the quality of your everyday.

peanut butter oatmeal protein balls on a plate

A mix of protein-packed ingredients like peanut butter, protein powder, flaxseeds, and chia seeds, along with a touch of honey for natural sweetness and chocolate chips for good measure, these easy protein balls take fewer than 15 minutes to pull together and don’t require any special equipment.

No food processor, no mixer.

Just you, a bowl, and all the peanut butter you care to lick off your fingers!

peanut butter protein balls with honey and chia seeds on a plate

This high protein ball recipe is lightly adapted from my go-to Energy Balls, with the addition of protein powder.

Like the originals, they are filling and wholesome, but (thanks to the protein powder), they offer more grams of protein per ball.

About Protein Balls

Keeping quick-fix snacks on hand is a sure way to keep hanger at bay.

When your refrigerator or desk are stocked with healthy options like these peanut butter oatmeal protein balls, you’ll be less likely to turn to processed foods or expensive store-bought protein bars (which often have lots of sugar).

low calories peanut butter protein balls stacked on a plate

Dietary Note

Protein balls can be good for you when they are made with healthy ingredients, keep sugar to a minimum, and are enjoyed in moderation.

Yes, this recipe uses high fat ingredients like peanut butter, but it’s healthy fat. Further, fat is important to make the protein balls satisfying.
Other important factors to consider when weighing the health benefits of protein balls is the amount of fiber, protein, and sugar.
Fiber and protein (along with fat) make a snack filling so that you aren’t digging in the pantry again an hour later, still hungry.

Protein balls are the perfect size for munching between meals or to enjoy as a post-workout snack.

TIP!

For a meal-sized bar, check out my Peanut Butter Protein Bars or Vegan Protein Bars.

The Ingredients

Peanut Butter. While drippy, natural style peanut butter may not be the best in baked recipes where it can separate (like these Peanut Butter Protein Cookies), it works wonderfully for no bake protein balls like these.

Substitution Tip!

You can make these protein balls with any nut butter of your choice. For a peanut-free protein bar, try almond butter or cashew butter. For a 100% nut free protein bar, use sunbutter.

healthy peanut butter protein balls for a snack on a plate

Oatmeal. Fiber-rich oats make these peanut butter balls filling and help hold them together.
Flaxseed Meal. This super food is loaded with omega-3s and fiber (more here).

Whole v. Ground Flaxseeds

Flaxseed meal is made of ground whole flaxseeds. Whole flaxseeds can pass through your body undigested, so you miss the benefits. Ground flaxseeds (flaxseed meal) allow your body to absorb the nutrients.

TIP!

Since it contains oils, flaxseed meal can go bad quickly. Store it in the refrigerator for freezer. If it smells rancid or bitter, it has gone bad and needs to be thrown out.

peanut butter protein balls piled on a plate

Chia Seeds. Another super food! These cutie seeds pack a wallop of fiber and omega-3s in a low calorie package.
Vanilla Protein Powder. Adding protein powder is the best, easiest way to create a high-protein snack that’s still reasonably low calorie. You can use any vanilla protein powder you enjoy. (Garden of Life, About Time, Bob’s Red Mill, and Optimum Nutrition are my favorites.)

Market Swap

Craving even more chocolate? You can swap chocolate protein powder for the vanilla or try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls.

Honey. Just 2 tablespoons are all you need for perfectly sweet protein balls. Feel free to add more to taste (you’ll want to add more protein powder or oats if the dough feels too sticky and lose).
Chocolate Chips. Because why settle for just peanut butter when you can have CHOCOLATE peanut butter protein balls? I like the mini chips here, which roll in the balls nicely.

Substitution Tip!

You can replace the chocolate chips with finely chopped pecans, dried fruit, another baking chip of your choice, or simply omit them.

The Directions

peanut butter, flaxseed, chia seeds, honey, oats and chocolate chips in a bowl

Place the ingredients in a mixing bowl.

peanut butter mixed with honey, oats, and protein powder mixed in a bowl

Stir together.

peanut butter protein ball ingredients scooped in a bowl

Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop dough into your palms.

peanut butter protein balls rolled smooth by hands

Then roll into balls and refrigerate to enjoy!

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate protein balls for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
To Freeze. Freeze protein balls for up to 3 months or longer (if they are airtight, you can freeze them practically indefinitely). Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature if you are in a hurry.

Meal Prep Tip

Since protein balls are so freezer friendly, make a double batch and freeze a portion for future busy weeks.

More Protein Packed Snacks

Protein Cookies

Snacks

Protein Balls

10 mins

Smoothies

Strawberry Smoothie

5 mins

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Measuring Spoons. These stay well organized in your drawer thanks to their magnetic feature.
Spatula. Silicone spatula that’s stiff, easy to clean, and exceptionally heat resistant.

My Favorite Mixing Bowls

These thick glass mixing bowls stack easily to minimize storage space, are dishwasher safe, and very durable. I use these just about every day!

Get on AMazon

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought!

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.

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Let the happy snacking begin, forever and ever amen!

FAQs

Do I Have to Use Drippy Peanut Butter?

NOPE! You can use regular peanut butter. Your dough will be dryer, so add additional water as needed. You also can make the peanut butter protein balls with coconut oil (add a few teaspoons of melted coconut oil along with the regular peanut butter).

Do I Need to Refrigerate Protein Balls?

Yes, I recommend storing protein balls in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. They are fine out of the refrigerator for several hours if you’d like to take them on-the-go or pack them in your lunch.

Can You Eat Raw Oats in Energy Balls?

Yes, because the oats in energy balls are not actually raw! Rolled oats are steamed and pressed prior to being packaged, so you don’t need to worry about cooking them first.

Does It Matter What Kind of Protein Powder I Use?

I recommend vanilla protein powder, but beyond that you can use any brand you like. I’ve tested these with both plant-based protein powder and whey protein powder with good results.

How Can I Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls Low Calorie?

Here’s the thing: protein balls are healthy but they are generally not very low calorie. Healthy fats in the peanut butter and flaxseed make these satisfying, filling, and also offer omega-3s. Compared to most protein ball recipes however, this one is fairly low calorie since it uses so little added sugar.

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Healthy peanut butter protein balls that are low calorie and high protein! Easy no bake recipe for post workout, quick snacks and breakfast!

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings balls

Calories 128kcal

Author Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Ingredients

3/4 cup drippy peanut butter or almond butter or sun butter
1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup rolled oats or quick oats; do not use instant oatmeal
1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips or unsweetened shredded coconut or a mix
2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon chia seeds
Water as needed

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, place the peanut butter, protein powder, rolled oats, flaxseeds, chocolate chips, honey, and chia seeds.
With a wooden spoon, sturdy rubber spatula, or your hands, mix the dough together. (I start with a spatula and then switch to my hands.)
Judge the dough’s consistency. Depending on how drippy your peanut butter is and your brand of protein powder, you may need to add water (if it is too dry) or additional protein powder or oats (if it is too wet and sticky). If you need to add water, add it 1 teaspoon at a time. If oats or protein powder, you can add a few teaspoons at a time. The dough should be easy to roll into a ball, similar to a yummy cookie dough. I recommended getting it to where you think it is just right then letting it sit for a few minutes. Sometimes the oats and protein powder will absorb additional moisture, and you will want to adjust as needed so that the balls are not dry.
Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop dough into your palms.
Roll into balls until all dough is gone. If at any point it is clinging to you or seems just a tiny bit too dry, lightly wet your hands. You should have roughly 16 balls.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

TO STORE: Refrigerate protein balls for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
TO FREEZE: Freeze protein balls for up to 3 months or longer (if they are airtight, you can freeze them practically indefinitely). Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature if you are in a hurry.