No Bake Protein Balls
on Mar 19, 2023, Updated Nov 14, 2024
This is the ultimate easy No Bake Energy Balls recipe. Made with just 6 ingredients, these make a great healthy breakfast or snack!
The perfect energy balls
The ultimate protein balls recipe made with just 6 easy ingredients. Made and loved by thousands of readers. These easy energy bites taste like cookie dough, have 5g of protein each, and are so simple to make!
I have made these countless times over the years and as soon as my freezer stash disappears I have to make more. I make these and my homemade protein bars on repeat.
These delicious little bites are perfect as a healthy snack, breakfast, or even dessert to knock out that night time sweet tooth.
Great for having on hand when you need something fast! These became such a hit that I was inspired to make these almond butter energy balls too.
Basic Energy Ball Ingredients
- Protein Powder – for the basic energy ball recipe, I use vanilla protein powder. But any flavor will work.
- Honey – the sticky sweetener needed to help it all stick together. You can substitute maple syrup to make these vegan
- Peanut Butter – I use creamy no stir peanut butter which has just a tiny bit of added sugar in it.
- Salt – just enough to make the salty sweet flavors pop!
- Rolled Oats – Rolled oats are inexpensive and delicious and help these energy balls taste like cookie dough!
- Chocolate Chips – I prefer to use mini chocolate chips so that there is chocolate and crunch in every bite!
How to make Energy Balls
It is so easy to make this recipe. All you need is a rubber spatula and a mixing bowl! These protein balls are made without a food processor.
Step 1: Add the peanut butter, rolled oats, honey, salt, chocolate chips and protein powder to a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Stir with a rubber spatula to combine. I do not recommend using a spoon because the batter is very thick and sticky. It will take a few minutes to mix it all together.
Step 3: Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
Step 4: Use a mini cookie scoop to drop balls of energy bite batter onto the paper. If you do not have a mini cookie scoop, just use spoons. You want balls around 1 inch in size. Roll the energy balls with your hands to form the shape.
Joy’s Tip
I like using a 1.5 tablespoon sized mini cookie scoop to portion out batter. I find it to be the perfect size and makes the process quicker too!
Step 5: Once you have put all of the batter on the baking sheet, place it in the fridge for one hour, or until the energy balls are firm to the touch.
Once set, serve immediately, or store for later! From here you can now remove them from the wax paper and place into a ziploc bag in the freezer. I always have a bag of these on hand for easy snacking.
I love these energy balls because they are easy to make and made with pantry ingredients that I almost always have on hand. No need to run to the store!
Most importantly, they are irresistibly delicious! Honestly, it feels like I’m eating a treat.
Be sure to read the comments below from other readers!
Ways to customize these protein balls
- chia seeds
- ground flax seed
- chopped nuts
- chopped dried fruit
- shredded coconut
- different kind of chocolate chips
- use almond butter or sun butter instead of peanut butter
- substitute chocolate protein powder
Do I have to use protein powder?
No, you do not, but you will need to replace it with something else so that the batter is not too sticky. I suggest using either more rolled oats or oat flour.
How long can you keep energy balls?
When stored in the freezer, these will be good up to 3 months, but I doubt they will last that long in your house! We usually go through a batch every week or two.
More Protein Recipes
- Chocolate Protein Bars
- Protein Overnight Oats
- Mint Chocolate Energy Bites
- Birthday Cake Protein Balls
- Gingerbread Energy Bites
- Chocolate Protein Balls
- Pecan Pie Energy Bites
- Protein Peanut Butter Cups
- Cookies & Cream Protein Balls
- Chocolate Cashew Protein Bars
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Bars
No Bake Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups no stir creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 1/3 cups old fashioned oats, rolled oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the no stir creamy peanut butter, honey, rolled oats, vanilla protein powder, salt, and mini dark chocolate chips to a mixing bowl and use a rubber spatula to mix until the batter is combined
- Use a mini cookie scoop or a spoon to drop energy balls with a spoon onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. They should be around 1 inch in size.
- Roll the energy balls with your hands to form the shape
- Place the cookie sheet with the energy bites on it in the fridge for 1 hour, or until the balls are hardened
- Transfer energy balls to a ziploc bag and store in the fridge for around a week, or the freezer for 2-3 months
Video
Notes
What kind of protein powder should I use?
Just use your favorite protein powder! I used vanilla protein powder in this recipe, but I love chocolate in it too. My personal favorite way to mix things up is to use half vanilla and half chocolate protein powder.How many energy balls does this make?
This makes around 26 energy bites.Are rolled oats the same thing as old fashioned oats?
Yes they are! This is the kind of oats that you want for this recipe.Nutrition
Looking for more protein ball recipes? Be sure to check out these chocolate energy balls!
or these monster cookie protein balls!
for fall you’ve got to try my pumpkin energy balls
Pretty good! I added chocolate protein powder in place of vanilla and it’s yummy.
I love these so much! Such a great easy snack while I breastfeed and my kids love them too!
I loved these as a breastfeeding snack too! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
I make these all the time. They’re a great pick-me-up snack!
Excellent! Taste is far above others we have purchased. Easy recipe. Will definitely make them vs. buying.
These are amazing. My kids love them and I feel good about them eating them! I add in chia seeds, coconut shreds, cranberries, raisins, whatever I have that sounds good in addition to the recipe as is! Thanks so much!
This is my go to protein ball recipe. One time I made the mistake of using a thick cut oat and they were definitely still edible but on the dry side. These are so good and perfect for a before practice snack. I used Bob’s Red Mill Organic Quick Cooking Rolled Oats today and they are perfect!
Any special honey you use?
Any honey! You can also substitute real maple syrup.
I love these and want to make some but don’t have any protein powder right now. Can collagen powder be substituted as the protein?
Collegen is protein powder
These were delicious!! The perfect mix of peanut butter and oats. My previous recipe I used was too heavy on the oats which caused them to be crumbly. These mix together so well. Thank you!!
So glad you enjoyed them Sara!
These energy balls are DEVOURED at our house. They are the best burst of energy and so creamy they melt in your mouth. We absolutely love this recipe! Also, is it 150kcal per ball or for the whole batch?
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! The nutritional information is per protein ball.
so easy to make for my daughter who is gluten and dairy free.