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This easy oat protein ball recipe is the answer to your cravings for a healthy and delicious snack, anytime hunger strikes. Ditch the store-bought snacks and whip up a batch of delightful homemade protein balls.

Imagine chewy, gluten-free rolled oats bursting with rich peanut butter flavor, studded with pockets of sweet and tangy freeze-dried strawberries. Packed with wholesome goodness, these no-bake energy bites are perfect for busy mornings when you need a quick pick-me-up, after-school attacks when sugary treats beckon, or a pre-workout boost to fuel your fitness goals.

This recipe utilizes protein powder for an added protein punch, keeping you feeling fuller for longer and helping you crush your day. Plus, the beauty lies in its simplicity – no oven required. Just mix a few ingredients together, roll them into bite-sized balls, and chill. In minutes, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious snack ready to conquer your cravings.

This recipe is entirely gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from refined sugars, making it a perfect healthy snack for everyone.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls Ingredients

To make the perfect snack you need to start with wholesome healthy ingredients: 

• 1 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 Tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter 
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla powder (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1-3 Tbsp water (as needed)

Ingredients Tips and Substitutions

​One of the main ingredients in this recipe is the peanut butter. You are free to use different nut butter, like almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for these energy balls. 

Freeze-dried strawberries pack a punch of flavor in these protein balls. Their concentrated sweetness adds a subtle burst of light and fruity notes that perfectly complement the rich peanut butter.

Steering clear of weird additives is key when it comes to protein powder for your protein balls. Look for a powder with a simple ingredient list. Avoid ingredients you can’t pronounce or those with long lists of fillers, gums, artificial sweeteners, or artificial colors.  A clean protein powder lets the taste of your other delicious ingredients shine through. I like this simple organic plant-based protein powder for my different protein ball recipes. 

What Kind of Oats for Protein Balls

The main ingredient and star of the show in this oat protein ball recipe is the oats. Naturally, some may wonder what are the best oats for protein balls. The answer may be more complex than needed, but here is a breakdown: 

The best type of oats for protein balls depends on your priorities and any dietary restrictions you may have. Here’s a breakdown of two popular choices:

• Old-fashioned Oats:  A great all-around choice, offering a good balance of texture and mild flavor. They bind well and create a satisfying chewier texture in protein balls.
• Quick Oats: While they work, they may not provide the same textural contrast as rolled oats. Quick oats tend to absorb more moisture, potentially making your protein balls denser.

Additional factors to consider:

• Gluten-Free: If you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or choose to avoid gluten for any other reason then choose certified gluten-free oats to avoid any gluten contamination.
• Organic: Opt for organic oats if you prefer to avoid pesticides.

Ultimately, the best way to find the perfect oat for your protein balls is to experiment! Try a batch with each kind and see which texture you enjoy the most.

For this no-bake oat protein ball recipe, I am using gluten-free old-fashioned oats. 

How to Make Oat Protein Balls

First, start with the dry ingredients. Add the oats to a large bowl, and then add the flaxseeds.

Next, add the vanilla powder and salt.

Then add the protein powder to the bowl.

Add the freeze-dried strawberries. Don’t worry if they are large, they will break when you roll the balls.

Next, add the raw honey.

Then add the peanut butter.

Use a rubber spatula, wooden spoon, or clean hands to mix the ingredients until fully incorporated. If it feels too dry, add 1-3 Tbsp of water as needed. It should have the consistency of cookie dough.

Then place the mixture into the refrigerator to chill for 1-2 hours, or longer. Chilling the oat ball dough in the fridge helps to firm up the mixture, making it easier to roll and shape into balls without them crumbling. If you roll the oat balls at room temperature, the mixture may be too sticky to handle and form balls, resulting in a more uneven and crumbly final product.

Once your oat ball dough has chilled and firmed up, take it out of the fridge. For perfectly portioned and uniform balls, grab a small cookie scoop and use it to easily divide the mixture.  

Gently roll each scoop into a ball and place them on a piece of parchment paper.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Protein Balls

These delicious oat peanut butter protein balls are full of nutty flavor with a hint of sweet strawberry making them a great snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The balance of natural sweetness, healthy fats, a few extra grams of protein, and healthy complex carbs allows you to enjoy without spiking blood sugar.

These peanut butter energy balls are a great snack to accompany school lunches, or pop in your mouth mid-afternoon to curb that mid-day slump between meals. 

This oat protein ball recipe yields 16 delicious protein balls. Store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze them for longer enjoyment.

If you love this Oat Protein Ball Recipe, make sure to check these out:

• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls
• Chocolate Protein Energy Balls
• Strawberry Protein Balls

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