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Peanut Butter Protein Balls Easy No Bake Recipe

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Peanut butter protein balls are a healthy snack that you can make with just 5 simple ingredients. This tasty treat is made with creamy peanut butter, a scoop of protein powder, ground flax seeds, cacao powder, and sweetened with pure maple syrup. It’s that easy. Homemade protein balls are an easy way to make customized snacks with a few extra grams of protein that are great for both kids and adults. They can help curb cravings, keep you feeling fuller for longer, and are perfectly portable for busy days.

This peanut butter energy balls recipe is a powerhouse of flavor, and healthy fats, with no added sugars.

Skip the store-bought snacks and whip up a batch of these delicious and nutritious protein peanut butter balls. 

feature Peanut Butter Protein Balls recipe with cacao

This easy recipe is great for those looking for a lower-carb option because these protein balls without oats are made with simple wholesome ingredients and few carbs.

What You Need to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls

To make these easy no-bake protein balls you need just 5 healthy ingredients. 

  • 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp raw cacao powder, plus more for coating
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1-2 Tbsp water
Peanut Butter Protein Balls ingredients in small bowl. 5 ingredient protein balls

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Ingredient Tips and Substitutions

The beauty of protein powder is its versatility. You can use any type of protein powder. Whether you prefer a vanilla or chocolate protein powder base for your protein balls,  choose one that works for you. Look for options with minimal ingredients and no artificial additives for a cleaner and healthier snack. This is the one that I like: Truvani.

This recipe calls for peanut butter, but feel free to swap in almond butter, or cashew butter. Whichever nut butter you choose, make sure it’s all-natural with just the nuts listed as ingredients.  Skip brands that sneak in added sugars, oils, or salt for a cleaner and healthier base for your protein balls. You can find simple clean organic peanut butter online here: peanut butter.

Make sure to keep your pantry stocked with everything you need to make homemade protein balls anytime and check out my protein balls essentials.

How to Make Peanut Butter Energy Balls

First, add the protein powder and cacao powder to a large bowl. 

raw cacao for chocolate flavor in recipe

Then add the flax seed to the bowl.

ground flaxseed meal in bowl

Add the maple syrup to the mix.

maple syrup in bowl with dry ingredients

Lastly, add the drippy peanut butter to the bowl.

creamy peanut butter in bowl with flax seed and protein powder

For a smooth texture, give everything a good stir with a spoon, or spatula, or mix with clean hands. Another option is to toss the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly add a little bit of water, up to 1-2 Tbsp is plenty. 

The protein ball mixture is too soft and the balls will be easier to form when cold. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill, or 10 minutes in the freezer.

protein ball mixture in large bowl

Roll the Peanut Butter Bliss Balls

Remove the mixture from the fridge, roll it into small balls, and place them on a piece of parchment paper. 

chocolate protein balls made with creamy peanut butter on parchment paper

Once the little balls are formed roll them in a bit of cacao powder to coat. This step is optional but adds a nice touch. 

roll balls in cacao powder and place on parchment paper

Easy 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Skip the store-bought snacks and whip up a batch of these protein-packed peanut butter balls in minutes. This peanut butter protein balls recipe is made with no special equipment, it is incredibly easy (just 5 ingredients!) and customizable to fit your preferences.

how to make protein balls without oats, cacao peanut butter protein bites on plate with creamy peanut butter

They’re perfect for a quick snack, satisfying treat, pre-workout boost, or post-workout snack.

chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls recipe

These protein bites offer a delicious way to curb cravings, stay fuller for longer, and get a dose of protein without added sugars or unnecessary carbs. So ditch the processed snacks and fuel your day with these healthy, homemade protein balls.

stack of Peanut Butter Protein Balls on plate

These chocolate peanut butter protein balls are best enjoyed cold. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy them all week. 

close up bite of Peanut Butter Protein Ball

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Check out these other healthy recipes for protein balls and bites:

feature peanut butter protein balls recipe

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Peanut butter protein balls are a healthy snack. Creamy peanut butter, protein powder, ground flax seeds, cacao powder, and maple syrup.

Ingredients

  • 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp raw cacao powder, plus more for coating
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1-2 Tbsp water

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Mix to combine thoroughly
  3. Place mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill
  4. Form into small balls then roll in cacao powder to coat.

Notes

Store in the fridge, these are best enjoyed cold.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 69Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 4g

nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on products/ingredients used.

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