Peanut Butter Protein Balls (Energy Balls)
Posted Jul 16, 2021, Updated Feb 26, 2024
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These peanut butter protein balls are made in one bowl in 10 minutes with 8 nutritious ingredients. Peanut butter energy balls are a healthy meal prep snack that freezes well so you can always have them on hand when hunger strikes!
I just did a “purge” of our pantry and got rid of any snack foods with artificial dyes, processed ingredients, etc. My kids were very nervous about the process, until I made them a bunch of delicious, homemade snacks that they absolutely love – like these peanut butter protein balls, kettle corn, date energy balls, baked kale chips, etc.
This recipe is one of my favorites because they are made in 10 minutes with 8 nutritious ingredients (including oatmeal, coconut, & flaxseed). Peanut butter energy balls are a healthy meal prep snack that freezes well so you can always have them on hand when hunger strikes (which in our house, is every 5 minutes).
Peanut Butter Protein Balls: Ingredients & Substituions
Let’s discuss the ingredients in this recipe, as well as possible substitutions.
- Creamy peanut butter. Any nut or seed butter can be used in this recipe, you can also use crunchy if you like little bits of peanuts in your protein balls.
- Honey. any liquid sweetener can be used in place of honey if desired (and to make them vegan). I suggest maple syrup as a great alternative.
- Old-fashioned oats. Quick-cooking oats can be used as well.
- Shredded coconut. I prefer to use unsweetened coconut so there are no added sugars. If you don’t prefer coconut you can omit it all together and replace it with and additional 1/2 cup oats.
- Flaxseed. Almond meal can be used in place of flaxseed if you don’t have any on hand, or it can simply be omitted.
- Mix-ins. We love adding mini chocolate chips to these peanut butter energy balls because there’s no better combination than chocolate and peanut butter! I’ll discuss more mix-in options later.
How to Make Peanut Butter Energy Balls
In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, honey and vanilla. Stir to combine.
Add oats, coconut, flaxseed, sea salt, and cinnamon and stir until combined.
Add mini chocolate chips (or preferred mix-ins) and stir until evenly distributed.
Mix-in suggestions
Here are some mix-ins that taste great in these oatmeal peanut butter balls!
- Baking chips. dark or milk chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon chips, etc.
- Nuts. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc. Make sure they are chopped into small pieces.
- Coconut. You can add more shredded unsweetened coconut! Also, rolling the peanut butter protein balls in coconut to coat the outside is delicious!
- Dried fruit. Raisins, cranberries, dried cherries, etc. are all delicious in these lactation cookies.
- Protein powder. If you’d like to increase the protein in this recipe add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the mix (and decrease the oats by the same amount). Unflavored collagen protein won’t change the flavor of the balls, or you can try vanilla or even chocolate.
Next, use a 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon to portion out the mixture and roll it into balls.
Then, put the peanut butter protein balls in an airtight container and chill for 30-60 minutes. We prefer to eat them cold, they even taste great frozen!
Store/Freeze
Store these peanut butter energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe FAQs
These peanut butter protein balls are made with nutritious ingredients (oats, flaxseed, peanut butter, coconut, etc.) and are a good source of protein, fiber and healthy fats.
These peanut butter energy balls last for 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 2 months in the freezer.
I suggest refrigerating these peanut butter protein balls so they stay fresh. I prefer eating them cold!
1 TBS of peanut butter has about 4 g protein. Each one of these balls has 5 g of protein!
Yes. Raw oats are safe to eat in any recipe, including these energy balls.
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Peanut Butter Protein Balls (Peanut Butter Energy Balls)
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup shredded coconut unsweetened
- 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips or other mix-ins.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Add oats, coconut, flaxseed, sea salt, and cinnamon and stir until combined.
- Add mini chocolate chips (or preferred mix-ins) and stir until evenly distributed.
- Use a 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon to portion out the mixture and roll it into balls.
- Put the balls in an airtight container and chill for 30-60 minutes. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Creamy peanut butter. Any nut or seed butter can be used in this recipe, you can also use crunchy if you like little bits of peanuts in your protein balls.
- Honey. any liquid sweetener can be used in place of honey if desired (and to make them vegan). I suggest maple syrup as a great alternative.
- Old-fashioned oats. Quick-cooking oats can be used as well.
- Shredded coconut. I prefer to use unsweetened coconut so there are no added sugars. If you don’t prefer coconut you can omit it all together and replace it with and additional 1/2 cup oats.
- Flaxseed. Almond meal can be used in place of flaxseed if you don’t have any on hand, or it can simply be omitted.
- Mix-ins. We love adding mini chocolate chips to these peanut butter energy balls because there’s no better combination than chocolate and peanut butter! Here are some mix-in suggestions:
- Baking chips. dark or milk chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon chips, etc.
- Nuts. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc. Make sure they are chopped into small pieces.
- Coconut. You can add more shredded unsweetened coconut! Also, rolling the peanut butter protein balls in coconut to coat the outside is delicious!
- Dried fruit. Raisins, cranberries, dried cherries, etc. are all delicious in these lactation cookies.
- Protein powder. If you’d like to increase the protein in this recipe add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the mix (and decrease the oats by the same amount). Unflavored collagen protein won’t change the flavor of the balls, or you can try vanilla or even chocolate.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These were easy to make and perfect for a quick, healthy snack, and for my young grandchildren.
Ok…hear me out…I made this recipe tonight using no coconut and with hot honey and chile flavored dark chocolate from Lindt. I did need a little something to absorb a little moisture so I used a bit more flaxseed but not enough to even note. Delicious!! Thank you!