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Peanut Butter Protein Balls (sometimes called bliss balls) are a healthy snack you can stir together in minutes. Instead of protein powder, this recipe uses nourishing real food ingredients.
These no-bake peanut butter energy balls taste like cookie dough. Add any mix-ins you love, like shredded coconut or mini chocolate chips. It’s easy to customize the flavor!
Unlike date energy balls, a food processor is not required. These bite-sized treats are gluten-free and dairy-free and take just minutes to stir together.
Gluten-Free Note
Oats are naturally gluten-free but can be cross-contaminated during the manufacturing process. If necessary, shop for certified gluten-free oats.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples, such as rolled oats, peanut butter, and ground flax seeds. While these ingredients are not as protein-dense as protein powder, they can work together to help you meet your protein goals.
Here’s how they stack up:
- Peanut Butter: 7 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons
- Ground Flax Seeds: 2 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons
- Hemp Hearts: 10 grams of protein per 3 tablespoons
- Rolled Oats: 5 grams of protein per 1/2 cup (dry)
As written, this recipe packs 4 grams of plant-based protein per ball. However, if you want a higher protein ratio, you can customize the recipe to use more hemp hearts and less ground flax seeds.
Prefer to use protein powder?
Try my other Protein Balls recipe, which has three flavors to choose from. They have roughly 6 grams of protein per ball!
How to Make Peanut Butter Energy Balls
This no-bake recipe comes together quickly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
This includes:
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds (or ground chia seeds)
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Stir well to combine the oats and seeds, then add the wet ingredients to help bind the mixture together.
- 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
Stir until the dough sticks together. It should look slightly sticky but not so sticky that it can’t be rolled between your hands. The mixture should hold its shape when pinched between your fingers.
Scoop the dough using a heaping tablespoon or cookie scoop. Then, roll it between your hands to form a ball.
Repeat with the remaining dough, placing the balls on a pan lined with parchment paper as you go.
You can serve these immediately or store them in the fridge for an hour to firm up. Once firm, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Looking for more protein recipes? Try Protein Cookies, Protein Muffins, Protein Waffles, or Protein Banana Pancakes for more ideas.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats (see notes)
- ½ cup all-natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats,flax seeds, hemp hearts, and salt. Stir well, then add in the peanut butter and honey and stir again.
- If the dough feels too sticky to roll into balls, add one more tablespoon of hemp hearts and stir again. The mixture should hold its shape when pinched between your fingers.
- Scoop the dough by heaping tablespoons, and then roll them between your hands to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and place the balls on a pan lined with parchment paper as you go.
- You can serve these right away, or store them in the fridge for an hour to firm up. Once firm, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this peanut butter protein balls recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like them.
Question – what could I use instead of oats? My husband is sensitive to them. Would cooked quinoa work….
Thank you for the recipe and the idea to use hemp hearts and flax for extra protein. I ended up blending everything in my food processor so my 3 year old wouldn’t notice the hemp and they taste fabulous!