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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.
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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.
Excellent and SOOOOO easy! With chocolate chips, they taste JUST like Perfect Bars, but healthier!
I used peanut butter powder, made an 1/2 cup of that and used it as a peanut butter substitute. I also added dried cherries and dark chocolate chips. They are delicious! Might also add pepita seeds next time…
I’m thinking about adding brewer’s yeast to this recipe to turn these into lactation protein balls. Any thoughts on how much yeast to add?
These are great! I also made a version with sunflower seed butter and added shredded coconut…amazing!
I tried it with chia, ginder power, dates, coconut oil, dark chocolate, carcuma, black pepper,pepper ment, sesame seeds, organic oaks and almond butter. I did not added honey because I am diabetic. But I separate a some to added semisweet chocolate for my dauther. And she told me today that it was the perfect breakfast.
I love peanut butter protein balls! I like to add dried, unsweetened coconut to mine. 🙂
I made these this morning and they’re already half gone! They are soooooo good. Definitely remind me of cookie dough! I think next time I’ll add a few mini chocolate chips to half the batch for a treat.
I saw this post last night, did a mental inventory, realized I had all of the ingredients and sprinted to the kitchen to make them. It was a bit late so I didn’t try them until this morning and they are oh-so perfect! I can see how they would be a great snack option, but I had 3 for breakfast 😊. So pleased with this recipe!
Hi Megan! I ran out of hemp hearts so can you use chia seeds instead?
Sure! They’ll just add a little extra crunch if you use whole ones.
Could I sub instant oats?
Yes, I would think so!