This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure and privacy policy.
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.
A great low FODMAP recipe (with maple)- quick and easy to make to take to a “bring a plate” function too. Made with pure peanut butter (just crushed nuts) it is really healthy.
Good base recipe! I can’t have chocolate so appreciated it didn’t rely on chocolate for sweet. I made it in a double bath with half natural peanut butter and half of costco almond/cashew butter with seeds in it. I added some chopped pecans to fill spot of hemp hearts I didn’t have. Used maple syrup. Once done mixing it needed a bit more moisture , so i added a tbsp of smooth kraft peanut butter from my baking stash and I stirred Ina couple small handfuls of rice krispys for texture. They taste a lot like peanut butter rice krispy balls without all the added sugars! I’m I’m my progress not perfect Era, so I know the rice krispys and kraft tbs peanut butter may not be as natural as everyone wants but it’s tricking me into thinking I’m having. Dessert;)
So simple and so delicious
I like keeping protein balls around for when I have a craving for something sweet, but sometimes I just don’t want to drag out the food processor or blender. I like that this recipe is so simple to do in a mixing bowl. I used maple syrup as the sweetner. And peanut butter anything is always popular in my house. These protein balls are yummy!
I make these all the time! I’ve used chia seeds in place of the hemp hearts. Also add mini chocolate chips sometimes.
Love your idea of the mini chips. I’m going to add some next time!
Would it be ok to add vegan protein powder to this recipe? If so, how much?
these are DELICIOUS! my 8 yr old also loves them too (and its a fun recipe to make with kids). just made a new batch where we replaced half of the oats with brown rice crispies and the added crunch is great.
This is a great post work out snack! My dog really likes them too! Lol
My daughter is four and already a definite foodie. She ate one of these protein balls and patted me on the shoulder saying: “You’ve done it, Mom.” These are good!”
Thank you, Megan. You’ve done it again!
What would be the measurements if using pbfit protien powder?