These no-bake protein peanut butter balls take 10 minutes to mix and roll. They keep in the fridge all week. Two balls have 11.1 g of protein and about 199 calories.
Serving size: 2 balls, each about 1 1/4 inches (3 cm) and 25 g. Makes: 16 balls, 8 servings.
Why These Balls Work
- Protein from whey and peanut butter. 11.1 g per 2 balls.
- Oats for chew. Old-fashioned oats, uncooked, hold everything together.
- No baking. Mix, chill, and roll.
- Easy to portion. Each ball is about 25 g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, dry (81 g)
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (128 g)
- 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder (about 1/2 cup / 60 g)
- 3 tbsp honey (63 g)
- 3 tbsp skim milk (45 ml / 46 g), plus more if needed
- 2 tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips (21 g)
Instructions
- Stir the peanut butter, honey, and milk in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the protein powder and oats. Stir until a thick dough forms.
- If it is too dry to hold together, add milk 1 tsp at a time.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Chill the dough for 15 minutes so it is easier to roll.
- Roll into 16 balls, about 1 heaping tablespoon (25 g) each.
- Store in a covered container in the fridge.
Total dough weight is about 400 g, so each of the 16 balls is about 25 g.
Nutrition Per Serving (2 balls)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 199 | 11.1 g | 19.3 g | 9.8 g | 2.2 g | 10.0 g | 18 mg |
Values are calculated from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) for the ingredients above. Brands vary, so check your labels.
Tips
Storage
Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Variations
- Nut-free: use sunflower seed butter.
- Chocolate: add 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (10 g) and 1 tbsp more milk.
- Crunchy: roll the balls in 2 tbsp crushed peanuts.
For a creamy protein dessert, try our Easy Cottage Cheese Protein Pudding. For more seasonal snack ideas, see our high-protein pumpkin recipes.
FAQ
Do I need to cook the oats?
No. Old-fashioned oats soften in the dough as it chills.
Can I make these without protein powder?
You can replace it with 1/2 cup (40 g) more oats, but protein will drop to about 6 g per 2 balls.
How much protein is in 2 balls?
About 11.1 g of protein and 199 calories, based on USDA data for oats, peanut butter, and whey protein powder.
