Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Protein Balls
These no-bake protein balls are chewy, just sweet enough, and taste like a cookie that decided to be healthy. Perfect for a quick post-run snack or a 3 p.m. slump when you need something real.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 16-18 balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup rolled oats (90g)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (130g)
- ⅓ cup honey (110g)
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (45g)
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (14g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ cup chocolate chips. Stir with a spatula to distribute evenly.
- Add ½ cup peanut butter, ⅓ cup honey, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until fully combined into a thick, sticky dough with no dry patches. If too dry, add a teaspoon of honey; if too wet, add a tablespoon of oats.
- Check consistency by pinching a bit of mixture between your fingers. It should hold together without crumbling. If it falls apart, stir in more peanut butter or honey. If too sticky, refrigerate the bowl for 10 minutes.
- Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion out about 1 tablespoon of mixture. Roll between your palms into a smooth ball. Lightly wet your hands if the mixture sticks.
- Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper. Place each ball on the sheet, leaving a little space between them. You should get about 16-18 balls.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. For a quicker option, freeze for 15 minutes.
- Transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.
Notes
Use room-temperature peanut butter for easier mixing. Don’t skip the salt—it enhances the peanut butter flavor. Chill the mixture before rolling if it’s too sticky. Wet your hands lightly to prevent sticking. These balls taste even better after a day in the fridge as flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: no-bake protein balls, peanut butter oat balls, healthy snack, energy balls, gluten-free snack, vegan option, easy snack recipe