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    Home » Recipes » Snacks » Peanut Butter Protein Balls (without Oats)

    Peanut Butter Protein Balls (without Oats)

    by Allison · Modified: Jun 21, 2025 · Published: Apr 1, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Trust me when I say that these no bake PB protein balls taste like dessert. In fact, they are kind of like eating peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough. (But I promise they're wholesome and nutritious!) You're welcome. 😉

    Peanut butter protein balls with chocolate chips on a white plate with a blue and tan checkered napkin.

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    • 🌿 Ingredients
    • 📝 Instructions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💭 FAQ
    • 🍳 Recipe

    🌿 Ingredients

    Ingredients for peanut butter protein balls in a glass mixing bowl on a brown wood table.

    Just a few ingredient notes for this recipe:

    • Almond flour - both blanched almond flour and almond meal work well for this recipe
    • Shredded coconut - use unsweetened if possible, or just cut back a little on the maple syrup if you use sweetened
    • Protein powder - I like the Vega Protein Made Simple powders (affiliate link) because there are no added gums, stevia or artificial ingredients
    • Peanut butter - no stir peanut works best, but you can also use natural peanut butter for this recipe (just make sure to fully mix and incorporate any separated oil before using)

    See recipe card below for exact quantities.

    📝 Instructions

    Protein ball batter with chocolate chips in a glass bowl with a purple silicone spatula.

    Step 1: Place all of the ingredients in a medium-large mixing bowl and use a silicone spatula to mix everything really well until incorporated. The "dough" should resemble slightly textured raw cookie dough.

    Chilled protein ball batter in a glass bowl on a brown wood table.

    Step 2: Place the dough in the fridge for about 15 minutes so that it can firm slightly and the dry ingredients can meld with the wet. Important: don't skip this step! It'll make the consistency just right for forming your protein balls.

    Peanut butter protein balls on parchment paper.

    Step 3: Line a flat surface with parchment paper or use a non-stick baking sheet to place your formed balls on while you work. Use your hands to roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the parchment paper or baking sheet.

    Peanut butter protein balls in a glass Tupperware container lined with parchment paper.

    Step 4: Carefully place the balls in a lined container and chill in the fridge for at least one hour. I like to use a separate sheet of parchment paper for each layer in the storage container if necessary, so that the balls don't stick together.

    📖 Variations

    • Chocolate protein balls - replace vanilla protein powder with chocolate protein powder; I love these just as much!
    • Peanut butter oatmeal protein balls - replace shredded coconut with rolled oats (make sure they are certified gluten free oats in the case of Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity)
    • Almond butter protein balls - replace peanut butter with almond butter (or try cashew butter for another delicious variation!)
    • Nut free protein balls - replace almond flour with oat flour, and replace peanut butter with SunButter (add a little extra maple syrup to balance the stronger flavor of the SunButter)

    💭 FAQ

    What ingredients do I need to make peanut butter protein balls?

    The main ingredients you'll need to make PB protein balls are peanut butter, almond or oat flour, protein powder such as vanilla or chocolate, coconut oil and a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup or honey. Optional add-ins are shredded coconut, chocolate chips, cinnamon and a little sea salt.

    Why aren't my protein balls sticking together?

    If your protein ball batter is too dry and not sticking together, you can add a tiny bit of water and mix everything again until it sticks well enough to roll into formed balls.

    What if my protein ball batter is too sticky?

    If your protein ball batter is too wet or sticky, make sure you've let it chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes after you mix everything together. If it is still too sticky to handle, mix a little extra almond meal into the batter and try to roll them into balls again.

    What size should I make my protein balls?

    A good rule of thumb for peanut butter rolled balls or other flavored protein balls is about an inch in diameter. This will allow for easy storage in different kinds of containers and it's a good size for snacking.

    🍳 Recipe

    Peanut butter protein balls with chocolate chips on a white plate.

    Peanut Butter Protein Balls (without Oats)

    Allison Campbell
    5 from 1 rating
    These easy homemade peanut butter protein balls are the perfect anytime treat! They are gluten free, grain free, vegan, and beyond delicious.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Chilling Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Servings: 28 balls
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Calories: 88
    Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup almond flour (see notes)
    • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    • ¼ cup vanilla protein powder make sure it's plant-based for vegan/dairy-free; I used Vega Protein Made Simple
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ cup salted creamy no-stir peanut butter
    • ¼ cup coconut oil no need to melt
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips

    Equipment

    • large mixing bowl
    • silicone spatula
    • storage container
    • parchment paper

    Method
     

    1. Combine: Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and use a silicone spatula to mix very well until incorporated.
      ½ cup almond flour, ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, ¼ cup vanilla protein powder, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ cup salted creamy no-stir peanut butter, ¼ cup coconut oil, ¼ cup maple syrup, ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
    2. Cool: Place the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm slightly. (Don't skip this step!)
    3. Form: Use your hands to form 1-inch balls and place on parchment paper or a non-stick baking sheet.
    4. Chill: Carefully place the balls in a parchment paper-lined container and chill in the fridge for at least one hour. Balls should stay stored in the fridge and will stay good for at least a week. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.2mg

    Notes

    Almond flour: Both blanched almond flour and almond meal work well for this recipe.
    Protein powder: Keep in mind that not all protein powders are created equal and some are sweetened with alternative sweeteners such as stevia which may or may not go well with this recipe. I like the Vega Protein Made Simple powders because there are no added gums, stevia or artificial ingredients.
    Chocolate protein balls: Replace vanilla protein powder with chocolate protein powder.
    Storage: Peanut butter protein balls should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and will stay fresh for at least a week.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Mention @onehappydish or tag #onehappydish!

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    Comments

    1. Tonja Pavlovic

      March 03, 2023 at 11:06 am

      Your site is useful. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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