The Diet Chef

Everyday meals, without everyday calories

  • Home
  • Sweet Cookbook
  • Savory Cookbook
  • Weight Loss Guide
  • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Sweet Cookbook
  • Savory Cookbook
  • Weight Loss Guide
  • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

    Jul 9, 2022 The Diet Chef

    Jump to Recipe

    These chocolate peanut butter protein balls are chewy, chocolatey, and jam-packed with protein. Best of all, you only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare them and there's no baking required!

    A protein ball with a bite out of the front of it with a bunch of protein bites stacked on top of each other.

    Table of Contents

    • The Best Protein Balls
      • Ingredients To Make Protein Balls
        • Customize Your Protein Balls
      • How to Make Protein Balls
        • Step 1: Combining the Ingredients
        • Step 2: Shaping your Protein Balls
        • Step 3: Refrigerate and Set
      • How to Store Protein Balls
        • How To Freeze Protein balls
      • FAQs About This Protein Balls Recipe
        • Are protein balls good for you?
        • What is the purpose of protein balls?
      • Wrapping It All Up
    • More Protein Recipes
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    The Best Protein Balls

    These no bake protein balls are the perfect quick and easy treat to make for a midday energy boost, a pre-workout - or post-workout - snack, or even a speedy breakfast.

    And not only are they a fantastic source of healthy protein, but they're also insanely delicious and so easy to make. These protein balls are made with your favorite chocolate protein powder (or vanilla protein powder), peanut butter, rolled oats, and just a few other simple ingredients.

    Sounds pretty quick + simple right?

    Well, in just 15 minutes, you can make a whole batch of these addictive energy balls and refrigerate - or freeze - them to enjoy whenever you need a little protein boost.

    Peanut butter protein balls on a white table cloth.

    Ingredients To Make Protein Balls

    Again, 5 ingredients are all you need to make this chocolate peanut butter protein balls recipe.

    And there's a good chance you already have everything you need at home since these are all super common pantry staples.

    So, to make this protein balls recipe you'll need:

    • 1 ½ Cup Rolled Oats
    • 1 Cup Peanut Butter (no sugar added)
    • ¼ Cup Honey or Maple Syrup
    • 2 Scoops of Chocolate Protein Powder
    • ¼ Cup Sugar Free Chocolate Chips

    Super simple, right?

    Now, if you want to keep these energy bites as healthy as possible, I suggest using sugar free chocolate chips. I like to use these Lily's sugar free ones, but you can use anything that you want!

    For the maple syrup, I highly recommend making my sugar free maple syrup. Not only is it sugar-free, but it's carb-free and calorie-free too.

    Also, if you have any oats leftover after making this recipe you can always put them to use by making this protein overnight oats recipe next. 

    Oh, and if you're interested in a fat bombs version of these energy bites, I also have a peanut butter cookie dough fat bombs recipe that's just as tasty and it's perfect if you're following a low carb or keto diet.

    A bowl of honey, a bowl of peanut butter, a bowl of protein powder, and a bowl of oats all on a white counter.

    Customize Your Protein Balls

    Alright, so the great thing about this protein balls recipe is that there are a ton of ways to switch it up. Basically the possibilities are endless with how you make 'em, so you really won't ever get tired of them!

    For example, you can swap out the peanut butter with any nut butter of your choice. With that said, almond butter and sunflower seed butter are some of the best high protein options you can try to make these energy bites with.

    Also, you don't have to stick to just chocolate protein powder here. Vanilla protein powder, peanut butter protein powder, or any flavor protein powder would work great in this recipe too.

    And, as for the chocolate chips, feel free to go with any flavor your heart desires. Lily's sells a ton of different sugar free ones - from caramel to white chocolate, all of the ones I've had are awesome!

    A white bowl with chocolate chips, protein powder, and oats in it. Behind that is a bowl of honey and peanut butter.

    How to Make Protein Balls

    So, you can make a batch of about 12 of these protein balls in just three easy steps: mix, scoop, and refrigerate.

    Yup, making these is as easy as that!

    That's basically all there is to it! There's no baking, chopping, or melting involved, so this is the ultimate snack to make when you're busy or aren't in the mood to bake.

    Now, let's not waste any more time and I'll show you how to make energy bites!

    A wooden spoon in a bowl with oats, chocolate protein, and chocolate chips.

    Step 1: Combining the Ingredients

    First, measure out all your ingredients - the rolled oats, natural peanut butter, honey or syrup, protein powder, and chocolate chips.

    Then, mix everything together in a large bowl until fully combined and you have a somewhat compact protein ball mixture.

    I find a rubber spatula gets the job done the quickest, but a spoon, fork, or even clean hands with gloves would work too.

    Peanut butter and honey on top of oats, protein powder, and chocolate chips in a bowl.

    Step 2: Shaping your Protein Balls

    When all the ingredients are fully combined, you can get shaping.

    Use a small cookie scoop - or a regular spoon - to scoop out equal amounts of the peanut butter protein balls and use clean hands to shape each energy bite into a ball.

    Now, if your protein balls somehow won't stick together, you can mix in an extra tablespoon of natural peanut butter until it's sticky enough to shape.

    Then, once that's done, you should end up with around 12 protein balls.

    A bowl of oats, honey, chocolate chips, protein powder, and peanut butter in a white bowl.

    Step 3: Refrigerate and Set

    Finally, transfer your protein balls into an airtight container and refrigerate until they set, around 30 minutes.

    By the way, if you absolutely can't wait to dig into these protein powder energy balls, you can actually have them at room temperature too.

    You don't have to refrigerate them at all, chilling these protein balls in the fridge just makes them firmer.

    However you decide to eat these energy bites, they'll be delicious, so enjoy!

    A bunch of protein balls on top of each other a tablecloth.

    How to Store Protein Balls

    As you know, this energy balls recipe will make about 12 of this protein packed snack. But when I make this recipe, I like to whip up a double batch so I have plenty of energy balls to eat throughout the week!

    I find that having a healthy snack like this on hand makes it convenient to keep me on track. Also, my 2 year old loves 'em too.

    So, don't be afraid to keep a bunch on hand! These no bake peanut butter protein balls will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    How To Freeze Protein balls

    Now, you can also make a huge batch and freeze the rest so you can enjoy them whenever you have a sweet craving.

    If you want to do that, transfer them to a freezer bag, squeeze all the extra air out before storing, and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Then, to eat them, just let them chill at room temperature or until they're soft enough to bite into. 

    A hand holding a energy bite with a bite out of the front of it.

    FAQs About This Protein Balls Recipe

    Are protein balls good for you?

    Generally, yes protein balls can be very good for you. As long as you're eating protein balls that are made with natural healthy ingredients and aren't made with too much sugar or processed add-ins. This recipe is the perfect example of a healthy protein balls recipe. It uses all nutrient-packed ingredients like nut butter, rolled oats, and protein powder.

    What is the purpose of protein balls?

    Protein balls are ideal for healthy snacking and make for a great dessert if you have a sweet tooth. They are a nutritious way to solve sugary snack cravings and give you extra energy. These energy balls are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein to keep you full and satisfied in between meals, improve your workout, or aid in recovery post-workout. Also, they're a popular alternative to the usual protein powder shakes as they deliver all the benefits of your favorite protein powder but in a delicious bite-sized form.

    A bunch of protein balls on a tablecloth.

    Wrapping It All Up

    Well, that's how to make protein balls from scratch!

    This energy balls recipe is probably one of my favorite quick and easy snacks to make whenever I need a boost throughout the day or am craving sweets.

    They're quick & easy to make, incredibly tasty, and just so filling and satisfying.

    I hope you enjoy these protein powder balls as much as I do.

    Be sure to let me know in the comments what you think if you make them! 

    Oh, and for more delicious recipes like this one, be sure to check out my Youtube channel and Instagram page!

    More Protein Recipes

    By the way, if you're looking to add some more protein to your diet or just want some more delicious high protein recipes, I have a ton on the blog that you have to try next!

    Check all of these out:

    • Oreo protein shake
    • Protein mug cake
    • Protein waffles
    • Wendy's Frosty protein shake
    • Protein peanut butter cookies
    Print

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

    A bunch of protein balls on top of each other a tablecloth.
    Print Recipe

    5 from 2 reviews

    These chocolate peanut butter protein balls are chewy, chocolatey, and jam-packed with protein. You only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare them and there's no baking required!

    • Author: The Diet Chef
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 12 balls 1x
    • Category: Snack
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: Protein

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 ½ Cup Rolled Oats

    1 Cup Peanut Butter (Natural no sugar added)

    ¼ Cup Honey or Maple Syrup

    2 Scoops of Chocolate Protein Powder

    ¼ Cup Sugar Free Chocolate Chips

    Instructions

    1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until fully combined. 
    2. Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to make the balls (about 12).
    3. Refrigerate and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 ball
    • Calories: 162
    • Fat: 11
    • Carbohydrates: 9
    • Fiber: 2
    • Protein: 10

    Keywords: Protein balls, Peanut butter protein balls, Protein balls recipe, No bake protein balls, How to make protein balls, Energy protein balls, energy bites, energy bites recipe, how to make energy bites, how to make energy balls, easy protein balls, protein desserts, protein dessert recipes, protein recipes, protein powder recipes, protein balls no bake, protein balls peanut butter, protein balls with protein powder, protein balls for kids, protein balls recipe healthy, protein balls recipe with protein powder, protein balls recipe easy

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me on Instagram @thejoeduff — I can't wait to see what you've made!

     

    « Keto French Toast | Easy Low Carb French Toast FROM SCRATCH In 10 Minutes
    Mahi Mahi Recipe With A Flavorful Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce »

    About The Diet Chef

    Comments

    1. Rach says

      July 10, 2022 at 12:47 am

      Can’t get enough of them in our house!






      Reply
    2. Wendy says

      July 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm

      Turned out perfect!






      Reply
    3. Michele says

      July 17, 2022 at 11:31 am

      Do you like I could use peanut butter powder instead of peanut butter?

      Reply
      • The Diet Chef says

        July 18, 2022 at 4:52 pm

        I'd recommend maybe a mix of eath. If you go straight powder you'll lose a lot of flavor.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Hey there! I'm Joe Duff - The Diet Chef, and I've been creating low carb keto recipes for over 15 years. Initally, I started making these recipes to help myself lose weight - I lost over 75 pounds doing so - but now I make recipes for the entire low carb keto community!
    About The Diet Chef →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    YouTube

    • Subscribe

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Privacy Policy Copyright © 2021 Terms & Conditions