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These 3 ingredient protein balls with peanut butter are the ultimate protein snack. Made with protein powder, peanut butter and yogurt, these healthy protein balls come together in a bowl in under 5 minutes.
Ingredients for protein balls
If you like simple healthy recipes, you will love these peanut butter protein balls. And when I say it, I mean it, because this recipe requires just 3 ingredients.
- Protein powder: to make protein balls with protein powder, this recipe uses vanilla flavored whey. Whey can be replaced with casein or vegan protein powder but the dough may require more peanut butter or Greek yogurt to get fixed.
- Peanut butter: for healthier protein powder balls, use natural peanut butter without added sugars, oils or salt. As an alternative, you can also make this recipe with almond butter, cashew butter or hazelnut butter.
- Greek yogurt: this recipe uses nonfat Greek yogurt, but you can swap it out for any other yogurt of your choice. Also plant-based alternatives, such as soy or coconut yogurt will work.
Protein powder to make protein balls
This protein ball recipe uses vanilla flavored whey protein. After trying it many times, I came to the conclusion that whey is the best option. It mixes very well with all other ingredients and has a light taste.
However, if desired, you can also make protein balls with vegan protein powder or casein. But for your balls to come out, you may need to adjust the dough with some more peanut butter or Greek yogurt. The reason is that those types of protein are very absorbent and soak plenty of liquids.
Moving now to the protein powder flavor, my recommendations are vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter or cookie dough flavored powders. Also unflavored protein works, but your protein ball dough will require some extra sweetener.
Vegan protein balls
Making vegan peanut butter protein balls is as easy as a pie. There are only two adaptations that you’ll need to make:
- Replace whey with vegan protein powder, and adjust with some more nut butter or yogurt to consistency.
- Substitute Greek yogurt with plant based alternatives, such as soy, coconut, cashew or almond yogurt.
How to make 3 ingredient protein balls
Making this recipe is incredibly easy, as these peanut butter protein balls come together in one bowl. No need for blending, baking or cooking. But keep in mind that this recipe may require some adaptations, if the dough gets too dry or wet. It comes down to the protein powder used, as whey protein is less absorbent than casein or vegan options.
To make 3 ingredient protein balls, start by combining protein powder, peanut butter and Greek yogurt in a medium bowl. Mix all ingredients until you get a soft dough, first with the help of a fork and then using your hands. Depending on the protein powder that you are using, you may need to adjust with more yogurt or peanut butter if the dough is too dry, or with more protein powder if it is too wet.
Finally, shape some protein balls from the mixture and decorate with chocolate chips, if you desire. Serve directly or store peanut butter protein balls in the fridge for a maximum of 4 days.
Tips for the best protein balls
Here are a couple of tips and tricks that will bring your peanut butter protein balls to the next level!
- For the best result, make this protein balls with whey protein powder.
- When choosing protein powder, opt for vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter or cookie flavored protein powders. And in case you opt for the unflavored option, adjust with a couple tablespoons of granular sweetener to your liking.
- Opt for creamy peanut butter, as it will mix with the protein powder incredibly well.
- Add a pinch of salt to the dough for irresistible protein balls.
- While making the balls, stir some chocolate chips into the mixture and you’ll get cookie dough protein balls!
- Store any leftover in the fridge for a maximum of four days.
More protein powder snacks
- Low calorie protein cookie dough
- Protein lava cake
- Protein oatmeal cookies
- Low calorie protein brownie skillet
- High protein oat bars
3 Ingredient Protein Balls with Peanut Butter
Ingredients
- 70 grams (3/4 cup) vanilla protein powder (whey, see notes*)
- 45 grams (3 tbsp) peanut butter
- 15 grams (1 tbsp) Greek yogurt
Optional Ingredients
- chocolate chips
- granular sweetener (see notes*)
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine protein powder, peanut butter and Greek yogurt. Mix the ingredients until you get a soft dough, first with a fork and then using your hands. Based on the protein powder used, adjust with more yogurt/ peanut butter if the dough is too dry, or with more protein powder if it is too wet (see notes*).
- Shape some protein balls from the mixture, and decorate with chocolate chips, if you desire. Serve directly or keep stored in the fridge for a maximum of 4 days.
Notes
- This recipe uses whey protein powder. If you make protein balls with vegan protein powder or casein, your dough will require more yogurt or peanut butter. Adjust with more yogurt or peanut butter until you get a doughy texture.
- This recipe utilizes flavored protein powder (vanilla, peanut or chocolate flavor), which is already sweet. But if you make this recipe with unflavored protein powder, your protein balls will require 2 to 3 tablespoons of granular sweetener to your liking.
