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These no bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls are made with just 3 ingredients and pack over 12 grams of protein each. Chewy, filling and so delicious, they are perfect as a post-workout snack or any time of the day.
Along with homemade protein bars, chocolate protein balls and no bake protein cookies, these protein balls with peanut butter rank as one of my favorite snacks. I usually pack a couple in my gym bag, so that I can eat them straight after working out and reach home without feeling too ravenous.
I’ve been a heavy snacker ever since childhood. When going out, my mum used to always carry in her bag granola bars and some fruit. This way, little Matteo could stay quiet without wanting to stop at every grocery store to buy foods. Well, in reality it was not all about me. She’s worse than me, and when her sugar levels drop even slightly, she becomes dangerous. In the end, I’m her son.
Growing up, I ditched store-bought snack bars for homemade alternatives, such as these protein peanut butter balls or my protein granola bars. But aside from that, very little has change and my snacking obsession has remained. That’s why I love this recipe.
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy. You only need 3 ingredients, no oats, no flour and no sugar. They come together in minutes straight in a bowl, without the need for a food processor or fancy equipment. No baking!
- Healthy and macro-friendly. Low carb, vegan, gluten-free and grain-free, each balls is loaded with over 12 grams of protein. Plus, they’re rich in healthy fats and fibers.
- Tasty and satisfying. These peanut butter balls with protein powder taste much better than the ones you buy, and have better nutritional values. They’re sweet and flavorful, not chalky or gritty and with no artificial aftertaste.
- Customizable and versatile. From chocolate chips to powdered peanut butter, the ways to make macro bites are as endless as the way to eat them. They are great pre- and post-workout, as a mid-morning snack or as an afternoon pick-me-up. Oh, and perfect to satisfy your late night cravings.
Ingredients
This recipe for protein balls with protein powder is very simple, it only requires 3 pantry staples. Protein powder, peanut butter and little maple syrup is all you need, but there are some important tips you should keep in mind. Read further for all details, quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom.
- Protein Powder. This recipe works best with whey protein or a whey-casein blend, as they mix well and create a smooth, dough-like consistency. Plant-based protein and casein also work but may require a little extra peanut butter. Collagen powder is another option, though it may make the dough slightly sticky.
- Peanut butter. Choose natural, creamy peanut butter without added sugar or hydrogenated oils for the best flavor and texture. Crunchy peanut butter is not recommended, while Skippy and other store-bought nut butters aren’t as healthy.
- Maple syrup. One to two tablespoons of pure maple syrup add a touch of natural sweetness without sugar. Honey, agave or date syrup are great replacements.
What is the best protein powder?
- Whey protein or whey-casein blend: These are the best options, as they mix smoothly and create a perfect dough-like texture. A whey-casein blend provides more bulk and stability. Depending on your peanut butter, you might need some extra oat or almond flour to adjust the consistency if sticky.
- Casein or vegan protein: Both are more absorbent and may require extra peanut butter or a small splash of unsweetened almond milk to form the dough.
- Collagen protein: This can also work but may result in a wet, sticky dough. Should it be the case, add a teaspoon of oat flour or almond flour to firm it up.
- Flavor tip: I recommend using a good-tasting vanilla protein powder, sweetened naturally without sugar or artificial sweeteners. If using unflavored protein, you may want to add a little extra maple syrup.
How to make peanut butter protein balls
Step 1 – Mix dough. In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter with protein powder, and maple syrup. Using a fork or spatula, mix until a thick dough forms. Adjust consistency as needed by adding little oat flour or peanut butter.
Step 2 – From balls. Scoop equal portions of dough and roll between your palms into smooth, round balls. If sticky, lightly coat your hands with oat flour or water. Place your pb protein balls over a parchment paper lined tray or food container and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Recipe variations
- Keto. Use a low-carb protein powder such as whey isolate and swap maple syrup for a sugar-free sweetener like keto maple syrup or monk fruit syrup.
- Powdered peanut butter. Mix powdered peanut butter with little water or milk until creamy, then use as a low calorie replacement for regular pb.
- Nut-free. Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini for an allergy-friendly snack.
- No protein powder. Replace protein powder with oat flour, oats or almond flour, adjusting with more oat flour or peanut butter if necessary.
- Chocolate-covered. Dip the energy bites in melted dark chocolate and drizzle some more on top, allowing the coating to harden in the fridge.
- Cookie dough. Mix in sugar-free chocolate chips or crunchy cocoa nibs.
- Protein bars. Press the dough into a parchment-lined pan, flatten it evenly, and refrigerate until firm. Slice into bars for an easy grab-and-go snack.
- Mix-ins. Fold in the dough chopped walnuts, pumpkin seeds, M&Ms, or spices like ground cinnamon or pumpkin spice mix.
Recipe tips
- Choose a good protein powder. A high-quality whey protein is ideal, it mixes well without being chalky or gritty. Avoid protein powders with artificial sweeteners or sugars. Here I am using vanilla Legion’s whey protein, highly recommended (use MATTSFIT for a discount).
- Be picky with peanut butter. Opt for natural, creamy peanut butter without added sugar or oils for the best texture and nutritional profile. If your peanut butter is too thick, the dough may require a little Greek yogurt or almond milk to get smooth.
- Adjust the texture. Depending on protein powder and peanut butter used, you may need to tweak the consistency. Add little yogurt or milk if it’s dry, or little oat flour if it’s sticky.
- Sweeten to taste. The sweetness of your protein balls can vary depending on protein flavor. If you’re using an unflavored or less sweet protein powder, add extra maple syrup, honey, or your preferred sweetener.
How to make ahead and store
To store. Place in an airtight food container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. I do not recommend keeping them in the cupboard at room temperature, they may lose texture.
To freeze. Store PB protein balls in a freezer-safe airtight container or zipper bags. They can be frozen for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to eat, simply take out the desired amount and let them thaw overnight in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
Fix a sticky dough with 1-2 tablespoons of rolled oats, oat flour or almond flour until it reaches a smooth consistency. This may happen, depending on your protein powder choice.
If the dough turns out too dry and crumbly, add a bit of milk, Greek yogurt or extra nut butter to smooth it out. Plant-based protein and casein are more absorbent and can make the mixture thicker, requiring some tweaking.
Yes, you can use powdered peanut butter. Simply mix pb powder with a little water or milk until it becomes creamy, then use it as a lower-calorie alternative to regular peanut butter. Just keep in mind that after mixing with liquid, the pb consistency and weight should be the same as described in this recipe. This works great, if you want low calorie protein balls.
Yes, this recipe makes a healthy snack packed with protein. It’s perfect both to build muscle or lose weight depending on your diet. Made with natural ingredients they’re much cleaner and more nutritious than the ones you buy.
More high protein snacks
- Homemade protein bars
- Protein granola bars
- Chocolate protein balls
- Single serving protein cookie
- Cottage cheese pudding
- Cottage cheese cookies
- Cottage cheese brownies
- Greek yogurt protein cookies
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (70 g) protein powder
- ½ cup (120 g) peanut butter, creamy
- 1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup, or honey (to taste)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter with protein powder and maple syrup. Using a fork or spatula, mix until a thick dough forms. Adjust consistency as needed by adding little oat flour or peanut butter (see notes*).
- Scoop equal portions of dough and roll between your palms into smooth, round balls. If sticky, lightly coat your hands with oat flour or water.
- Place protein peanut butter balls over a parchment paper lined tray or food container and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Notes
- If the dough feels too sticky or thick, add a small amount of oat flour to thicken it. If it’s too dry or crumbly, adjust by adding a little milk, Greek yogurt or peanut butter to achieve the desired consistency.
