Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls (no-bake)

Bite-sized bombs of protein, healthy fats, flavor, and fiber, these no-bake peanut butter oatmeal protein balls are a guilt-free snack when you need just a little something to curb your hunger. If peanut butter is a problem ingredient, see the variations to make it customizable for your family. Beware they are deliciously addictive!

When a friend asked me for food ideas for the grand opening of her fitness studio, it was the perfect opportunity to test my no bake peanut butter protein balls recipe. They were a hit! Peanut butter oatmeal protein balls are easy and fun to make. They are sometimes called bliss balls or little protein bites.

Here's another terrific no-bake chocolate recipe for chocolate bites with cranberries and walnuts. They are like chocolate bark in a mini muffin cup. Easy and fun to make!

Recipe Ingredients

Old fashioned oats (regular or GF) are the base for these peanut butter oatmeal protein balls along with good old fashioned creamy peanut butter.

• Coconut milk: I use light canned coconut milk, but you can use full fat.
• Nut or seed butter: Use natural peanut butter (creamy style), cashew butter, or almond butter.
• Sweeteners: Use real maple syrup, honey, or monk fruit maple syrup (how I make them).
• Extract: Use a high quality vanilla extract or try vanilla paste. Almond extract works too.
• Protein powder: From whey protein powder to egg white protein, or plant-based protein blends, there are lots of options. I prefer unflavored and unsweetened to control myself but a vanilla protein powder works well too.
• Rolled oats: Either gluten-free rolled oats, regular rolled oats, or quick oats. You use raw oats, not cooked.
• Chocolate chips: Use your favorite brand but see my dark chocolate chips tips below, or you can use your brand.
• Seeds: Raw hemp seeds or hemp hearts and ground flaxseed add healthy fat, protein, and fiber.
• Coconut: Unsweetened shredded coconut. Use some in the dough then roll the finished balls in extra coconut.
• Dark cocoa powder: Optional to roll in instead of the coconut for a chocolate truffle protein ball.

Please see the recipe card for measurements.

As long as you have the rolled oats out, make a few oatmeal chia seed puddings for breakfast. No bake and easy to make.

Chef's tip on protein powder: With the overwhelming amount of protein powders on the market it can be hard to choose. Read this article for How to Choose a Protein Powder. And if you have any questions about a specific type of protein powder, comment and I'm happy to help.

Substitutions and Variations

Make protein balls many ways to fit your taste and dietary needs. Here are just a few ideas:

• Maca powder adds a kind of butterscotch flavor and is an adaptogenic herb good for energy (optional).
• Adding cinnamon.
• Use tahini if you have nut allergies (sesame seed butter), or try sunflower seed butter.
• Choose either granular monk fruit or a monk fruit honey or maple syrup to reduce sugar and carbs (always a good idea). Here's where to find the brand I use.
• Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, cacao chips, or cacao nibs (chop first).
• Use chocolate protein powder for chocolate peanut butter protein balls.
• Add dried fruit like cranberries or raisins, but chop them first.
• For a coconut allergy, omit and use extra hemp seeds and add chia seeds. I have not made them this way so it's hard to tell you how much of each. Start with a tablespoon until you get a stiff dough. And use almond milk or cream or half and half instead of coconut milk.

For another no-bake snack, try these no-bake chocolate oatbars.

Chef's tip on chocolate chips: While you can use standard Tollhouse chips, there are healthier and allergy-friendly options on the market. Check these chocolate chips out: 1) Hu no added sugar chocolate chips, 2) Lily's Dark Chocolate Baking Chips (with erythrirtol and stevia), and the brand 3) Enjoy life semi sweet mini chocolate chips, free of gluten and 14 common allergens, and 4) Pascha Organic Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Baking Chips (also allergen-friendly).

Recipe Instructions

No food processor or standing mixer required. Make the simple dough by hand in a bowl. These are small balls, just bite-sized to pop into your mouth.

Step 4: Roll finished balls in extra coconut or cocoa powder to finish (optional).

Tips for Perfect Protein Balls

• For perfectly round and portioned protein balls, I use a handy gadget called a cookie scoop. They are also called a disher. Pack the dough into the scooper, pump the handle to pop the dough out of the scoop, then roll in the palm of your hands. These things are great! Here's a chart of the sizes. For a different brand, they are a usually a "small" size and 1 tablespoon.
• Wear disposable kitchen food handler gloves to roll the dough. You can roll the final coconut layer without gloves.
• The dough is a little sticky so use a rubber spatula to mix (versus a wooden spoon).

What else can you use a cookie scoop for? Baked turkey meatballs are a snap with a larger size, #40 or #50. Handy little tools! You'll be glad to have them.

Nut Butter and Seed Butter Comparison Chart

If you want to use a different nut butter or seed butters, this chart should help.

Serving Suggestions

Peanut butter oatmeal protein balls make a terrific afternoon snack whenever you need a little something healthy when your stomach growls. Tuck a few into school lunches or a backpack.

Protein balls are a healthier alternative than junk food or processed snacks. Just sweet enough to take the edge off your sweet tooth and your hunger. Peanut butter protein balls are good at room temperature, chilled, or even frozen.

How long do they last? A week in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer, but they never last that long because they are so good!

More Great Snack Recipes

Good healthy snacks are easy to create with a few good tried and true recipes. Please see the appetizer and snack recipe archive for more ideas.

⭐️Did you Make This?

If you make these peanut butter oatmeal protein balls, please comment and let me know. I enjoy hearing from you. If you loved it, please give it a 5 star rating! They really help other readers.

Originally published 2/25/2018, updated and republished 3/21/2024.

📖 Recipe