These protein balls without protein powder are chewy, sweet, and decadent. They make a great grab-and-go snack or light breakfast! All you need is a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes to make this recipe.
I always stock up on healthy snacks, so I will have something convenient to grab whenever I feel peckish between meals! While I love making my protein flapjacks and peanut butter chocolate protein bars, these protein balls are my current go-to.
Although made without protein powder, these balls are still reasonably high in protein due to the addition peanut butter, nuts, and chia seeds. However, if you are looking for a recipe that includes protein powder, I recommend checking out my oatmeal protein bars or protein mug brownies instead!
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💚Why you will love this recipe
- The perfect mid-afternoon snack that is packed with protein and fiber
- An easy 10-minute recipe that requires no heating or baking
- Can be easily customizable to suit your dietary needs and taste preference
- Great for meal prep and are freezable
🍫What you will need
📃Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Oats - You can either use quick or rolled oats. Use a certified gluten-free brand to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Nuts - Although I use roasted cashews, you can use nuts here. If your nuts are raw, I recommend lightly roasting them in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 180C/350F to enhance their aroma.
- Peanut butter - Can be substituted with other nut butter like almond or cashew butter.
- Maple syrup - This can be substituted with honey or agave syrup. Use sugar-free syrup to make this recipe low sugar.
- Chia seeds - An optional ingredient that adds texture and additional protein to this recipe.
- Chocolate chips - I am using dark chocolate chips, but feel free to use your favorite variation!
🔪How to make
In a food processor, add all ingredients except chocolate chips. Blend the ingredients until a dough forms.
Next, add chocolate chips and give them a few pulses or until they are well incorporated into the dough.
Using a medium cookie dough scoop, scoop out a portion of the dough and form it into balls. Repeat until the dough is used up.
Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate your protein balls for an hour before digging in if you prefer a firmer texture.
✅Helpful tips
- Use roasted nuts - Roasted nuts are more aromatic and rich in flavor. If you only have raw nuts, toast them in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 180C/350F or in a skillet for a few minutes.
- Making protein balls without a food processor - Use quick oats instead of rolled oats. As for the nuts, roughly chop them up, or opt for almond flour instead. Begin by mixing the wet ingredients first, then add the dry ingredients.
- Adjusting the texture of the dough - If your dough is too crumbly and dry to hold its shape, add some milk or water, a teaspoon at a time. You can add more oats if your dough is too wet and sticky.
- Shaping balls with damp hands - To avoid the dough from sticking, make sure to wet your hands frequently when forming the balls.
- Make it your own - Feel free to adjust the proportion of ingredients or swap them out to suit your preferences.
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✨Variations and add-ins
Oatmeal raisins - Replace chocolate chips with the same amount of raisins.
Chocolate - Add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dough. You should add a splash of milk or water if the dough is too dry.
Coconut - Replace ¼ cup of oats with an equal amount of desiccated coconut or ½ cup of coconut flakes.
Almond joy - Use almond butter in place of peanut butter. As for your choice of nuts, you can opt for roasted almonds instead.
Spices - Pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg are great options.
Protein powder - To further boost the protein content of these energy balls, you can substitute ¼ cup of oats with protein powder. Similarly, adjust the texture of your dough by adding water/milk, a teaspoon at a time.
Or, you can give my vegan protein balls a try!
Turn them into energy bars - Firmly press the mixture into an 8x8 baking pan. Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before slicing them into bars!
❄️Storing suggestions
Fridge - These protein balls without protein powder can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freezer - Protein balls can be frozen for 3 months. Allow them to slightly thaw and soften for 5-10 minutes before enjoying!
?Commonly asked questions
If your protein balls are not holding their shape and are crumbly, it is likely the dough is too dry. Add some milk or water, a teaspoon at a time, until the dough is wet enough to hold its shape.
To make protein balls without peanut butter, simply substitute it with another nut butter such as cashew butter or almond butter.
These protein balls can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats. Although oats are naturally free from gluten, cross-contamination might occur during processing.
It is recommended that protein balls be refrigerated to maintain their freshness. If left out for too long, they may turn soft and sticky.
🍽️More high-protein snacks
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📖 Recipe
Protein Balls without Protein Powder
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats or quick oats (use gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup roasted cashews or other roasted nuts of choice*
- ½ cup peanut butter or another nut butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey/agave/sugar-free syrup
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- In a food processor, add all ingredients except chocolate chips. Blend the ingredients until a dough forms. If the mixture appears dry, add some water or milk, a teaspoon at a time.
- Next, add chocolate chips and give them a few pulses or until they are well incorporated into the dough.
- Using a medium cookie dough scoop, scoop out a portion of the dough and form it into balls. Repeat until the dough is used up.
- Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate your protein balls for an hour before digging in if you prefer a firmer texture.
Notes
- Making protein balls without a food processor - Use quick oats instead of rolled oats. As for the nuts, roughly chop them up, or opt for almond flour instead. Begin by mixing the wet ingredients first, then add the dry ingredients.
- Adjusting the texture of the dough - If your dough is too crumbly and dry to hold its shape, add some milk or water, a teaspoon at a time. You can add more oats if your dough is too wet and sticky.
- Shaping balls with damp hands - To avoid the dough from sticking, make sure to wet your hands frequently when forming the balls.
Save this recipe!
Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
Also get a FREE high-protein vegan recipe eBook + weekly new recipes! Unsubscribe anytime.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
Gina says
A recipe for protein balls without protein powder---yay! 🙂 Whole foods rock. Thank you for sharing.