Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls: 5-Minute Recipe
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter protein balls come together in just five minutes with simple ingredients. They’re the perfect healthy snack for meal prep, post-workout refueling, or satisfying a sweet craving without turning on the oven.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 14-16 balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (90g) rolled oats
- ½ cup (130g) creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup (60ml) honey or maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons (15g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (25g) vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- 2 tablespoons (14g) ground flaxseed
- ¼ cup (45g) dark chocolate chips (optional)
- Pinch of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, ¼ cup protein powder, and 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed. Whisk together with a fork to break up clumps.
- Add ½ cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup honey or maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Place them in separate spots in the bowl.
- Stir with a rubber spatula, starting from the bottom and folding upward, until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms (about 1-2 minutes).
- Check consistency: the dough should hold together when pressed. If too dry, add 1 tablespoon peanut butter or honey. If too sticky, add 1 tablespoon oats.
- Fold in ¼ cup dark chocolate chips gently. Reserve a few to press onto tops for presentation.
- Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, portion dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and roll between palms until smooth. Lightly wet hands if dough sticks.
- Place balls on a parchment-lined plate or container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up (optional but recommended).
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
For best texture, use creamy peanut butter and fresh rolled oats. If dough is too dry, add extra peanut butter or honey; if too sticky, add more oats. Wet hands lightly to prevent sticking when rolling. These taste even better after a day in the fridge as flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 140160
- Sugar: 810
- Sodium: 5080
- Fat: 79
- Saturated Fat: 23
- Carbohydrates: 1618
- Fiber: 34
- Protein: 79
Keywords: no-bake protein balls, chocolate peanut butter protein balls, healthy snack, easy protein balls, 5-minute recipe, meal prep snack, gluten-free protein balls, vegan protein balls