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If you’re looking for a quick protein-rich snack, these Peanut Butter Protein Balls will fuel your day in the most delicious way – peanut butter lovers take note!
I love homemade protein balls, don’t you? These are my favorite healthy snacks, and they’re also great for breakfast
In fact, these Peanut Butter Energy Balls are made with really simple ingredients and are ready in just 20 minutes, which means I can make them the night before so they’re ready to grab as soon as I walk out the door in the morning.
There’s something about no bake protein balls that makes them feel like a sweet treat, I think it’s the little bit of maple syrup.
However, they’re a great option for time-pressed people and they’re packed with protein so they’ll keep you full until lunchtime.
I’ve been trying to get this recipe out for you guys for a while, but there have been some delays in testing – every time I’ve made a batch to try one of my kids has taken it, so I guess they pass the test!
Let’s see what healthy ingredients make up these peanut butter protein balls.
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Here are the main ingredients of this recipe:
You don’t answer
At first, I chose vanilla protein powder because it tastes sweet but not so sweet that you can’t taste anything else. That being said, you can easily add your own favorite protein powder, as long as it’s not spinach or something.
This ingredient helps us give you 27 grams of protein in just one ball!
Now I know I’ve said that my kids hid almost every ball I made in the test and some people may question whether protein powder is suitable for children.
Personally, I believe that children do not need to obtain protein from supplements if they have a healthy balanced diet. However, in this situation, I don’t believe it would strike as a one-off.
That being said, I would always encourage you to do your own research and make your own decisions. Below are a few links I found useful in making mine.
Here is an article if you want to know more Healthline Protein powder for children, and WebMD Asking, is protein powder safe for children?
Oats
I love good old fashioned oats for breakfast in whatever form they come in, but sometimes I just don’t have time to make porridge or baked oats.
So adding whole grains to a recipe like this is a great way to do it, protein balls with oats taste almost cakey!
Cocoa powder
Cocoa powder, or cocoa powder, is all the same, but the key here is to use the unsweetened kind as the bitterness will cut the sweetness from the protein powder nicely.
Think peanut butter cup vibes! I recommend 2 tablespoons but you can use just one if you prefer.
Greek yogurt
Another protein powerhouse in this recipe comes from Greek yogurt. Again, I chose this variety to keep it low on sweetness but also high in protein which is kind of the key to protein ball recipes.
Nut butter
This recipe is definitely not for people with nut allergies! Try and use the crunchy kind if you like it – it adds the best texture and crunch!
I think this ingredient is one of the best things about this recipe. I like natural peanut butter because it doesn’t have that much sugar.
I love anything with peanut butter and it gives the ultimate boost of protein in our healthy protein ball recipe.
Maple syrup
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth these little no-bake energy bites are perfect. The sweetness from the protein powder and maple syrup really hits the spot.
Pure maple syrup would be my choice as it has no artificial ingredients. Of course, too much sugar in any form isn’t great, so we’ll put 1.5 tablespoons in the recipe.
How many calories are in peanut butter protein balls?
Contains healthy fats from peanut butter 89 Calories in each ball.
It may seem like a lot but a serving is a ball so you need enough calories or you have to eat more than one.
What helps protein and has a fantastic 7 Grams of protein in every bite!
The rest of the nutritional information looks like this:
kcal 89kcal
sugar 10g
thick 3g
protein 7g
Health benefits
You might think about protein balls and think – they’re only for gym bunnies. But actually, as my kids have proven, protein balls can be for anyone. And they’re actually a great way to get your daily protein intake.
Protein is great for keeping us feeling full, it reduces thirst, helps stabilize blood sugar levels and increases satiety levels.
So it’s really important to make sure there’s protein in every meal or snack because many of us sadly don’t get enough protein on a daily basis.
It’s a great tool if you’re trying to lose weight and can help you build muscle more easily.
The great thing about being vegetarian or vegan is that there are so many plant-based protein options.
If you’re looking for more high-protein meal ideas why not download this free 7-day high-protein meal plan?
Want more regular inspiration? There’s also a weekly high-protein plan!
How to make peanut butter protein bites?
Time required: 2 0 minutes.
- Q Time:
Pop the following into a food processor – You don’t answerhalf Oats, Cocoa powder, Greek yogurt, Nut butter, salt, Maple syrupAnd the water. Blitz it until smooth.
- Give time:
Combine the rest of the oats and place the mixture on a baking sheet. It should be doughy but not too wet, so add more oats if needed. Refrigerate the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Rolling time:
Roll the dough into 8 balls.
- Finish:
You can eat them as they are, or coat them with extra cocoa powder or even clay Pistachio.
Protein Ball FAQs
Here are the answers to your top questions:
When you make your batch of protein balls you can store them in an airtight container. It is better to keep them in the fridge as they contain curd.
They should last a few days, however, they never lasted more than a few minutes in my house!
They are great to eat on their own or you can have a piece of fruit with it if you want.
Yes, this is a great recipe to make in large batches. They freeze well for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before you start pouring again!
Protein balls are great as part of a balanced diet. They are high in calories so see you don’t have too many.
However, since they are high in protein, they are good at keeping you full and therefore helping you avoid unhealthy choices.
If you’re watching your calorie intake, it’s probably best to stick to just 2-3 protein balls a day.
Variety of recipes
This is a simple peanut butter protein ball recipe, but you can make some changes where needed.
- Different protein powders: If you don’t have vanilla, you can always use chocolate protein powder to add even more chocolate heat.
- Different nut butters: If you don’t like creamy peanut butter, why not use a seed butter like cashew butter or almond butter?
- Various Sweets: If you can’t stand or don’t like maple syrup, you can always try a touch of honey if you like.
More recipes like this
Let me know in the comments if you like this recipe and also check out these recipes:
Fuel with protein energy! These protein balls are easy to make but hard to keep your hands off. Chocolate included!
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Add to food processor Vanilla Protein Powderhalf Togbog in rolled enthusiasmThe Cocoa powder, Greek yogurt, Nut butter, salt, Maple syrup And the water. Process until smooth.
2 ½ tablespoons of protein powder, ¾ cup rolled oats, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ tbsp water, 1 ½ tsp maple syrup
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Combine the mixture with Leftover oats until you have a homogeneous dough. You should be able to form a ball with the dough, adding a little more oats if necessary. It should not be liquid.
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Rest in the fridge for 10 minutes.
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Divide the dough into 8 portions (about 1 ½ tablespoons each) and form balls with your hands.
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Optional: Coat the balls with additional cocoa powder or nuts like pistachios.
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Eat immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
nutrients
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
No. per job
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Value is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
I’ve tried a lot of different protein ball recipes over the years but this has to be one of my favorite recipes for these go-to snacks!
With 25 grams of protein I know I’m going to be fueled for whatever I have planned for the day, whether it’s work or exercise.