These Healthy Protein Balls Taste Like Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies (2024)

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls are the perfect high-protein breakfast or snack! Made with oats, peanut butter, dates, flaxseed and more. You can whip them up in minutes and keep them stored for weeks!

Are you an energy ball lover? Me too! Here are some of my family’s favorite flavors – Snickerdoodle Energy Bites, Banana Bread Energy Bites, and Oatmeal Cookie Energy Balls.

Table of Contents

• 10-Minute Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
• Are Energy Balls Actually Healthy?
• What You’ll Need
• How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites
• Tips for Success
• Add-In Ideas
• Should Protein Balls be Refrigerated?
• Get the Recipe

10-Minute Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls

Snacking on a high-protein treat is my pre-workout ritual. It gets me pumped up for the gym, and it prepares my body for a successful workout. These quick and easy energy bites are definitely my go-to! They literally taste like little peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

You can also customize the recipe to make any kind of protein balls you’re craving. Whether you use another nut butter or sub out the chocolate chips, you simply can’t go wrong with this recipe. It will have you making a new batch of energy bites as soon as you run out of the last one!

Are Energy Balls Actually Healthy?

While I can’t speak for every energy ball ever created, I can confirm that these ones are genuinely healthy. They’re made with numerous superfoods such as dates and chia seeds, and they don’t contain any gluten or refined sugar. Plus, they’re packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you sustained for hours – even when you’re burning calories at the gym!

What You’ll Need

These peanut butter protein balls boast a short and simple list of ingredients. Round up the following items.

• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Use your favorite brand.
• Ground Flax Seed: This heart-healthy seed adds great texture.
• Chia Seeds: Black.
• Cinnamon: For warmth and flavor.
• Dates: Dried and pitted.
• Peanut Butter: Or another nut/seed butter of choice.
• Vanilla Extract: I recommend using a high-quality extract with no sugar added.
• Vanilla Whey Protein Powder: I like this one from Burt’s Bees.
• Water: To adjust the consistency of the dough.
• Dark Chocolate Chips: If you’re new to homemade energy balls, I recommend using mini chocolate chips – they help the batter compress into balls with ease.

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How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites

These chocolate chip protein balls are truly such a breeze to make. You just have to blend the ingredients and form the balls – you don’t even need to chill them!

Blend Ingredients: Add the rolled oats, ground flax seed, chia seeds, cinnamon, dried dates, peanut butter, vanilla extract and protein powder to a food processor. Pulse until all of the ingredients are blended and the oats are finely chopped, almost like flour consistency (about 7-9 times).

Adjust Consistency: Slowly add water to the food processor and blend until the mixture sticks together. You may need to add more or less water depending on your dough.

Add Chocolate Chips: Add the dough to a large bowl and use your hands to mix in the chocolate chips.

Shape Balls: Form the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Enjoy! Serve the protein balls immediately or keep them chilled until you’re ready to enjoy them.

Tips for Success

Take a second to review these helpful tips and tricks before you make your peanut butter protein balls.

• Avoid Dry Peanut Butter: Sometimes peanut butter can be a little dried out when you get to the bottom of the jar, especially if it’s organic. Ideally, you’ll use the fresher nut butter toward the top.
• Add Water Slowly: Don’t just dump all of the water into your food processor at once. You may only need a portion of it to bring the dough to the proper consistency.
• Use a High-Quality Food Processor: The better your food processor is, the more effectively you’ll be able to pulse everything together. I use my trusty Breville – it’s super quiet and gets the job done great.
• Dampen Your Hands: If the dough is sticking to your hands when you’re rolling it into balls, try getting them a little bit wet or wearing food-safe gloves. You can also use a cookie scoop to help with handling.

Add-In Ideas

In the mood for another energy bite flavor? Apart from subbing out the peanut butter, there are plenty of ways to put a spin on this recipe. When it comes to add-ins, just don’t go overboard or you may run into trouble when you’re shaping the balls.

• Raisins
• Orange Zest
• Hemp Seeds
• Coconut Flakes
• Peanut Butter Chips
• Dried Cranberries
• Mini M&Ms
• Sunflower Seeds
• Shredded Carrots

Should Protein Balls be Refrigerated?

These particular energy balls are best kept in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last for up to 2 weeks! You can bring them to room temperature before enjoying them if you’d like.

Can I Freeze Them?

Yes! If you’d like to store your protein bites in the freezer, you’ll first have to flash-freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 1-2 hours, or until they’re frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw them out in the fridge or on the counter before enjoying them.

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More Protein-Packed Breakfast & Snack Ideas

Need another energizing breakfast or pre-workout snack? I’ve got you!

• Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl
• No Bake Chocolate Brownie Energy Balls
• Chai Banana Muffins
• Flourless Peanut Chocolate Chip Pancakes

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