If you’ve been looking for a delicious snack made with nutritious ingredients, these peanut butter energy balls with oatmeal and chocolate chips are just what you’ve been looking for! A great snack for on-the-go, to tide you over between meals, or satisfy your sweet tooth.
Whether you call them protein balls, energy balls, energy bites, or power balls, this no bake snack is a great way to have something filling to pack for work, enjoy as an after school snack, or to simply have on hand for when you’re feeling snacky. We also love these small bites because they can be enjoyed as little sweet treats that are reminiscent of peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough but with more protein, fiber, and nutrients!
Like our birthday cake energy balls, we love making a big batch of this easy snack at the beginning of the week to enjoy all week long! We’ll often make a double batch right away because our family loves these so much.
One of my co-workers (and dear friends) was my main taste tester as I perfected this no bake protein balls recipe years ago. As an Ironman finisher and all-around active and fit person, she eats a lot of high-protein, energy boosting kinds of snacks. She gave a big thumbs-up to this energy bite recipe!
These are also toddler approved. My little helper likes to grab one or two as I’m rolling them, and absolutely LOVES when I give her one for dessert. My aunt also gives these oatmeal peanut butter balls to her grandchildren because they request them!
If you love snacks as much as we do, be sure to check out all of our snack recipes!
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Why You’ll Love this Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe
Made with simple ingredients. You likely have the ingredients needed for these homemade protein balls in your pantry already! And if you don’t, all of the items used are basic ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store, Target, or Walmart.
Super easy recipe. A little measuring, stirring ingredients together, and then rolling into balls… it doesn’t get much easier than that! These easy protein balls are the perfect snack recipe to try for newer cooks or having little hands helping you in the kitchen.
Made with wholesome ingredients. These delicious peanut butter protein balls are packed with good-for-you ingredients like rolled oats and chia seeds, natural sweetness from pure maple syrup, and some extra grams of protein from both nut butter and protein powder.
Ingredients Needed
Peanut Butter: I prefer using my favorite creamy peanut butter for this energy ball recipe. Natural peanut butter works really well in this recipe too.
Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Use your favorite old fashioned oats or rolled oats (NOT quick cook oats) to make energy balls recipe. Old fashioned oats are less processed than quick cook oats, leaving them with a sturdier texture which make them ideal for these peanut butter protein balls.
Vanilla Protein Powder: Use your favorite vanilla protein powder in this energy bites recipe! There are a lot of protein powder options out there, and some are better for you than others. I recommend selecting a protein powder with minimal ingredients. I personally like and use this whey protein powder because I know what every ingredient listed is (and their vanilla has less than 5 ingredients total!). I’ve used this plant-based protein powder in the past and enjoyed it.
Pure Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener gives your energy bites just enough sweetness. Please make sure to use real maple syrup (NOT pancake syrup) for this recipe.
Chia Seeds: Chia seeds pack a huge nutritional punch! They are loaded with fiber, protein, omega-3s, antioxidants, and so much more. They’re a superfood for a reason, and they’re relatively easy to find these days in your local grocery store.
Mini Chocolate Chips: While peanut butter is the predominant flavor in these energy balls, having those little pops of chocolate is really enjoyable!
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Try crunchy peanut instead of creamy. Simply swap out one-for-one.
- Use a different chocolate chip. You can use regular sized chocolate chips if that is what you have on hand (doing a quick rough chop will be helpful!). Using dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips are totally ok in this recipe too!
- Amp up with chocolate by trying chocolate protein powder! If preferred, swap out the vanilla protein with chocolate one-for-one.
- Use a different nut or seed butter. You can also try this recipe with cashew butter or sunflower seed butter if desired! I’ve found that almond butter often results in dry protein bites, but you can give it a try if you’d like.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pre-soak your chia seeds in a small bowl by mixing together your chia seeds and water. Set aside while you measure and mix your other ingredients. If you remember, give it a little stir part way through the next step.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the oats, protein powder, maple syrup, peanut butter, and chocolate chips until mostly combined.
Step 3: Mix the pre-soaked chia seeds and stir until a uniform dough is created.
Step 4: Roll the energy bite dough into balls by rolling a small scoop of dough into a ball between your hands. You may need to gently press the dough together to help it form into a ball as you roll. I like to use a small cookie scoop to get evenly sized protein balls (you could also use a Tablespoon measure or wing it using a regular spoon).
Step 5: Place rolled protein balls onto a lined cookie sheet (parchment paper or wax paper both work), or into a storage container, and place into the refrigerator to finish setting up.
Possible Dietary Restrictions?
This protein ball recipe is vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan as written. However, a few notes:
- For those with celiac disease it is important to verify the rolled oats you are using specifically note gluten free on the packaging. This will ensure that you are making gluten free protein balls.
- You will also want to verify that the protein powder you are using meet your dietary needs. My go-to protein powder is this whey protein which is vegetarian friendly. I’ve also used and enjoy this protein powder which is certified to be both vegan and gluten free.
- Ensure the chocolate chips used meet your dietary requirements. I’ve use this brand of chocolate chips which is certified to be dairy free, gluten free, and vegan.
Storage
Store energy bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months if desired!
Expert Tips
Pre-soak your chia seeds. You may be tempted to skip this step, but don’t! Pre-soaking your chia seeds makes a HUGE difference in how this high protein snack turns out. Since chia seeds can soak up to 10x their weight in liquid, putting your chia seeds into this no bake energy bites recipe without soaking them leaves you with a very dry energy ball. So ensure your energy balls have enough moisture by simply pre-soaking your chia seeds in water as you mix up the rest of your ingredients.
Recipe FAQs
Are these peanut butter oatmeal protein balls the same as bliss balls?
No. Bliss balls are typically made with dates or dried fruits for sweetness. The dough for bliss balls are also usually blended in a food processor or blender, giving them a totally different texture than our oatmeal energy bites.
How do I get my protein balls to all be the same size?
There are a couple of ways to do this. My favorite way to get uniformly sized protein bites is to use a small cookie scoop to portion them out. Alternatively, you could use a Tablespoon measure to accomplish the same goal.
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📖 Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 3 tablespoon water
- 1.5 C rolled oats
- 3 tablespoon vanilla protein powder
- ¼ C maple syrup
- 1 C peanut butter
- 3 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together your chia and water and set aside to pre-soak while you measure and mix your other ingredients. Give the chia a stir part way through the next step
- In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients (except your chia and water). When almost all of the way combined, add in your pre-soaked chia and any remaining water and stir until uniform
- Roll into 1″ balls by rolling a scoop of dough into a ball between your hands. You may need to gently press the dough together to help it form into a ball as you roll
- Place protein balls on a cookie sheet (or in a storage container) lined with parchment paper
- Store protein balls in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week
Notes
- Try crunchy peanut instead of creamy. Simply swap out one-for-one.
- Use a different chocolate chip. You can use regular sized chocolate chips if that is what you have on hand (doing a quick rough chop will be helpful!). Using dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips are totally ok in this recipe too!
- Amp up with chocolate by trying chocolate protein powder!Simply swap out one-for-one.
- Use a different nut or seed butter. Try with cashew butter or sunflower seed butter if desired. I’ve found that almond butter often results in dry protein bites, but you can give it a try if you’d like.
Taylor says
If I could give this 10 stars I would! So good. The recipe made the perfect amount for my partner and I to enjoy them! We put them in the fridge overnight and they stayed the same texture for lunch the next day (plus a snack). Really like the crunch and it was easy to track for my food log
Meredith says
I’m so glad these PB Energy Bites worked well for you guys Taylor! Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try. Hope you can enjoy more soon!
Callan says
Ok these were exactly what I was looking for! They come together so quickly and are such a perfect little treat. I didn’t have vanilla protein powder so I added 1tsp vanilla. I can see how these could be super versatile too — excited to make more!
Meredith says
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed these Callan! Great option subbing in the vanilla extract. Happy snacking!
David says
Really tasty. Perfect to grab one (or three) before a workout for a boost.
ourlovelanguageisfood says
glad you love them too! thanks so much for making my recipe.
Victoria says
Easy. Yummy. Protein and chocolate – a perfect snack……. except I can’t stop with one.
ourlovelanguageisfood says
so glad you enjoyed this recipe! I can’t stop at one either!
Kelley says
A favorite in our house! Our fridge is never without these since first making them. A great healthy snack for the Littles and a great boost for those on the go. When I hit my afternoon slump, I grab one (okay maybe two or three, lol) and I’m good to go.
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I’m so happy to hear this!!! Glad the whole fam loves them
Aunt Martha says
Planning a road trip to watch some eagles – had to make another batch to take along! They travel well, and are healthier than all the other things I was going to take along to snack on.
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I’m so glad they were a hit! Definitely good road food. Have fun!