Peanut Butter Protein Balls

These Peanut Butter Protein Balls are made with healthy dates, creamy peanut butter, dairy-free chocolate chips and make the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or pre-workout snack! These energy balls are packed with flavor, protein, and take just 10 minutes to whip up! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan and freezer-friendly and easily paleo-friendly.

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Updated May 2022

Easy Peanut Butter Protein Ball Recipe

These Peanut Butter Protein Balls are the perfect snack to make if you need a super quick no-bake treat. They are jam-packed with hearty and delicious ingredients plus you can throw them together in minutes and store them in the fridge all week long!

Everyone could use a healthy make-ahead snack recipe. These simple chocolate chip energy bites have a sweet and nutty flavor that will keep you coming back for more! And it’s easy to customize them with your favorite energy ball ingredients. Looking for more protein ball recipes? You’ll find 12 more delicious Protein Balls here.

What Are Protein Balls?

Protein balls are basically little balls of superfood made with ground nuts, protein powder, dates and more. They’re an ultra-nutritious, ultra-satisfying snack for any occasion. These raspberry bliss balls are so chewy and flavorful, and they work with gluten-free, paleo, vegan, dairy-free and grain-free diet plans!

Are These a Healthy Snack?

You bet! Even though these peanut butter bliss balls are sweet and yummy, they’re very good for you as well. The dates are packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals, and the nuts provide protein, carbs and more. Overall, these energy balls are a well-rounded snack that will fuel your body and make you feel amazing!

Recipe Ingredients

Peanut butter protein bites come together with a handful of hearty ingredients. You can make substitutions to suit your preferences or stick with what’s listed below.

• Sliced Almonds and Pecans: Full of healthy fats, important minerals, calcium and potassium, this combination of nuts is the ultimate energy ball ingredients. If you’re not a fan of pecans or sliced almonds, you can sub with cashews, walnuts or macadamia nuts.
• Medjool Dates: You’ll need about 1 cup pitted dates.
• Protein Powder: We like NuZest Just Clean or Sprout Living Pea Protein but you can use your favorite. We have not tested this with a Whey protein powder since we wanted to keep this recipe vegan but feel free to do so if it fits with your dietary preference.
• Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: Adds natural sweetness. You may sub with more sliced almonds if you’re not a fan of coconut.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: To hold everything together. You can sub with cashew butter, almond butter or any nut butter for a paleo-friendly or seed butter for a nut-free variation.
• Vanilla Extract: For flavor.
• Sea Salt: To taste.
• Chocolate Chips: For a touch of sweetness. Be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips like we did to keep this energy ball recipe vegan.

How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Get ready for the easiest snack of your life! These energy bites are as simple as pulverizing, rolling and chilling.

1. Add ingredients to a food processor: Add cashews, almonds, coconut flakes, dates, nut butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt to a food processor.
2. Grind: Process ingredients until a sticky cookie dough forms. The dough should be pinch-able and stick together when you press it with your hands. Add more nuts or nut butter as needed to adjust the consistency and taste.
3. Stir in chocolate chips: Transfer the dough to a large bowl. Fold in the chocolate chips and mix to combine.
4. Shape: Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Press a few more raspberries and chocolate chips in each ball (to make them prettier), if desired.
5. Serve or store: Store in a resealable bag or airtight container in the fridge (for up to 1 week) or freezer for up to 3 months.

Tips for Success

To ensure your peanut butter energy balls are as tasty as can be, check out the following tips and tricks.

• Use Good Dates: Make sure your dates are fresh and not stale or hard. If they have gotten stale, you can soften them up again and make them good as new! Simply place them in a bowl and pour boiling water into the bowl until all of the dates are submerged. Let the bowl sit, covered, for about 5 minutes, then remove the dates and drain out the moisture.
• Use a Food Processor: You will need a food processor or blender for this recipe in order to pulverize the ingredients. Don’t stop pulsing until the mixture starts clumping together.
• Season/Substitute to Taste: Feel free to add an extra pinch of salt to this recipe, use a different flavored extract or add some dried fruit, if desired. You could also add flaxseeds or chia seeds!

How to Store Homemade Protein Balls

You should keep these cookie dough protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge. We personally love enjoying them once they’ve been chilled! They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.

Can I Freeze These?

You sure can! These chocolate chip balls will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month. Just remember to keep them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw frozen date balls in the fridge before enjoying.

More Healthy Snack Ideas

We have tons of other healthy snack recipes that you’re sure to love. Don’t be shy, give these ones a try!

• No Bake Banana Nut Energy Bites
• Raspberry Bliss Balls
• Lemon Protein Balls
• Paleo Granola

5 from 2 votes

Print

Peanut Butter Protein balls

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

These Peanut Butter Protein Balls are made with healthy dates, creamy peanut butter, dairy-free chocolate chips and make the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or pre-workout snack! These energy balls are packed with flavor, protein, and take just 10 minutes to whip up! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan and freezer-friendly and easily paleo-friendly.

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bliss balls, date balls, date protein balls, healthy protein balls, healthy vegan snacks, homemade snacks, peanut butter energy balls, peanut butter energy bites, peanut butter protein balls, quick snacks

Servings: 14 protein balls

Calories: 128 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup toasted unsalted pecans , you can also sub with roasted unsalted cashews or walnuts
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes , you may sub with more sliced almonds if you're not a fan of coconut.
• 1 cup Medjool dates , pitted
• 1/4 cup creamy unsalted peanut butter , may sub with any nut butter / seed butter of choice (cashew butter tastes the most similar and works great for a paleo-friendly version)
• 2 tbsp plant-based protein powder , we like NuZest Just Clean or Sprout Living Pea Protein but you can use your favorite. We have not tested this with a Whey protein powder since we wanted to keep this recipe vegan but feel free to do so if it fits with your dietary preference.
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp pinch of sea salt
• 2-3 tbsp dairy-free mini chocolate chips + more for pressing, you can sub for regular chocolate chips if not vegan / dairy-free

Instructions

1. Add cashews, almonds, coconut flakes, dates, nut butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt to a food processor.

   

2. Process ingredients until a sticky cookie dough forms. The dough should be pinch-able and stick together when you press it with your hands. Add more nuts or nut butter as needed to adjust the consistency and taste.

   

3. Transfer the dough to a large bowl. Fold in the chocolate chips and mix to combine.

   Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Press a few more chocolate chips in each ball (to make them prettier), if desired.

   Store in a resealable bag or airtight container in the fridge (for up to 1 week) or freezer for up to 3 months.

   

Recipe Notes

How to Store 

Keep your energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge. We personally love enjoying them once they've been chilled! They'll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.

How to Freeze

These bliss balls will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month. Just remember to keep them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw frozen date balls in the fridge before enjoying.

Nutrition Facts

Peanut Butter Protein balls

Amount Per Serving (1 ball)

Calories 128 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 6g12%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.