Protein balls! Chocolate peanut butter protein balls to be exact. Because who doesn’t like the combo of chocolate and peanut butter?!
I don’t know about you, but energy balls are just the best to have on hand. Easy to throw together, keep for a long time (especially in the freezer), and are just so dang good.
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These protein balls combine peanut butter and chocolate and taste like a decadent treat while also being good for you and no baking required! My dad tried them while he was visiting and approved and he has a huge sweet tooth. Little did he know they were made of peanut butter, rolled oats, protein powder, and maple syrup. And each one packs 5.5 grams of protein!
Most energy ball recipes call for a food processor, but I went the easy route and we are just using a bowl and a little bit of muscle to form these. They make enough to enjoy them throughout the week as a snack or dessert.
Why we love these chocolate peanut butter protein balls
- peanut butter chocolate flavor – one of the best flavor combinations!
- each one has 5.5 grams of protein!
- ready in 10 minutes with just one bowl – no food processor needed.
- great for meal prep for the week!
Are protein balls good for you?
Protein balls are usually made with healthy ingredients and are full of protein, carbs, healthy fats, and fiber, making them a great choice for a healthy snack. If you make them at home, you know exactly what is going into them and can enjoy them when you are on the go or just need something to hold you over until your next meal.
Energy balls are usually pretty calorie-dense (anywhere from 100-200 calories per ball) for such a small snack, so just be mindful as to how many you eat.
Chocolate peanut butter protein ball ingredients
- natural peanut butter – make sure the ingredients are just peanuts and salt.
- milk
- maple syrup – for a touch of sweetness.
- rolled oats
- chocolate protein powder – this acts as the “flour” to the balls and helps the ingredients come together. I like using plant-based for this reason.
- cocoa powder – for more chocolate flavor.
- cinnamon
- cacao nibs
- salt
How to make chocolate peanut butter protein balls
- Mix ingredients. To a medium-large mixing bowl, add all ingredients except your cacao nibs and stir well to combine until a dough forms. The mixture will get a little crumbly at first but will come together. Add cacao nibs and mix into evenly incorporated.
- Form into balls. Using a tablespoon as a scoop, form 18 equal-size balls. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
- Enjoy!
Can I use another protein powder?
I have only tested this recipe with plant-based protein. You can try a different protein powder, but you will need to adjust the recipe. Protein powders vary by consistency and how dense they are, so I would add a little less than the recipe calls for and add as you need for the best consistency. You can always add, but you can never take away!
- plant-based protein – follow the directions as written. I used this plant-based protein.
- whey protein – since whey protein is not as absorbent as plant-based, you might have to use a little more of it or cut back on the liquid (milk). I suggest leaving out the milk and mixing the batter. Then, add your liquid to help them come together, or add more protein if the texture is too wet. You could also add some more oats if it is too sticky. I like this whey protein.
- collagen – I have not tried this recipe with collagen and I’m not sure it will work since collagen dissolves so easily. The protein powder helps the bars come together.
Storage
- fridge – store in the refrigerator for up to a week in a tightly sealed airtight container to keep the air out. If exposed to the air for too long, they will dry out some.
- freezer – store in a freezer-safe dish and freeze for up to 6 months. I suggest freezing individually and then defrosting the night before you want to eat. Thaw in the fridge when ready to consume.
Substitutions and additions
These chocolate peanut butter energy balls are customizable to your liking. Here are some suggestions:
- peanut butter – creamy or crunchy will work. If you don’t like peanut butter, any nut butter will work but the flavor will change some. Try almond butter or cashew butter. Tahini or sunflower seed butter works great if you can’t have nuts.
- milk – any kind of milk will work (dairy or non-dairy). You can also use water if desired.
- maple syrup – feel free to use honey instead.
- rolled oats – quick oats will work the same. If you don’t like oats, you can leave them out and add in more protein powder.
- protein powder – I like plant-based protein because it adds some sweetness and the consistency works the best. You will want a thicker consistency to help absorb the liquid of the nut butter. I find plant-based protein usually has that. If you don’t have plant-based protein, you can substitute your favorite protein, but I would be careful of the ratios. See above for suggestions.
- cocoa powder – cacao powder will work instead.
- cacao nibs – mini chocolate chips will work instead.
And here are some additions you can add.
- chia seeds
- shredded coconut
- ground flax seeds
- vanilla extract
- dried fruit– dried cranberries or blueberries would work great.
You may have to adjust the liquid amount if adding more dry ingredients.
More healthy protein snacks
- homemade perfect bars
- apple cinnamon oatmeal protein cookies
- no bake chocolate protein balls
- cottage cheese muffins
- protein peanut butter cups
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (256 grams – you can use smooth or chunky)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (50 grams)
- 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder (50 grams)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cacao nibs
- pinch of sea salt
- for topping: flaky sea salt (optional)
instructions
- Mix ingredients. To a medium-large mixing bowl, add all ingredients except your cacao nibs and stir well to combine until a dough forms. The mixture will get a little crumbly at first but will come together. Add cacao nibs and mix into evenly incorporated.
- Form into balls. Using a tablespoon as a scoop, form 18 equal-size balls. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
- Enjoy!
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notes
- I like chocolate plant-based protein because it adds some sweetness and the consistency works the best. You will want a thicker consistency to help absorb the liquid of the nut butter. I find plant-based protein usually has that. If you don’t have plant-based protein, you can try to substitute your favorite protein, but I would be careful of the ratios. Whey and collagen will need a different amount of liquid. See the section ‘Can I use a different protein powder’ in the post for suggestions.
- if the batter is too wet, either add more protein powder or oats. Add little by little until desired consistency.
- if the batter is too dry add a little more milk.
nutrition
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Just curious… how can the oats in this recipe be eaten if they weren’t cooked first? Would love to try it!
Hey Sarah! They sure can – you don’t need too cook the oats to eat them. They add a little texture to the recipe, help hold them together, and you mostly taste the chocolate and PB. Let me know if you try them!
Will try this week — thanks! 🙂
I loved these so much! I forgot the salt but they were great with a bit of cinnamon. I added Lily’s sugar free milk chocolate chips and next time coconut is hitting the mix. I snuck them into the movies for a sweet treat and they hit the spot.
Oh I love those additions! They really are customizable too! Thank you for trying them Cami!