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Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

These chocolate peanut butter protein balls taste like no baked cookies but healthier! These make the perfect pre-workout snack, breakfast, or dessert!

Protein balls on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Healthy Grab and Go Snack

Protein balls are one of my favorite snacks to make! They are easy, healthy and so delicious. Plus they make the perfect grab-and-go snack. I also like to make energy ballsalmond joy energy bites, and lemon coconut energy balls.

Energy balls have been my jam lately. I’m nursing right now, so I am hungry 24/7! Is it just me, or do the cravings hit even harder when nursing than pregnant? Holy cow. Give me all the chocolate! These chocolate protein balls are packed with protein so have helped kept me full longer. They are seriously SO good! The texture is perfect and they are almost like eating cookie dough. They actually remind me of no-bake cookies, but healthier!

These protein balls are my go-to healthy snack whenever the chocolate cravings hit! So much better than grabbing a Reese’s and much more satisfying! My kids love them too! I have to hide them from my 2-year-old because I’ve found her sneaking them out of the freezer.

Ingredients

All you need to make them is oats, peanut butter, honey, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and vanilla. I like to add in a scoop of protein powder as well for a little extra protein. Sometimes I’ll add flaxseed and chia seeds as well as sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or salt for extra flavor as well.

Ingredients for protein balls.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Oats: This is the main ingredient! Oats give the most texture and structure to the protein balls.
  • Cocoa powder: Gives a little hint of chocolate!
  • Chocolate protein powder: An optional add-in would be your favorite protein powder. I do love clean eats protein powder but know that everyone has their favorite flavor and brand.
  • Peanut butter: Stick your protein balls together using smooth and creamy peanut butter.
  • Honey: Add in a natural sweetener that helps holds the ingredients together as well as gives a delicious flavor.
  • Chocolate chips: A sweet chocolate that is tasty to bite into.
  • Vanilla: Just a splash helps balance the flavors and give it a boost of vanilla flavoring!
  • Optional: Chia seeds and flaxseeds are always simple to add in if you have them available. This takes the protein balls to the next level of healthiness.

How to Make Protein Balls

If you’ve ever wondered how to make protein balls, I’m going to show you how. They are seriously SO easy to make and come together in minutes. The base of this recipe is similar to my 3-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls, but with added chocolate for good measure.

Protein balls lined up on a cookie sheet.
  1. Mix together. Once you have all your ingredients ready, you literally just mix them all together in a bowl. Add the dry ingredients first, then mix in the wet ingredients and stir until smooth.
  2. Scoop. Then scoop them into little balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. I like to use a small cookie scoop to make things easier. You should end up with around 40 protein balls.
  3. Chill and enjoy. I like to par-freeze them by placing the whole pan in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. Then I place them all in a ziptop bag and put them back in the freezer. You can also put a couple of the protein balls in snack-size bags when you need a quick snack on the go. Once I take them out of the freezer, I like to let them thaw a little bit so they have the soft cookie dough texture that makes them so amazing!
Up close photo of the protein balls on a cookie sheet.

Tips for Best Results

Follow these tips for the best protein balls yet! Learn what you can add in, substitutions or modifications if needed, and how to make the protein balls perfectly when rolling them. It is a simple recipe that comes together quickly and easily!

  • Add in. If adding chia seeds or flaxseed, add them in with the wet ingredients.
  • Substitutions. Feel free to make substitutes, like cashew butter instead of peanut butter or maple syrup instead of honey.
  • Too dry. If the mixture feels too dry, add an additional Tablespoon of peanut butter + 1/2 Tablespoon of honey.
  • Too sticky. If it feels too sticky, add 1-2 more Tablespoons of oats or protein powder.

5 star review

“Delicious!! Super easy and tastes like no bake cookies in cookie dough form.”

– Monica
A bowl full of protein balls.

Recipe FAQs

Are protein balls good for you?

Yes! These are a great form of snack that is healthy and good for you. Leave out the chocolate chips to make them even more healthy. These are also not low-calorie but can be altered with modifications to the ingredients.

How many protein balls should I have a day?

Each protein ball is between 100 to 150 calories per protein ball depending on the size of the scoop you use. Most people will average between two to three a day.

When should I eat protein balls?

Protein balls are best in the morning, snack, or before and after a workout at the gym. These are packed with protein and other nutrients that will help build, repair, and replenish your body throughout the day.

Storing and Freezing

These peanut butter protein balls are best stored in the fridge or freezer. I prefer to store them in the freezer because they last longer and the texture is amazing. Just let them thaw for a few minutes, then they’ll have that delicious cookie dough consistency.

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container or bag for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezer: To prevent sticking, par-freeze the balls on a pan in the freezer until hard, about 10 to 20 minutes. Then place it in a zip-top bag or container and add a freezer label (or write the date on the bag). Store for up to 3 months.

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Protein balls on a baking sheet.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

4.98 from 42 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
These chocolate peanut butter protein balls taste like no bake cookies but healthier! These make the perfect pre-work out snack, breakfast or dessert!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 40 balls

Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup quick oats
  • ¾ cup old fashioned oats
  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 70 grams chocolate protein powder , 2 scoops
  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • ½ cup honey
  • splash of vanilla

Optional mix in's: 1-2 Tablespoons chia seeds, ground flaxseed, hemp protein, collagen and/or mini chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • Stir together the oats, cocoa powder and protein powder in a large bowl. Next stir in the peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips (if adding I like to start with about 1/4 cup) and vanilla. Add chia seeds and flaxseed with the wet ingredients if desired. Stir until smooth.
    • Line a small baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Using a small cookie scoop (2 teaspoons), scoop out 40 balls. Place in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes, or until ready to eat.

    Notes

    Note: If you add extra ingredients and the mixture feels to dry, add a Tablespoon more of peanut butter and 1/2 tablespoon of honey.
    If it feels too sticky, add a Tablespoon or two more of oats or protein powder.
    Freezer Instructions: If you’d like to store in the freezer, place pan in freezer for 10-20 minutes and then transfer balls to a zip top bag or freezer container. Taste best when slightly thawed from freezer or from the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ball | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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