These chocolate peanut butter protein balls have simple ingredients and take only 10 minutes to prep. The best healthy no bake snack or treat anytime you need a pick-me-up!

A bowl full of chocolate peanut butter protein balls.

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Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Chocolate peanut butter protein balls are one of the best healthy snacks to make when you need something quick, energy-boosting, and satisfying. Packed with protein, oats, and natural sweetness, they keep you full longer while curbing any chocolate peanut butter cravings.

They remind me of no-bake cookies or my Reese’s no bake peanut butter bars, but more nutritious! If you love easy grab-and-go recipes like my peanut butter oatmeal balls, energy balls or monster energy balls, you’ll want to keep a batch of these in your fridge for snacking all week.

Ingredient Notes

Peanut butter, oats, cocoa powder, honey, vanilla and chocolate chips for a chocolate peanut butter protein balls recipe.

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 easy way to add more protein and chocolate flavor! I love clean eats protein powder but use your favorite flavor and brand.
  • Peanut butter: Smooth and creamy peanut butter helps the chocolate peanut butter protein balls stick together.
  • Honey: This natural sweetener holds the ingredients together as well as gives a delicious flavor.
  • Chocolate chips: Sweet chocolate adds a little crunch to the protein balls. I used mini chocolate chips.
  • Vanilla: Just a splash helps balance the flavors and give it a boost of vanilla flavoring!
  • Optional: Chia seeds and flaxseeds are simple nutritious boosts to add in if you have them available.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Peanut butter chocolate 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. 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.
  4. Enjoy. I like to let them thaw a little bit once I remove them from the freeze so they have a softer texture that makes them so amazing!
Up close photo of chocolate peanut butter protein balls on a cookie sheet.

Tips for Best Results

  • 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.
Chocolate peanut butter protein balls on a parchment lined baking sheet.

More no-bake snacks we love include trail mix recipe, cereal bars and cinnamon roll breakfast smoothie!

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Chocolate peanut butter protein balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

4.98 from 45 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 40 balls
These chocolate peanut butter protein balls have simple ingredients and take only 10 minutes to prep. The best healthy no bake snack or treat anytime you need a pick-me-up!
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Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup quick oats , see note
  • 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.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Oats: To create quick oats, simply place regular old-fashioned oats and pulse them a few times. I like to add these to hold the mixture together better.
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.

FAQs

Why did my protein balls turn out dry and crumbly?

If your mixture is too dry or crumbly, it usually means there’s not enough liquid. Add a small amount of peanut butter or honey (or maple syrup if vegan) and mix again until the texture holds together.

Can I make these chocolate peanut butter protein balls vegan?

Absolutely. Use maple syrup instead of honey and choose a vegan-friendly protein powder. Make sure your chocolate chips are dairy-free, too.

How do you store peanut butter chocolate protein balls?

Keep protein balls stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They’ll stay firm, fresh, and easy to grab when you need a quick snack.

Can I freeze the protein balls ?

Yes, to prevent sticking, par-freeze the chocolate peanut butter protein 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.