Protein energy balls are certainly not a new trend, but for some reason I have been making these a lot more lately!
It’s fun and easy to throw different ingredients in the food processor and have them in the fridge to snack on during the week!
No-bake protein balls are also a little tempting because every time I walk by the fridge I want to pop one in my mouth! (Who’s with me on that?)
I’m also obsessed with these Mint Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites and while not a protein ball , my Homemade Protein Bars are also delish!
You’ll love these because:
- They have a delicious chewy texture
- Packed with protein (~6 grams in each ball!)
- Loaded with healthy ingredients
- Easy to make (10 minutes, or less!)
- The perfect no bake snack!
Ingredients you will need
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
These oatmeal energy balls can easily be customized (more on that in a bit!), but here’s what I put into these specific energy balls:
- Almond flour : I used a blanched almond flour, but unblanched or almond meal works well too.
- Rolled oats : you can use quick oats or old-fashioned rolled oats
- Vanilla protein powder : use your favorite protein powder or collagen of choice. I love Bob’s Red Mill Vanilla Protein Powder
- Dates : Pitted, Medjool dates. Soak them in lukewarm water if they feel firm before chopping if needed.
- Nut butter: you can use peanut butter , almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.
Step by Step Directions
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
- To make these healthy energy balls, you’ll first need to pulse the oats in a food processor. Then, add in the rest of the ingredients and pulse until everything is nicely incorporated.
- Scoop the mixture into balls using a cookie scoop and roll between your palms to make them look pretty. You’ll want to store these protein energy balls in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week!
How to customize this recipe
Like I mentioned already, these date energy balls can be made with so many different mix-ins, toppings, and drizzles. A few of my favorite ways to change up these protein energy balls are:
- Use coconut flour or chickpea flour instead of almond flour.
- Drizzle the energy bites with peanut butter or melted chocolate.
- Roll in coconut flakes or mini chocolate chips.
- Use chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla, or even your favorite collagen.
- Use different nut butters, such as cashew butter, almond butter, soy nut butter, and sunflower butter.
Are protein energy balls gluten-free?
They will be if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats. Double check the label on your oats to confirm that they were processed in a gluten-free facility.
Tips for making protein energy balls
Once you blend together all the ingredient for these no-bake protein balls, the mixture may appear crumbly. Once you start to form it together between your palms, it should come together to make an energy ball. If it’s just not working out, add a little more nut butter and a splash of water until desired consistency is reached.
If your dates feel dry, you might want to soak them in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes before blending them into the energy ball mixture (make sure to pat them dry first!). Dry dates could prevent the mixture from forming balls easily.
More No-Bake Snack Recipes
5-Ingredient Energy Bars
Homemade Cheerio Trail Mix
Italian Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
Chocolate Lovers Peanut Butter Bites
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No-Bake Protein Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup almond flour, almond meal or ground flaxseed meal
- 6 Medjool dates (pitted), chopped*
- 3/4 cup creamy nut butter (peanut, almond, soy butter, etc.)
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (about 1 Tbsp.)
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, add in the oats and pulse a few times. 1 cup rolled oats
- Add in all other remaining ingredients and process on high until mixture is well combined. 1/2 cup almond flour, almond meal or ground flaxseed meal, 6 Medjool dates (pitted), chopped*, 3/4 cup creamy nut butter (peanut, almond, soy butter, etc.), 2 Tbsp. water, 1 Tbsp. chia seeds, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (about 1 Tbsp.), 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp. salt
- Roll into balls using a cookie scoop or your hands. Recipe makes ~13-15 bites, maybe more if you make them smaller.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate on top or stir in mini chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. chocolate (optional)
- Note: Mixture may appear crumbly. Once you start to form it together between your palms it will come together to make a ball. If it’s just not working out, add more nut butter and a splash of water, blend again until desired consistency is reached.
Video
Notes
- Optional toppings: roll in unsweetened shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, drizzle with melted peanut butter or melted chocolate.
- Soak dates in lukewarm water for ~10 minutes if needed prior to chopping and blending.
- Be sure to use a creamy nut butter for best results.
- Stir in mini chocolate chips and these will last just like cookie dough!
- Store in fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.
