These oatmeal peanut butter protein balls are a quick and easy snack! With chocolate chips and a chocolate drizzle, this is a flavorful recipe that is perfect post workout or as a mid-afternoon pick me up!
Anyone else an avid snacker? I always like to have quick things on hand for when the hunger really strikes and I don’t feel like whipping up anything elaborate.
In come these peanut butter protein balls! There are several ways you can make this recipe, and it’s easy to adapt based on what you currently have on hand.
Plus, they’re the perfect recipe for when you’re craving something sweet but feel like you may have indulged in one too many cookies last night. Just me?!
Anyway, these healthy oatmeal balls are made with just a few pantry staple ingredients and are perfect for a mid day snack, school lunches or even a healthy dessert. Anything goes!
Ingredients
- Oats: I like using half rolled oats and half quick oats because it adds some contrasting texture, but you can use all of one or the other depending on what you have on hand. And yes, you can eat raw oats! That’s what we’re doing with overnight oats after all!
- Peanut Butter: I love using creamy peanut butter, but crunchy works well if that’s what you have too.
- Maple Syrup: You can use maple syrup or honey to sweeten this recipe, but maple syrup is a bit easier to stir than honey.
- Flax Seeds: We’ll be using ground flax seeds for this recipe which not only work to absorb any excess moisture and hold the bites together, but they add quite a bit of protein as well!
- Chocolate Chips: You will need chocolate chips for the protein balls themselves, but some extra to melt on the stove and make a drizzle.
- Vanilla & Cinnamon: For lots of extra flavor.
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients aside from the chocolate chips.
Mix with a rubber spatula until well combined. Because of the nature of peanut butter, it can take a few minutes to really get it well mixed up, but if you need to use your (clean) hands, don’t hesitate!
Add in the chocolate chips and mix together until combined. Try to really smoosh the chocolate chips in there to make sure they’re well combined.
Use a cookie scoop or a regular spoon and roll into balls with about 1 1/2 tbsp of “dough.” It helps to use your hands to really mold the ingredients together.
If you want to use the chocolate drizzle, combine the coconut oil and chocolate chips in a small bowl or pot, put that pot in a slightly larger pot with about 1 inch of water in the larger pot (a make shift double boiler).
Turn the heat onto medium/low and stir occasionally until the chocolate melts. Use a spoon to drizzle over the balls. Enjoy!
FAQ’s
Do they keep? Once prepared, these peanut butter protein balls will keep in the fridge for 1 week.
Can I freeze them? Yes, this recipe is also freezer friendly! Store them in an air tight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Are energy balls healthy? It totally depends on the recipe! This recipe is made with incredibly simple ingredients and are full of healthy fats, protein, fiber and low in sugar.
Troubleshooting tips: As you’re making these, if you find the protein balls aren’t sticking together, it’s likely because your dough doesn’t have enough moisture. If it seems too dry, add in 1 tbsp of maple syrup or even almond milk at a time until the dough molds together better.
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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls
by: claire cary
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled oats*
- ¾ cup quick oats*
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp creamy unsalted + unsweetened peanut butter*
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
- ¼ cup ground flax seeds
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Optional Drizzle: 1/2 cup chocolate chips + 2 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients aside from the chocolate chips.
- Mix with a rubber spatula until well combined. Because of the nature of peanut butter, it can take a few minutes to really get it well mixed up, but if you need to use your (clean) hands, don’t hesitate! If the dough seems too dry, add in a bit more maple syrup or even a splash of milk or extra peanut butter to soften it a bit. On the other hand, if the mixture is too wet, add in a bit of extra oats.
- Add in the chocolate chips and mix together until combined.
- Use a cookie scoop or a regular spoon and roll into balls with about 1 1/2 tbsp of “dough.” Use your hands to kind of smoosh the ingredients together and then roll into a ball in the palm of your hand.
- If you want to use the chocolate drizzle, combine the coconut oil and chocolate chips in a small bowl or pot, put that pot in a slightly larger pot with about 1 inch of water in the larger pot (a make shift double boiler). Turn the heat onto medium/low and stir occasionally until the chocolate melts.
- Use a spoon to drizzle over the balls. Sprinkle with salt flakes if desired and enjoy!
Morgan says
Loved these! So easy to make and delicious.