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These no-bake protein balls satisfy any hunger pangs and peanut butter cravings! Packed with sweet nutty flavor, their soft texture resembles cookie dough, and their bite-size shape provides a quick energy boost. This super easy recipe is great for snacks \u2014 or any time of day!<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0 While Dad put in full days, Mom returned home in the early afternoons. As she changed out of her nice dress clothes, my brother and I often slipped into bathing suits. Mom enjoyed swimming laps at one of the local pools, and we loved canonballing in, splashing around, and strapping on goggles to dive for rings and other toys resting on the pool\u2019s floor. It was a win-win for everyone! \u00a0 Instead, we opened the silverware drawer, twisted off the lid to the peanut butter jar, and each dug out a spoonful. It may<\/em> have been enough to glue an elephant\u2019s mouth shut, but we still finished off those \u201cpeanut butter spoons\u201d in mere seconds\u2026 Which gave us that much more time at the pool! \u00a0 Yet unlike our \u201cpeanut butter spoons,\u201d these snack bites are entirely portable, and they have a lot more protein too. They\u2019re great fuel for any kind of afternoon activities \u2014 for kids and adults alike! \u00a0<\/p>\n Difficulty:<\/strong><\/span> Very easy.<\/p>\n Taste:<\/strong><\/span> Nutty and familiar, with a strong pop of salt and hint of sweetness.<\/p>\n Texture:<\/strong><\/span> Soft and moist, a bit like cookie dough. \u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk about what you\u2019ll need to make these healthy no-bake peanut butter protein balls! The ingredients list is rather short, and you probably have at least half of them in your kitchen already.<\/p>\n Creamy peanut butter.<\/strong><\/span> No surprises here! In order to make peanut butter protein balls, you need\u2026 Peanut butter. The type<\/em> of peanut butter you use matters a lot though! For the best texture, use natural-style creamy peanut butter. I typically turn to my super easy homemade peanut butter<\/a>. (You only need 5 minutes to make it!)<\/p>\n Hint:<\/span> If you prefer store-bought, double check the jar\u2019s label. The natural, drippy-style kind made solely with peanuts and salt yields the best results! (A little bit of oil is okay too.)<\/p>\n I do not<\/u><\/em> recommend substituting crunchy peanut butter. Peanut butter contributes to the liquid volume of these protein balls, and those \u201ccrunchy\u201d peanut bits take up space in the measuring spoon\u2026 Which means you end up with less<\/em> of the creamy portion \u2014 thus throwing off the ratio of wet and dry ingredients \u2014 and your mixture might be too dry to hold together. So save your crunchy peanut butter for another day, and grab a jar of creamy instead! \u00a0 Powdered peanut butter is made from peanuts that have been skinned, crushed, and partially defatted. This means it\u2019s lower fat, lower calorie, and higher protein compared to regular peanut butter \u2014 or even finely ground peanuts. It still has a strong nutty taste, so it\u2019s a great way to boost the peanut flavor and<\/em> add protein to these energy bites!<\/p>\n Hint:<\/span> Powdered peanut butter kind of looks like tan cornstarch or really light brown cocoa powder! It has that same ultra-fine, almost dusty consistency.<\/p>\n If you can find powdered peanut butter that contains nothing except peanuts (or peanuts and salt), such as PB2 Pure<\/a>, that\u2019s my top recommendation! I know it\u2019s not always easy to locate, so more widely available products like PB2 Original<\/a> or PBfit Original<\/a> are decent second choices. \u00a0 This<\/a> is the exact soy protein powder that I use, and I generally buy it online. (\u2190 That\u2019s often the best price I\u2019ve found for it!) It also goes by the name \u201csoy protein isolate,\u201d so you may see that on the label instead.<\/p>\n REALLY IMPORTANT NOTE:<\/span> Many protein powder brands and products behave differently, both in baking and no-bake recipes (like these peanut butter protein balls!). Substituting another one can produce drastically<\/em> different results, especially because of the amount and way each unique one absorbs liquids. I haven\u2019t tried any other protein powders to make this recipe, so I can\u2019t guarantee whether yours will work\u2026 Unless it\u2019s whey-based.<\/p>\n Do not<\/u> substitute whey-based protein powder! I guarantee it won\u2019t work in this recipe. It\u2019s not nearly as absorbent as plant-based protein powders, so your mixture will be a wet, liquidy, gloopy mess and impossible to roll into balls. Set aside your whey-based protein powder for another recipe!<\/p>\n For more information, see my Protein Powder FAQ Page<\/a>. I share lots more advice and cover plenty of tips there! \u00a0 Because it\u2019s a zero-calorie sweetener, liquid stevia also helps keep these healthy peanut butter protein balls low carb and low calorie. Unlike honey, stevia is plant-based, so it makes these protein balls vegan too!<\/p>\n Tip:<\/span> Just like with protein powders, many stevia brands and products have different sweetness levels, so they\u2019re not necessarily 1-for-1 substitutes for each other. For the best results, I highly recommend using the same one that I do! I typically buy it online here<\/a> (that\u2019s the best price I\u2019ve found!), and you\u2019ll use it in all of these recipes<\/a> of mine too. I promise it\u2019s not a \u201cone-time use\u201d ingredient! \u00a0 Thinking about how a generous sprinkling of salt makes veggies, soups, and even soft-baked pretzels<\/a> and caramel<\/a> taste a million times better, I immediately whipped up a second batch of protein balls. I kept the amounts and ingredients exactly the same, but I also added a hefty pinch of salt.<\/p>\n Holy moly\u2026 A complete<\/em> 180\u00b0! The peanut flavor tasted so prominent and bright, the exact opposite of my previous batch, and that second round of protein balls disappeared in the blink of an eye. They were so<\/u><\/em> flavorful and irresistible \u2014 all thanks to that pop of salt!<\/p>\n So the moral of this (salty) story? Don\u2019t be lazy, pour it in, and don\u2019t be afraid to add a bit more than you think either. Your taste buds will thank you!<\/p>\n Water.<\/strong><\/span> Many other recipes opt for honey or dates to \u201cglue\u201d everything together, but you\u2019ll use water for these healthy peanut butter protein balls instead. That helps keep them low carb and low calorie, and it lets the peanut flavor shine more too. (It\u2019s also much easier \u2014 no special trips to the grocery store required for this ingredient! \ud83d\ude09 ) \u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s briefly cover how to make the best no-bake peanut butter protein balls! I promise this recipe is super<\/em> easy. I just have some tips to ensure yours turn out perfectly!<\/p>\n Measure correctly.<\/strong><\/span> If you\u2019ve browsed through my other recipes before, then you probably predicted that I\u2019d mention this\u2026 It\u2019s one of the most important parts! Make sure you measure all of the ingredients correctly, using this method<\/a> or a kitchen scale<\/a>. (\u2190 That\u2019s the one I own!) This is particularly true for the powdered peanut butter and protein powder! Too much of either one will dry out the mixture and make it too crumbly to roll into balls. Yet if you measure these the proper way, your peanut butter protein balls will be beautifully soft and perfectly shapeable! \u00a0 One key thing to note\u2026 It\u2019s going to take a bit of effort and patience to mix together those wet ingredients! The creamy peanut butter takes some time to break apart and \u201cdissolve\u201d (well, technically<\/em> dissociate, if you\u2019re nerdy and an ex-scientist like me!), so keep going until no lumps remain.<\/p>\n For this reason, I highly recommend a fork \u2014 not a spatula or spoon! The sharp tines of the fork help break apart the peanut butter, and the empty space between those tines also helps the ingredients mix together more efficiently. \u00a0 That\u2019s right \u2014 even though my blog is called \u201cAmy\u2019s Healthy Baking,\u201d there\u2019s no oven involved in this recipe. These peanut butter protein balls are no-bake! So all that\u2019s left to do now is\u2026 Eat! \u00a0<\/p>\n Are these no-bake peanut butter protein balls gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, low calorie, low carb, or clean eating?<\/strong><\/span> What\u2019s the best peanut butter for peanut butter protein balls?<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n Can I substitute another protein powder?<\/strong><\/span> Can I omit the protein powder?<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Can I use a different sweetener?<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 I had the opposite problem \u2014 mine was too wet and sticky. Why\u2019s that?<\/strong><\/span> If it\u2019s only slightly too sticky to roll, try adding more protein powder and\/or powdered peanut butter to help \u201cdry out\u201d the mixture and make it stiff enough to shape.<\/p>\n How should I store these peanut butter protein balls? And how long do they last?<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 \u00a9 <\/span>Amy’s Healthy Baking<\/span><\/p>\n These no-bake protein balls satisfy any hunger pangs and peanut butter cravings! Packed with nutty flavor, their soft texture resembles cookie dough, and their bite-size shape provides a quick energy boost. They\u2019re great for snacks \u2014 or any time of day! These protein balls will keep for at least four days (if not closer to a week!) if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n![\"overhead](\"https:\/\/amyshealthybaking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/peanut-butter-protein-balls-2525.jpg\")
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During my childhood summers, my brother and I stayed with a sitter most mornings each week while both of our parents worked. We read books, played board games, and ventured outside into the backyard to soar as high as our legs could pump us on our sturdy wooden swing set.<\/p>\n
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Before heading out the door, Mom usually encouraged us to eat a snack. In our excitement \u2014 and desire to maximize our pool time! \u2014 we generally skipped the crackers, pretzels, or apple slices\u2026 Those took too long to finish, at least in our (youngster) eyes!<\/p>\n
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And these healthy peanut butter protein balls<\/strong><\/span> remind me of those! Their sweet peanutty flavor transports me right back to those fun summer afternoons.<\/p>\n
\u00a0 <\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nQUICK OVERVIEW \u2013 HEALTHY NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nINGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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Powdered peanut butter.<\/strong><\/span> That\u2019s right\u2026 There\u2019s a second type of peanut butter in these healthy protein balls! In addition to creamy peanut butter, you\u2019ll also add powdered peanut butter<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Protein powder.<\/strong><\/span> To boost the protein content of these energy bites even more, you\u2019ll also add soy protein powder<\/a>. It\u2019s one of my all-time favorite protein powders! Soy protein powder is virtually flavorless with no other ingredients (unlike many other plant-based and whey-based options that often include sweeteners, gums, or flavorings) and it works really well in energy balls<\/a>, smoothies<\/a>, and even edible protein cookie dough<\/a>. (\u2190 Yup, I have recipes for all of those!)<\/p>\n
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Sweetener.<\/strong><\/span> I turned to liquid stevia<\/a> to sweeten these peanut butter protein balls. Stevia is a plant-based, no-calorie sweetener that contains nothing overly refined or artificial (aka it\u2019s clean eating friendly!), and it\u2019s also highly concentrated. You only need \u00bd teaspoon to sweeten this entire batch!<\/p>\n
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Salt.<\/strong><\/span> This might be the most underrated ingredient in this entire recipe! With my first batch, I skipped the salt to minimize ingredients and streamline the process. Since my creamy peanut butter already contained salt, I figured that would be good enough. Yet when I sampled the first protein ball, it tasted\u2026 Bland. Blah. And kind of flat. I knew<\/em> it had two types of peanut butter \u2014 not just one! \u2014 but even so, it didn\u2019t taste nearly as strong or nutty as those \u201cpeanut butter spoons\u201d from my childhood.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nHOW TO MAKE HEALTHY NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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One-bowl method.<\/strong><\/span> To make this recipe simple and straightforward, I opted for the \u201cone-bowl\u201d method. You\u2019ll mix together the wet ingredients until they\u2019re homogenous, pour in the dry ones, and stir until they\u2019re incorporated. Easy peasy \u2014 and fewer dishes to wash too!<\/p>\n
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Roll.<\/strong><\/span> Again, super simple! Grab a small amount of the mixture from the bowl, pop it into your hand, and roll it into a ball between your palms. I aim for bite-sized spheres about 1\u201d in diameter. You\u2019re welcome to make yours larger or smaller, if you prefer! The mixture may stick to your hands a bit, so wipe them clean with a damp paper towel as needed.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\nFAQS ABOUT HEALTHY NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes \u2014 to everything! These protein balls are naturally gluten-free, vegan (aka dairy-free and egg-free!), sugar-free, low calorie, low carb, and clean eating friendly. Plant-based and low fat too! They\u2019re also made with no oats, no dates, no honey, and no whey.<\/p>\n
Natural-style creamy peanut butter! I recommend my super easy homemade peanut butter<\/a> \u2014 or, if you prefer store-bought, choose one that contains just peanuts and salt. (See the \u201cCreamy peanut butter\u201d header in the \u201cIngredients to Make Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls\u201d section above for more info!)
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If you do, I can\u2019t guarantee the results. Many protein powder brands and products behave differently in both no-bake and baking recipes, so swapping in another one can produce drastically<\/em> different results in the taste and texture. See the \u201cProtein powder\u201d header in the \u201cIngredients to Make Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls\u201d section above for a lot more information about this!<\/p>\n
This recipe was specifically designed for protein powder. I haven\u2019t tried omitting it, so I\u2019m not personally sure and don\u2019t want to lead you astray. If you do end up experimenting on your own and substituting something else (maybe more powdered peanut butter or something like oat flour?), I\u2019d love to hear about the results!
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What about the powdered peanut butter? Can I skip that?<\/strong><\/span>
I don\u2019t recommend it. This recipe was specifically designed for powdered peanut butter as well, and it provides flavor, texture, and protein. Just like with the protein powder, I haven\u2019t tried omitting it and can\u2019t personally vouch for the results. You\u2019re welcome to experiment on your own, but keep in mind that your protein balls may have a different texture and won\u2019t taste nearly as peanutty without it!<\/p>\n
Yes! I\u2019ve included how to adapt this recipe to use other sweeteners (like pure maple syrup<\/a>, honey<\/a>, and agave<\/a> \u2014\u00a0 plus more!) in the Notes section of the recipe.
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My mixture was too dry and crumbly to shape into balls. What should I do?<\/strong><\/span>
Add more water! And make sure you\u2019re (a) using creamy peanut butter, (b) using the same protein powder that I do, and (c) measuring all of the ingredients correctly. Changing those are the most common culprits that result in a rather dry and crumbly mixture. (See the \u201cCreamy peanut butter\u201d and \u201cProtein powder\u201d headers in the \u201cIngredients to Make Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls\u201d section above, plus the \u201cMeasure correctly\u201d header in the \u201cHow to Make Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls\u201d Section, for more info about each one!)<\/p>\n
Did you substitute whey-based protein powder? That\u2019s the #1 reason! Because it\u2019s much less absorbent, whey-based protein powder yields a mixture that\u2019s really liquidy, gloopy, and virtually impossible to roll into balls. Some other plant-based protein powders are also less absorbent than soy protein powder, so the mixture can be wetter and stickier if you use one of those as well.<\/p>\n
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last for at least a few days, if not closer to a week or more!
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My childhood self would go nuts<\/em> ( \ud83d\ude09 ) for these protein balls \u2014 just like my present-day adult self! And when you make your own, would you mind leaving a comment and rating the recipe? (You can also snap a picture and share it with me on Facebook<\/a>!) I\u2019d love to hear what you think of these healthy no-bake peanut butter protein balls!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPeanut Butter Protein Balls<\/h2>\n