Peanut Butter Protein Balls

There are so many wide varieties of snacks available in the market, and the choices are always confusing, but as we know, it is good to opt for healthy ones. One of the healthy snacks that you can make in the comfort of your own home is peanut butter protein balls.¹

Peanut butter protein balls are a mixture of peanut butter and protein powder with a lot of nuts, seeds, and many more that are completely packed with goodies. Energy balls are one of the most nutritious snacks one can ever make because they have the power to curb one’s hunger and keep your hunger at bay for longer.

Many peanut butter protein ball recipes are easy to make and are also a perfect post-workout snack cuisine. Here are some of the basic ingredients available on the market to make peanut butter protein balls, but if you want to, you can make natural peanut butter to make the peanut butter protein balls.

This can be your favorite healthy snack if you love peanut butter but feel free to substitute it for almond butter cashew butter or even sunflower butter if you prefer it for healthy snacking as well.

1. Basic Ingredients

There are five essential ingredients used to make peanut butter protein balls. These energy bites are easy to make whether you want to bake or even if you prefer not to bake them. These five ingredients are enough for making peanut butter balls and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

1.1. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is the main ingredient to make peanut butter balls without any question. The best thing about using nut butter is that while you can buy them from the market, you can also try making them from scratch at home on your own accord.

Making peanut butter is the easiest thing because all you need is some peanuts and a food processor. To make your homemade peanut butter, all you guys have to do is add your bowl of dry roasted peanuts to your food processor and turn it on for at least five minutes.

You will notice your peanuts turn from crumbs to a creamy and smooth texture during this time. So make sure while it is in the food processor, it turns out to be drippy nut butter. If you didn’t get the consistency of drippy peanut butter, then you can add a dash of coconut oil. You can refrigerate your creamy peanut butter or store it in a mason jar at room temperature.

If you want, you can alternate the peanuts to almonds or cashews to make almond butter or cashew butter. Still, if you are unfortunately allergic to nut butter, you can try making sunflower seed butter.

1.2. Protein Powder

The secret to making peanut butter protein balls lies in the protein powder you add to the mixing bowl before mixing it all up. Protein powders can be added to several foods like smoothies, cookies, and many more because they make a delicious and easy container of extra protein intake every day.

Proteins are a basic need in everyone’s diet because they help lose weight, gain muscles, improve sports performance, among many other health benefits. And one of the best ways to protein intake is by adding protein powder in your snack to make protein snacks.

Some protein powders are whey protein powder, unflavored protein powder, mocha protein powder, and chocolate protein powder. You can opt for any protein powder of your choice before adding it to your peanut butter protein balls.

Protein powder is the best way to get your daily protein amount among other foods. A healthy dose of protein every day will help you lose weight². So always keep some protein in your pantry to maintain a good diet.³

If you are not a big fan of store-bought protein powder, then you can take some flax seeds to make some flaxseed meal or substitute with ground chia seeds. Flaxseed meal and chia seeds are other great and natural protein sources, among other health benefits.

1.3. Rolled Oats

To make this delicious and filling snack, sure to have some rolled oats handy because this is another best ingredient you can add to your peanut butter protein balls. But if you don’t have rolled oats, you can use some raw oats if that’s what you want.

Oats act as a binder in your peanut butter protein balls that hold the energy balls together. Since they soak up extra moisture if available, they hold the energy balls together, so it is good to have some rolled oats in your peanut butter protein balls. And if you want to use certified gluten-free oats, it is up to you.

1.4. Maple Syrup

Another critical ingredient that comprises peanut butter protein balls is maple syrup. While you can use honey, maple syrup is the best addition to the peanut butter protein balls ingredient. It acts as a sweetener and also as a liquid binder.

Maple syrup is an essential ingredient while making protein balls. It helps in holding the elements together, and if you add a tad bit extra, then the rolled oats will help balance the consistency.

1.5. Extra Ingredients

Apart from these four vital ingredients, making peanut butter protein balls can be ranged from seasonal recipes to basic additions like:

• Chia seeds
• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Mini chocolate chips
• Dried cranberries
• Flax seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Chopped almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc.

2. How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Now that you know the basic peanut butter protein balls ingredients, here are some bake and no-bake energy bites that you can try making at home for a quick bite to keep you full for longer. These recipes can always be customized to your liking and your taste preference so you can enjoy them as you like.

All these recipes contain healthy fats such as saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and monounsaturated fat in a healthy dose, so do not hesitate to make them because as much as they are delicious, they contain the most healthy fats one can get from a snack.

Peanut butter is the basic nut butter most people prefer, but you can always switch it up with other nut butter like almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower butter, and many more. You can always make nut butter at home, but if you want it to be readily available in store, then that is up to you.

These five no-bake and easy recipes are easy and quick to make at home. There require storing the fridge or the freezer for a little while so they can maintain their texture and shape for you to enjoy it easily.

2.1. Basic Peanut Butter Protein Balls

This is the basic peanut butter protein balls recipe that you can easily make at your home’s convenience and store in batches so you can enjoy it whenever you want. This great recipe is done in under fifteen minutes or so.

2.1.1. Ingredients

• Rolled oats, one cup
• Peanut butter, 1/4 cup
• Maple syrup, 1/4 cup
• Protein powder (your choice), two tablespoons
• Chopped nuts (your choice), 1/2 cup
• Vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon

2.1.2. Recipe

• To make these basic peanut butter no-bake protein balls, start by taking a large mixing bowl and adding the rolled oats to it.
• Next, take your peanut butter, and add it to the rolled oats. To make sure that your protein balls stick together, be sure to use drippy peanut butter.
• Add all kinds available in your pantry or even as per your choice to make the protein ball more customizable and enjoyable.
• Then, add your maple syrup and the protein powder of your choice and finally the pinch of salt and the vanilla extract.
• Wet your hands before you start mix mixing all the ingredients. Using your hands is the best way to determine if your peanut butter dough is dry and if it is, adds a little more maple syrup to make the perfect dough.
• Use a spoon or a scoop to scoop dough from the batch and roll them into balls in your hands.
• Finally, store your no-bake peanut butter protein balls in the fridge for a week or up until you finish the whole batch of protein balls.
• Optional: If you want, you can add some mini chocolate chips, dried and chopped apricots, or cranberries to your protein balls if you want.

2.2. Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Protein Balls:

Peanut butter protein balls can also be as simple as this recipe, for which you only need an extra ingredient of coconut flour to make the whole recipe gluten-free. This is another recipe that takes under fifteen to finish cooking.

2.2.1. Ingredients

• Peanut butter, 1 cup
• Maple syrup, three tablespoons
• Protein powder (your choice), two tablespoons
• Coconut flour, 1/2 cup

2.2.2. Recipe

• To make this recipe, take a medium bowl to mix all the ingredients.
• To the medium bowl, start adding all the peanut butter to begin making coconut flour peanut butter balls.
• Next, add the maple syrup to the peanut butter and mix both of them thoroughly to form a drippy texture.
• Add your coconut flour to the peanut butter and maple syrup mixture slowly by slowly so that when you are mixing them up, you do not make your cooking counter dirty.
• Finally, add your protein powder as you mix the coconut flour.
• If your batch is a little bit wetter than usual, add a little more coconut flour to even it out, and if it is a little drier than usual, then even the batch by adding maple syrup.
• Use a spoon or a scoop to scoop dough from the batch and roll them into balls in your hands.
• Finally, store your no-bake protein balls in the fridge for a week or up until you finish the whole batch of it.

2.3. Flax Seed Peanut Butter Protein Balls

This peanut butter protein balls recipe has flax seed in it that you can make easily at the convenience of your home and store it in batches, so you can enjoy it whenever you want. This great recipe is done in under fifteen minutes or so.

Flaxseed helps you add a lot of fiber to your energy bites along with its protein content. It helps in your digestion and also helps in maintaining weight.

2.3.1. Ingredients

• Peanut butter, 1/2 cup
• Honey, 1/4 cup
• Protein powder (your choice), two tablespoons
• Flaxseed meal, 1/3 cup
• Cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon
• Vanilla extract, one teaspoon
• Shredded coconut flakes, 1/4 cup
• Chopped nuts (your choice), 1/2 cup
• Mini chocolate chips, one tablespoon

2.3.2. Recipe

• Take your food processor and add the peanut butter, honey, protein powder, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to it. Keep pulsing the ingredient till you get the consistency of your choice, or you can keep pulsing all the way through till they are all mashed in a dough consistency.
• Once the dough is at the consistency of your wish, you can add the coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips, and the chopped nuts, mix it all up before you take a scoop to roll the balls and store it in a fridge for a week or you can freeze it for almost a month.
• If you want the nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes to be finely minced, then you can pulse them in the food processor with the rest of the peanut butter dough till it is all mixed thoroughly before you can scoop them out in a medium-sized scoop. Roll the mixture in a ball and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

2.4. Dates Peanut Butter Protein Balls

This nut butter protein ball recipe is one of the delicious recipes that you can make at home with Medjool Dates as an extra ingredient. They are rich in antioxidants and fiber content, and besides being a natural sweetener, they help promote better bone health and help control blood sugar levels. This particular type of date has so many nutrition services in just a couple of them.

You need a food processor to make it in less than twenty minutes for this recipe.

2.4.1. Ingredients

• Peanut butter, 1/4 cup
• Honey, 1/2 cup
• Protein powder (your choice), two tablespoons
• Rolled oats, 1/2 cup
• Medjool dates, 1 1/3 cup (pitted)
• Chocolate chips, 1/4 cups

2.4.2. Recipe

• To make the dates peanut butter protein balls, take a food processor and add the dates. Pulse the pitted Medjool dates till they are finely minced.
• Then, and add the dry and wet ingredients to it. Add the peanut butter, honey, protein powder, and oats in it to pulse all of them together till they are combined enough to form the consistency of staying together. Pulse them in the processor for at least 30 seconds. If they don’t stick, the mixture is dry, then add a little more honey to make the perfect dough. If you want to make the protein ball gluten-free, you can swap your oats gluten-free oats.
• Finally, add chocolate chips to the mixture or protein balls.
• Wet your hands, and using a scoop or a tablespoon, scoop a ball and, using your wet hands form little balls roughly into the shape of a golf ball.
• The other optional serving method is not to mix the chocolate chips once the mixture is done, instead take the chocolate chips and melt them in a pan over low heat. When the chips have melted nicely. Wet your hands, and using a scoop or a tablespoon, scoop a ball and, using your wet hands form little balls roughly into the shape of a golf ball.
• Finally, take the protein balls one by one and roll them in the melted chocolate. And if you are feeling fancy, sprinkle some crushed nuts on it. Now, set them in the freezer to harden around the balls.

3. Conclusion

Making these nut butter balls are the easiest thing you can do in the comfort of your home because all you need are your hands and food processor if you want to mix it up. While peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and vitamin B-6, it can also be substituted for other nut butter like almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds. All these recipes are quick and easy to make which minimal concentration.

Many of you question how many calories a protein ball consists of, and the answer is that it depends upon the recipe, but usually, a protein ball consists of 126 calories. They are fit for a quick snack or breakfast toppings, or even a couple of them are perfect for dessert. They are one of the healthiest meals one can make at home.

FAQ

1. How long do peanut butter protein balls last?

A: The shelf life of peanut butter protein balls can vary depending on the ingredients used and storage conditions. Generally, when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they can last for up to 1 to 2 weeks. If frozen, they can last for several months. It’s always a good idea to check for any signs of spoilage⁴ before consuming.

2. Can I freeze peanut butter protein balls?

A: Yes, you can freeze peanut butter protein balls. Freezing them can extend their shelf life, and they can be stored in the freezer for several months. Make sure to place them in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain their texture and flavor.

3. Can I customize the recipe for peanut butter protein balls?

A: Absolutely! Peanut butter protein balls are highly customizable. You can add various ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Some popular additions include chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or spices like cinnamon. You can experiment with different flavors and textures to create your own unique variations.

Read more

1. Lusas, E. W. “Food uses of peanut protein.” Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society 56.3Part3 (1979): 425-430. ↩︎
2. Dyson, Pam. “Motivating people to lose weight: self-help and treatment.” Journal of Diabetes Nursing 8.9 (2004): 335-339. ↩︎
3. Chapman, Katarzyna. “Can people make healthy changes to their diet and maintain them in the long term? A review of the evidence.” Appetite 54.3 (2010): 433-441. ↩︎
4. Guerrero-Legarreta, Isabel. “Spoilage detection.” Handbook of processed meats and poultry analysis (2009): 446-456. ↩︎

Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by ayeshayusuf