These no bake protein balls are made with just a few basic ingredients and are the ultimate treat for peanut butter lovers. It’s like a cross between peanut butter cookies and peanut butter fudge, in portable ball form. Make a batch to have on hand for healthy snacking when a craving strikes!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for protein peanut butter balls, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Peanut Butter – It’s important to use a thick peanut butter like this one — NOT a runny one! Also, use a salted peanut butter, or add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon salt if yours is unsalted. Collagen Protein Powder – Look for a high quality collagen that is unflavored, like this one. Other unsweetened protein powders are also fine to use. You could also use a plant-based protein powder if you prefer a vegan option. Sweetener – I use Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend, which works best in this recipe because it gives the balls sweet flavor without any aftertaste and dissolves well without making them gritty. Other powdered sweeteners can work — see my sugar substitute guide for different types. Keep in mind that you may need to reduce the sweetener if you don’t use Besti, because it dissolves into the peanut butter more than other sweeteners would. Powdered sugar works as well, but is not a healthy option that I’d recommend. Avoid liquid sweeteners, like honey or maple syrup, as they would make the mixture too runny. Vanilla – Use a high quality vanilla extract to bring out the sweetness in these no bake peanut butter protein balls. Peanuts – We’re rolling these protein bites in chopped peanuts to make them easier to handle and to add crunch. Give them a good chop in the food processor or with a sharp knife. You can also try other nuts and seeds like chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, or cashews.
How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls
This section shows how to make protein balls with peanut butter, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Recipe Variations
The base recipe for peanut buttter protein balls needs just 5 ingredients, but you can easily customize them with different add-ins: The consistency of the mixture will vary depending on how thick your peanut butter is. You want the mixture to be dense, but not so dry that it can’t be pressed together. You can do this by washing your hands with cold water.
Chocolate Chip – My favorite to use are these sugar-free dark chocolate chips. You can roll them on the outside instead of chopped peanuts, or stir them into the peanut butter mixture. Peanut-Free – If you have a peanut allergy or don’t like them, you can swap the peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter and the peanuts for almonds (or any other low carb nuts). Most nut butters are more runny, so you’ll need to add more sweetener and protein powder to make the mixture firm enough. Chocolate – Replace 1-2 tablespoons of the collagen powder with cocoa powder. Coconut – Roll these homemade balls in unsweetened coconut flakes instead of (or in addition to) the chopped peanuts. Cinnamon – Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the peanut butter mixture as a starting point and adjust to taste. Dried Fruit – You can fold in dried cranberries or raisins, just keep in mind that these will increase the sugar content.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Freeze: You can freeze no bake protein balls for 3-4 months. Arrange them on a parchment paper lined sheet pan in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They will be firmer out of the freezer, if you prefer that texture.
More Protein Recipes
If you like these protein peanut butter snacks, you might also like some of these other protein recipes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Ebook Bundle!
