These 6-ingredient peanut butter protein balls only take a few minutes to throw together and are full of healthful ingredients! Naturally gluten-free, whole grain, dairy-free and with a vegan option.
Just basic ingredients
There’s loads of good stuff in these protein balls. Tons of natural peanut butter plus a bit of raw honey (or brown rice syrup for a vegan option), oats and coconut.
And of course, some mini chocolate chips because… why not? ;) Feel free to omit them if you want to limit your sugar.
Make sure to use the kind of peanut butter that just contains peanuts and salt. If you use a brand that has added fat and sugar, these peanut butter balls likely won’t turn out well. You’d also be adding a ton of fat (and probably not the healthy kind) and sugar!
So easy that kids can make them alone
To make these peanut butter protein balls, all you do is dump the ingredients into a bowl and roll the mixture into balls. It’s not an especially sticky mixture so you’ll have to squeeze them together to get the balls to hold together.
I’ve made these peanut butter protein balls a number of times with the exact same ingredients (as in from the same package) and the very small amount of water I needed to add to hold the mixture together varied each time (hence the range in the measurement given).
also discovered that instead of using additional water to bring together the mixture, vanilla extract’s a tasty alternative!
Prefer something more cookie-like but don’t want to turn on the oven? Try these no-bake oatmeal cookies! They’re also 100% whole grain and naturally gluten-free + vegan. And seriously – they’re one of my favorite recipes.
Peanut butter sub?
Wondering how to make peanut butter? All you need is 1 ingredient and a food processor!
But if you can’t have or don’t have peanut butter or peanuts on hand, you can experiment with other nut butters. I’ve tried today’s recipe with sunflower seed butter and it worked great. But I’m not sure about other nut butters.
They’re not always 100% interchangeable so I can’t say for sure if other types would work in these protein bites. That’s why I called it an experiment. ;) But I’m quite sure they’d be fine wth other types.
I can tell you that almond butter works amazingly well in these bliss balls, as does sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. They’re like a chocolate version of this recipe and truly so delicious.
For a grain-free chocolate version, try these chocolate peanut butter protein balls. If you use cashew butter, then you’ve got youself some paleo protein balls. :)
Vegan option
Honey is quite a bit stickier and thicker than maple syrup and that’s why I only have brown rice syrup listed as a honey sub for this recipe.
I tried these balls with maple syrup but they fell apart more easily. So that’s why I recommend brown rice syrup.
If you give these peanut butter protein balls a try, I’d love to hear what you think!
And here are some resources if you’re new to the vegan or gluten-free diet:
- Are Oats Gluten-free?
- Is Honey Gluten-free?
- Are Chocolate Chips Gluten-free?
- Are Chocolate Chips Vegan?
- Is Peanut Butter Gluten-free?
- Is Peanut Butter Vegan?
Peanut Butter Protein Balls (gluten-free, vegan, whole grain, dairy-free)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 24 1" balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup (256 grams) natural peanut butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free (the kind with just peanuts / seeds and salt)
- 1/4 cup (80 grams) honey or 1/4 cup brown rice syrup for a vegan version
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (135 grams) rolled oats (use gluten-free oats, if needed)
- 1/2 cup (42 grams) unsweetened shredded coconut
- pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup (57 grams) mini chocolate chips (use vegan chocolate chips, if needed)
- 2-4 teaspoons water or additional vanilla extract
Directions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, brown rice syrup or honey and vanilla extract.
- Stir in the oats, coconut and salt until well combined and then add the chocolate chips. If the mixture doesn’t hold together well when pinched together, add the additional water or vanilla, a teaspoon at a time until the mixture holds together well when pinched.
- Form 1” balls by pressing about 1 tablespoon of the mixture together.
- Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for 1 week.
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255 comments on “Peanut Butter Protein Balls (gluten-free, vegan options)” — Add one!
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Does anyone know the nutritional value on these such as calories and protein sugars etc.
I don’t have that info but you can copy and paste the recipe here for the nutritional profile, if you’d like. :)
I just made these using crunchy natural peanut butter. Out of chocolate chips so added a little extra honey (less than tbsp) and organic pumpkin seeds. Along with the organic old fashioned oats and coconut I added 2 tbsp of cocoa powder. I had to add a little more water to get a good mixture but it is delicious! Taking to Zumba to celebrate the instructor’s birthday.
Yum! Adding cocoa powder always a good idea. ;) That’s great that it worked out well here. I hope that they were enjoyed at Zumba! Thanks a bunch for your feedback. :)
Can these be frozen and saved fir a later time?
They can! Hope you’ll enjoy them. :)
I’ve made these a few times you can add & substitute a number of ingredients I used almond &/or cashew butter I also used sunflowerseeds you can use dates raises dried apricots etc you can use agave syrup or maple syrup instead of honey I used 1/2 cup of coconut oil & 8 fig cookies or 8 dates or 1/4-1/2 cup of raisens also any chips can be used peanutbutter chips or toffee bits In its hot outside (summer) freezing works great chef Denise
Those are some great subs! Thanks for sharing with us. I love the peanut butter chips and toffee bits idea especially. :) Thanks for your comment!
These look so amazing! I love peanut butter balls – especially when you can just dump all of the ingredients into one bowl! It makes it so simple, and they last about a week in our house as a sweet treat after dinner. Thank you for such a simple and tasty recipe!!
You’re welcome! I hope you’ll get the chance to try these out. I’m also a fan of recipes where you just dump everything into a bowl. ;) Thanks for your comment!
Oh Erin, I’d have a hard time eating eating just one or two! They look delicious… and I love bite sized snacks!
I almost didn’t make these because they are so much like some of your other protein ball recipes but we buried my grandmother this week and I needed a pick me up so I made them. I used unsalted pb (because I accidentally picked up unsalted bleh) and added a bunch of salt to it. Used half creamed honey (it was all I had) and half maple brown rice syrup and used a mix of white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Love, Love, Love….I was stuffed before I ever got to the funeral home…because I um…ate WAY too many of them before leaving the house. Hey, at least I indulged in a fairly healthy manner.
I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. I’m glad that you gave the recipe a try and that it didn’t let you down. And I agree with you – at least it was a fairly healthy indulging session. Much better than downing three 500-calorie cookies, for example. ;) Thanks for your comment!
I could use a small bowlful of these in my office…I’ll bet I’d be fueled to get the days work done!
These would be great to take on trips! I’ll need to make a batch before heading to the airport :)
Energy bites have become my latest obsession! These look incredible!
Glad we’re back to the sweets again! Especially because I’m on a diet and can actually eat these ones! ;)
6-ingredients is my kind of recipe! I love these! i really do need to make some to take to the office.
These are everything I love and MORE! So many delicious ingredients in one healthy treat!
I love this combination, its SO delicious!! I can’t wait to try these!!
Thanks! I hope you’ll enjoy them!
I love snacks like these – I’m totally making these with my kids tomorrow, they’ll have a blast!
Yay! I hope you’ll all enjoy them!
Protein balls are my latest obsession, and I’m definitely going to have to give these a try!!
They’re pretty awesome, right?! Hope you’ll enjoy them!
Protein balls are so great to have on hand. My kids always grab one or two before running off to their afternoon activities.
I totally agree!
I just love peanut butter (and almond butter!)and need a snack like this almost every morning. I have to try them with brown rice syrup, so curious to see how the flavor would be!!
I’d love to hear what you think about them!
Yes! I love sweet treats (a little too much), so I’m happy to have a fun, tasty & healthy option these days. Can’t wait to make a batch!
Haha. I guess most of us do. ;)
These are the kinds of snacks I love to have on hand for my kids! So healthy and so good!
I hope you’ll give these a try! :)
I need to make these protein balls! I love peanut butter and chocolate together!
Same here! And I hope you’ll enjoy them. :)