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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These turned out wonderful – we made the coconut ones and the cinnamon raisin and loved them both!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that! :) Thanks for your comment!
Can you supply the macronutrients for this recipe? They’re amazing but hard to track :(
I don’t have that info but you could use this recipe analyzer for the nutritional profile.
This looks soooo good. I am on a weight loss journey as well and snacks is where I fall short sometimes. I have a 5 and 6 six year old so you can imagine the goodies I’m tempted with. I’ll try this recipe. Who know maybe the kiddies will like it too!
I hope that you and the kids will enjoy them! I think they’re pretty kid-friendly. :) Thanks for your comment!
Just made this. It looked beautiful, tasted great!
I’m glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for the feedback!
Just made this. It looked beautiful, tasted great.
I’m glad to hear that! Thanks for your feedback. :)
With its benefits I can call it magic ball, great recipe and this easy make I can make some then keep it for week. Many thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy them. :)
I like that the first photo is of the finished product. Gave me the kick I needed to try it out. My kids love them. It’s their new favorite snack. Thanks Erin.
I’m really happy that your kids liked them so much! Thanks for the feedback. :)
I use a recipe a lot like this one. I keep the balls in the freezer in a zip lock bag. They are delish when they are that cold.
These are also great frozen! Thanks for the tip. :)
Can you eat them right after you make them or do you have to wait 1 week – 3 days?
You can eat them right away. You can store them at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for 1 week. :)
Can I add another half cup of oats instead of coconut? I don’t like coconut
Yes! You may need a little more or less than 1/2 cup. Just add a bit at a time until you like the consistency. :)
Thanks so much, I can’t wait to try it
You’re welcome! Enjoy. :)
Do you have nutrition information? These are my new favorite snack but I would love to keep track of them in my food diary fitness app
I don’t have that info but you could use this recipe analyzer for the nutritional profile. :)
Love them! What is the nutritional value of one? Calories?
I’m glad you love them! I don’t have that info but you could use this recipe analyzer for the nutritional profile. :)
This is such a great snack! I made a batch today and made it with almond butter instead of peanut butter and it came out so amazing. Great recipe and can’t wait to keep making this one!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that. :) Thanks for your comment!
Erin, thank you for sharing this! I have made this so many times. Everyone that tries it, loves it!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy everyone loves it. Thanks for your comment! :)
I crew on sail boats and I made these one day for a race. At first no one was really interested in them. I thought wow I got all these balls I have to bring back home. After a couple of hrs, my container was handed back to me empty. They were asking were there any more left? haha. New snack for the crew!!
Haha. This made me laugh. I’m so happy that the tupperware was returned empty! Thanks for your comment. :)
I love this recipe and my roommates are now obsessed with them. So I have to make them weekly.
Haha. I’m glad that they’re obsessed. :) Thanks for your comment!
Erin, this looks wonderful! I’ll try it today. Thank you for sharing!
I hope you enjoyed them! Thanks for your comment. :)
Thanks! Made this last night so quick, easy and tasty!
I’m glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your comment. :)
Great recipe. You know, I really like it when in the beginning there is a small Preface and most importantly – a photo of the finished dish. When I saw what was going to happen, I immediately said to myself – “Lisa, you will do it!”. To be honest, I did it the second time, but look like the photo you have. Was lucky to order all integritty in one place!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them! :)
Erin, what a gorgeous peanut butter protein balls! Your directions make this seem like such an easy approach, too. I would love to make this soon!
Thanks a bunch. :) I hope you’ll like them as much as we did!