Next time you have a snack attack, reach for one of these no bake energy balls. Made WITHOUT protein powder, each ball has 5 grams of protein + fiber and healthy fats! They’re jam packed with nutritious ingredients including oats, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and peanut butter. Pop one or two for a protein boost that’ll keep you full until your next meal. 10 minutes of easy prep time and you’ve got a healthy snack for the week!

plate with no bake energy balls surrounded by little bowls of ingredients

As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, I will ALWAYS encourage snacking in between meals if you feel hungry.

A well-balanced snack that will actually keep you full for an hour or two has (surprise!) the same components of a well-balanced meal: some protein, some fiber, and some healthy fats!

Just like my no bake granola energy balls, these no bake peanut butter protein bites are a satisfying snack option you can meal prep and keep in your fridge.

no bake protein balls ingredients measured out in little bowls on a wooden cutting board

No protein powder!? Where does all the protein come from?

While there is certainly a time and place for protein powder, adding it to high protein recipes feels a little bit like cheating to me 👀 .

So, I’ve become an expert at clever ingredient combinations to deliver adequate protein from whole food sources in my recipes.

no bake protein balls on a tray

Most of the protein in these no bake peanut butter protein balls comes from:

  • Old fashioned oats provide 10 grams of protein to this recipe.
  • Creamy peanut butter delivers 42 grams of protein to this recipe. I prefer to use natural peanut butter, but regular peanut butter works just fine.
  • Hemp seeds contribute 25 grams of protein to this recipe.
  • Pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) provide 20 grams of protein to this recipe.

Let’s make protein balls together

chopped pepitas
1. Rough chop the pumpkin seeds/pepitas.
dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
2. Add all the dry ingredients to a medium mixing bowl – lots of crunchy, nutty, and chocolatey goodies!
wet ingredients in mixing bowl
3. Add the wet ingredients to the mixing bowl – this stuff acts as the glue to hold the protein balls together.
no bake protein balls dough mixed up in mixing ball
4. Mix everything up together to form your “dough”.
no bake protein balls dough mixed up in mixing ball
5. Pop the bowl in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This allows the dough to firm up, which makes forming it into balls a breeze.
20 protein balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
6. Roll up your balls! Use your hands to form about 20 protein balls.

It’s best to store these protein balls in the fridge so they stay nice and firm.

Let me know if you love this post by leaving a comment or star rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!

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plate with no bake energy balls surrounded by little bowls of ingredients

No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls (5 g protein)

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  • Author: Alex Aldeborgh, RD
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Fridge Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 20 balls 1x
  • Category: Snacks
  • Method: No bake
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Next time you have a snack attack, reach for one of these no bake energy balls. Made WITHOUT protein powder, each ball has 5 grams of protein + fiber and healthy fats! They’re jam packed with nutritious ingredients including oats, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and peanut butter. Pop one or two for a protein boost that’ll keep you full until your next meal. 10 minutes of easy prep time and you’ve got a healthy snack for the week!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds/pepitas, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (natural: only ingredients should be peanuts and salt)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
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Instructions

  1. Add the oats, hemp seeds, chopped pumpkin seeds, chocolate chips, cinnamon, and salt to a medium mixing bowl. Mix together.
  2. Add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix again until well combined to form your thick “dough”.
  3. Place the mixing bowl in the fridge for 1-2 hours, allowing the dough to firm up.
  4. Line a small baking tray or platter with parchment paper.
  5. Scoop out some dough using a tablespoon, and use your hands to roll the dough into about 20 balls. Each ball should weigh about 33 grams, with a diameter of 4-5 cm long.

Notes

Store these protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Disclaimer

As a Registered Dietitian, I create nutritionally-balanced recipes using whole food ingredients to promote good health and well-being.  Additionally, I am a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. My nutrition philosophy encompasses an all-foods-fit approach, and I do not promote tracking calories, macronutrients, or other numbers. Nevertheless, I understand that this information can be educational and helpful for some people.

I cannot guarantee complete accuracy of the nutrition information provided here, as these numbers are estimates. Nutrition is individualized. If you have specific nutrition needs, please consult your physician or a Registered Dietitian. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ball
  • Calories: 155
  • Sugar: 2.4 g added sugar
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13.7 g
  • Fiber: 1.2 g
  • Protein: 5.2 g