These peanut chocolate protein balls are the easiest, most delicious treat you can whip up! The best part about these oat and peanut butter balls? They take just 20 minutes to put together. The better part? The fudgy no-bake energy bites are so tasty they’re gone in seconds!
I have kids that firmly fall in the “forever-hungry” zone. So, my pantry needs quick snacks and pick-me-ups at all times. Just like my peanut butter oat cups, these fabulous, fudgy, bite-sized, no-bake peanut butter balls fit the bill perfectly.
If you love a quick, healthy snack that tastes like dessert, the chocolate peanut butter balls will become your new favorite! They’re packed with peanut butter, chocolate, and just the right amount of sweetness—like a Snickers bar but way better!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for meal prep, pre- or post-workout fuel, or whenever that chocolate craving hits!
Super, super, super simple to make - no baking, no fuss, just mix, roll, and enjoy.
Refined-sugar-free and rich in protein to keep you going.
A make-ahead, no-bake recipe that we all need.
Chocolate PB Protein Balls Ingredients
Oats: I used rolled oats like I did for my chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies, which work well. Make sure you use certified gluten-free oats to make gluten-free oats and peanut butter balls.
Peanut Butter: I like to use natural peanut butter. Stir it well before adding to the ingredients. A regular, commercial-brand peanut butter will also do as long as you melt it. We need a dripping consistency for this no-bake peanut butter balls recipe.
Sweetener: Maple syrup, honey, agave syrup, or date syrup – all of them work in adding sweetness and binding the dough.
Protein powder: I used a plant-based protein powder in chocolate flavor. Feel free to use your favorite brand.
Oil: I used melted coconut oil to help bind all the ingredients.
Milk: Don’t have homemade almond milk? Use oat milk or regular milk.
Chocolate: I love 70% dark chocolate. I melted it to make chocolate-covered peanut butter balls. You can use whichever chocolate you love, or completely skip it.
Toppings are optional. I choose crushed peanuts for that extra texture and sea salt to balance the sweetness.
Protein Balls Variations
Nut butter: Not a peanut butter fan? No problem! Swap it out for almond, walnut, pecan, or cashew butter—whatever you love. Need a nut-free option? Sunflower seed butter works perfectly.
Seeds: Toss in some chia or flax seeds for an extra boost to these chocolate peanut butter protein balls.
If you’d rather skip the protein powder, just swap it for an equal amount of oats to make chewy oatmeal peanut butter protein balls. You can also mix in some dried fruit for a little natural sweetness. There’s no wrong way to customize these!
How To Make Peanut Chocolate Protein Balls
Step 1: Combine rolled oats, cocoa powder, and protein powder in a blender or food processor and process until you get a fine powder.
Step 2: Add peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and almond milk.
Step 3: Mix well to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. You may need to add more almond milk.
Step 4: Form into 14 even-sized balls.Place on a parchment tray and place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.
Step 5: Dip each ball into the melted chocolate.
Step 6: Top with crushed peanuts and sea salt. Refrigerate for 10 minutes until set. Enjoy!
Top Tips
- You can add more peanut butter to make the energy balls more soft and gooey.
- Oats flour can be used instead of rolled oats.
- Use any kind of protein powder you prefer. I added chocolate-flavored vegan protein powder. Even collagen powder will work here.
- Up the nutritional boost by mixing in chia seeds or flax seeds. Keep them whole or use them in powdered form.
- Add more almond milk if the "dough" feels too dry and crumbly.
Recipe FAQs
Use plant-based protein powder and stick to maple or agave syrup instead of honey.
Yes, you can! Mix in unflavored collagen powder.
Once rolled, peanut chocolate protein balls are ready to eat right away. You can store them in the fridge in an air-tight container for an easy grab-and-go snack for 4 to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving.
Yes, these are freezer-friendly without the chocolate coating and keep well for 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge before serving.
I wanted to make protein peanut butter balls covered in chocolate. It’s optional, but I highly recommend it. The extra indulgence of dipping in dark chocolate makes them irresistible.
📖 Recipe
Peanut Chocolate Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup Rolled Oats
- 1 tbsp Cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup Protein powder
- 3 tbsp Maple syrup/honey
- 1.5 tbsp Coconut oil, melted
- 5 tbsp Peanut butter
- 4 tbsp Almond milk You may need more
- 1/2 cup Dark chocolate (70%), melted
Topping ( optional)
- Crushed peanuts and sea salt
Instructions
- Place oats, protein powder, and cocoa powder in your food processor/blender. Blend until you get a fine powder.
- Add peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and almond milk. Mix well.You may need to add more almond milk (1 tbsp at a time) to get a soft, pliable dough.
- Taste and adjust for sweetness. Form into 14 even-sized balls. Place on a parchment tray and place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.
- Dip each ball into the melted chocolate, and sprinkle some crushed peanuts and sea salt. Return to the fridge for a few minutes until set. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can add more peanut butter to make the energy balls more soft and gooey.
- Oats flour can be used instead of rolled oats.
- Use any kind of protein powder you prefer. I added chocolate-flavored vegan protein powder. Even collagen powder will work here.
- Up the nutritional boost by mixing in chia seeds or flax seeds. Keep them whole or use them in powdered form.
- Add more almond milk if the "dough" feels too dry and crumbly.
Ashika |Gardening Foodie says
What an amazing recipe this is. You are so right, chocolate and peanut butter do make a perfect combination, but what I really love about your recipe is that it really good for you, I mean I will eat these by the tons and have a hard time sharing. Thank you for a great recipe. Absolutely love it!!! Definitely saving and pinning!
natashaminocha says
Awwwww... thank you Ashika! Your kind words mean so much to me!I hope you do get to try these out sometime. Please let me know how they worked out for you. Much love
Chandani says
Hi Tasha,
can you please update the recipe with the amount of peanut butter used? would love to try this out as soon as possible-my kids will love these balls 🙂
Thanks.
natashaminocha says
Oooops!! Thanks for pointing this out Chandani. I've updated the recipe. Hope you get to try these out soon. Please do let me know how they worked out for you.
Cheers
Chandani says
sure 🙂 will let you know soon.
btw, we love the rose coconut bliss balls-have already made them twice 🙂
natashaminocha says
Oh that's so wonderful Chandani!! Very glad you like them! 🙂
xoxo
Chandani says
made the peanut butter balls today-these are going to be our new family favourites. I told my 6 years old that these are very healthy and he can have one everyday-he said if they are healthy why can't he eat 2 everyday? ??
Thanks once again!
natashaminocha says
This is so wonderful!! Thank you so so much for trying these out and for your positive feedback. You've made my day! Please tell your little one, he can surely have 2 everyday!! 🙂 much love