No Bake Protein Balls with Sunbutter
No bake protein balls with sunbutter are an easy and delicious snack. They are prepared in less than 10 minutes and will be enjoyed by adults and kids. They are prepared simply by mixing quick oats, sunflower butter, honey, ground flaxseeds, and vanilla. You can also jazz them up with chocolate chips or sprinkles!
No Bake Protein Balls
“Mom, can I have snack?” I am sure none of you have heard this frequently asked question in your home. I have been on a quest to find easy and protein packed snacks for my family to enjoy.
No bake protein balls have been a staple in my house recently. Recently I have been working to find snacks that:
- My kids will enjoy and actually eat
- Have nutrients and protein to give them energy
- Can be quickly prepared
- Are budget friendly
Check, check, check! These no bake protein bites meet all the criteria! You can prepare them and store them in the fridge or freezer. They can easily be packed in a lunch box for school or transport for on the go outings
When you walk through the grocery store you will find rows of prepacked snack options. Many of which have little nutritional value and are more expensive than homemade options. I have found that my kids will eat these and then be asking for another snack 30 minutes later as they are still hungry.
These no bake protein balls have met the mark in my quest to find a high protein snack that my kids will enjoy.
Ingredients in no bake sunbutter protein bites
Quick oats: these oats are smaller in size and will soften much easier than regular oats
Sunflower Seed Butter: This creamy sunflower butter is so good! Sunbutter is a brand that makes sunflower seed butter. You can also make it homemade if you are feeling ambitious.
Honey: To sweeten the protein balls and help bind the ingredients together
Ground flaxseed: high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids
Vanilla extract: adds a wonderful flavor profile
Optional: Semi-sweet chocolate chips or sprinkles
How to make sunbutter no bake protein bites
You can sigh a breathe of relief because this recipe truly is simple! Once you make this recipe once or twice you will likely be able to make it again and again from memory.
- To start, place your sunflower butter and honey in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 20 seconds so it is softened and easy to mix.
- In a large bowl, place quick oats and the ground flaxseeds.
- Pour in your sunflower butter mixture. I think the easiest way to mix is by hand. Pro Tip: Wet your fingers with cold water to help prevent the mixture from sticking. You can also try a rubber spatula, but I do think mixing by hand is the easiest.
- Once mixed, add in the chocolate chips if desired.
- Roll them into 12 equally sized balls.
- Optional: roll the balls in sprinkles.
Tips for success
- Chop up into smaller bites for younger children
- Make sure to warm your sunflower butter and honey mixture a bit so its easier to mix
- Wet your finger tips in cold water before hand mixing to help prevent sticking
- Make sure you get ground flaxseeds NOT whole ones
Why you will love this recipe
Easy: this snack is quick to prepare and requires no use of the stove or oven
Kid friendly: a great snack kids will love
Adaptable: you can easily swap out ingredients to make it work for your family
Nut free: This recipe uses sunflower seed butter which is peanut free and nut free.
FAQ
What is sunflower seed butter “Sunbutter”?
Sunflower seed butter is a combination of rpasted sunflower seeds, sugar, and salt. They are blended together in a creamy butter just like other nut butters. The taste very closely resembles sunflower seeds. It is a great peanut and nut free alternative.
What do no bake protein bites taste like?
They will primarily take on the taste of the sunflower butter. They will be slightly sweet as well with the honey and chocolate chips (if you choose to use chocolate chips).
How much protein is in these protein balls?
For the serving size of 3 protein balls made with sunflower butter, they contain 17 g of protein. All of the nutrition facts can be found at myfitnesspal
What is the consistency of protein bites?
They have the consistency of cookie dough. If you use less sunflower butter, they will be less smooth and you will be able to see and taste the oats a bit more.
What is flaxseed?
They are the seed of a flax plant. They are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure you get ground flaxseeds.
Do I need a stand mixer to make protein bites
Nope! The instructions in the recipe box below are prepared without a stand mixer. If you have a stand mixer, you can combine all the ingredients and use the paddle attachment until all ingredients are combined!
Substitutions
Honey: Maple Syrup
Ground Flaxseeds: Chia seeds
To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten free quick oats.
Equipment Needed
- Small microwave safe bowl
- Large mixing bowl
More tasty snacks to try
Pigs in a Blanket with Dipping Sauces
Homemade Applesauce: 3 Flavors
Trail Mix for Kids without Nuts
Homemade Granola Bars without Nuts
Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa
More add-in options
Looking for more tasty options to add into no bake protein balls? Check out these suggestions:
- Shredded coconut
- Chia seeds
- Raisins
- Protein powder
Storage
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
No Bake Protein Balls with Sunbutter
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats gluten free if needed
- 1 cup sunflower seed butter
- 2 tbsp. ground flaxseeds
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- optional: semi-sweet chocolate chips or sprinkles
Instructions
- Place sunflower seed butter and honey in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 20 seconds to make it creamier and easier to mix.
- In a large bowl, place quick oats and the ground flaxseeds. Pour in your sunflower butter mixture.
- Mix together by hand.* Add in chocolate chips if desired.
- Roll them into 12 equally sized balls.
- Optional: Roll the balls in sprinkles.
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