Sunbutter Protein Balls (No Bake)
No bake sunbutter protein balls are an easy, wholesome snack that both kids and adults love. These sunbutter protein balls come together in under 10 minutes using simple pantry staples like oats, sunflower butter, honey, ground flaxseed, and vanilla. They pack about 6 grams of protein per bite and are nut-free!
Quick Look: Sunbutter Protein Balls
⏱ Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒 Ingredients: Quick oats, sunbutter, honey, ground flaxseed and vanilla. Optional: chocolate chips or sprinkles.
💡 Top Tip: Slightly wet your hands before rolling to prevent the mixture from sticking.
🥣 Equipment Needed: You only need a mixing bowl and a spoon to make this easy no bake recipe.
“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.
Sunbutter 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.
Note from Lexi
With tree nut allergies in my family, I wanted a nut free version of protein bites. They are so convenient to have on hand, are healthy, and a great snack. But, for so many with allergies, they cannot have peanuts or tree nuts. That’s why these easy, kid-friendly version is the best. I highly recommend doubling the batch and keeping them on hand. You can even pop them in the freezer for later.
Read more about my family story and this food blog here
– Lexi with Our Slice of Home
Ingredients
How to make sunflower butter protein balls
Step one: Place the 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. Then pour in the microwaved sunflower butter and honey.
Step two: Mix together. You can either use a stand mixer, but I think the easiest way to mix is by hand. Wet your fingers with cold water to help prevent the mixture from sticking.
Step three: Pour in chocolate chips if desired and mix together. Roll them into 12 equally sized balls. Roll in sprinkles if desired.
Tips for Success
– Chop up into smaller bites for younger children
– Make sure to warm your sunflower butter and honey mixture a bit so it’s easier to mix
– Wet your fingertips in cold water beforehand mixing to help prevent sticking
– Make sure you get ground flaxseeds, not whole ones
FAQ
Sunflower seed butter is a combination of roasted 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.
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).
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
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.
They are the seed of a flax plant. They are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure you get ground flaxseeds.
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 nut free snacks
You will also love these nut-free, kid friendly snacks:
- Animal Toast (6 Designs and Nut Free)
- Pigs in a Blanket with Dipping Sauces
- Trail Mix for Kids without Nuts
- Homemade Granola Bars without Nuts
- Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa
- Stovetop Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe
More high-protein recipes
For a full list of high-protein recipes (no eggs) visit here: high protein breakfast ideas without eggs!
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.
If you made this recipe, I’d be so grateful if you left a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a quick comment sharing how it turned out. And if you haven’t already, follow along here:
– Lexi with Our Slice of Home
Sunbutter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup sunflower seed butter
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon 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.
I haven’t tried sun-butter before! Glad this recipe introduced it!
My kids love them rolled in sprinkles!