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No Bake Protein Balls

No bake protein balls 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, nut butter, honey, ground flaxseeds, and vanilla. You can also jazz them up with chocolate chips or sprinkles!

8 protein balls on a plate. Some are covered in sprinkles and others have chocolate chips

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:

  1. My kids will enjoy and actually eat
  2. Have nutrients and protein to give them energy
  3. Can be quickly prepared
  4. 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 protein bites

Quick oats: these oats are smaller in size and will soften much easier than regular oats

Nut butter: Pick your family’s favorite type of nut butter such as peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter. For a nut free option I recommend sunflower butter.

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

6 no bake protein balls on parchment paper

How to make 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.

  1. To start, place your nut butter and honey in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 20 seconds so it is softened and easy to mix.
  2. In a large bowl, place quick oats and the ground flaxseeds.
  3. Pour in your nut 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.
  4. Once mixed, add in the chocolate chips if desired.
  5. Roll them into 12 equally sized balls.
  6. Optional: roll the balls in sprinkles.

Tips for success

  • Chop up into smaller bites for younger children
  • Make sure to warm your nut 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

FAQ

What do no bake protein bites taste like?

They will primarily take on the taste of the nut butter you use. 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 peanut butter, they contain 18 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 nut 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!

no bake protein balls on a plate with a hand holding up 1 of the balls

Substitutions

Honey: Maple Syrup

Ground Flaxseeds: Chia seeds

To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten free quick oats.

To make this recipe nut free, I recommend using sunflower butter.

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.

8 protein balls on a plate. Some are covered in sprinkles and others have chocolate chips

No Bake Protein Balls

No bake protein balls are an easy and delicious snack. They are prepared in less than 10 minutes and will be enjoyed by adults and kids.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Egg Free, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 protein balls
Calories 540 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup quick oats gluten free if needed
  • 1 cup nut butter peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower butter
  • 2 tbsp. ground flaxseeds
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • optional: semi-sweet chocolate chips or sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Place nut 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 nut 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.

Notes

*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
If the mixture is not sticking together, drizzle with a bit more honey or add another tbsp. of nut butter.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Calories are based on the serving size of 3 protein balls made with peanut butter
Keyword Kid Snack, Protein Balls, quick

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