4.72 from 7 reviews

No-Bake Protein Energy Balls

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energy balls drizzled with chocolate and flaky sea salt

Protein energy balls are certainly not a new trend, but for some reason I have been making these a lot more lately!

It’s fun and easy to throw different ingredients in the food processor and have them in the fridge to snack on during the week!

No-bake protein balls are also a little tempting because every time I walk by the fridge I want to pop one in my mouth! (Who’s with me on that?)

I’m also obsessed with these Mint Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites and while not a protein ball, my Homemade Protein Bars are also delish!

energy balls on a white plate

You’ll love these because:

  • They have a delicious chewy texture
  • Packed with protein (~6 grams in each ball!)
  • Loaded with healthy ingredients
  • Easy to make (10 minutes, or less!)
  • The perfect no bake snack!

Ingredients you will need

(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)

ingredients to make energy balls

These oatmeal energy balls can easily be customized (more on that in a bit!), but here’s what I put into these specific energy balls:

  • Almond flour: I used a blanched almond flour, but unblanched or almond meal works well too.
  • Rolled oats: you can use quick oats or old-fashioned rolled oats
  • Vanilla protein powder: use your favorite protein powder or collagen of choice. I love Bob’s Red Mill Vanilla Protein Powder
  • Dates: Pitted, Medjool dates. Soak them in lukewarm water if they feel firm before chopping if needed.
  • Nut butter: you can use peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.
energy bite drizzled with chocolate on top

Step by Step Directions

(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)

  1. To make these healthy energy balls, you’ll first need to pulse the oats in a food processor. Then, add in the rest of the ingredients and pulse until everything is nicely incorporated.
  2. Scoop the mixture into balls using a cookie scoop and roll between your palms to make them look pretty. You’ll want to store these protein energy balls in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week!
step by step photos of how to make energy bites

How to customize this recipe

Like I mentioned already, these date energy balls can be made with so many different mix-ins, toppings, and drizzles. A few of my favorite ways to change up these protein energy balls are:

  • Use coconut flour or chickpea flour instead of almond flour.
  • Drizzle the energy bites with peanut butter or melted chocolate.
  • Roll in coconut flakes or mini chocolate chips.
  • Use chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla, or even your favorite collagen.
  • Use different nut butters, such as cashew butter, almond butter, soy nut butter, and sunflower butter.

Are protein energy balls gluten-free?

They will be if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats. Double check the label on your oats to confirm that they were processed in a gluten-free facility.

energy balls drizzled with chocolate and flaky sea salt

Tips for making protein energy balls

Once you blend together all the ingredient for these no-bake protein balls, the mixture may appear crumbly. Once you start to form it together between your palms, it should come together to make an energy ball. If it’s just not working out, add a little more nut butter and a splash of water until desired consistency is reached.

If your dates feel dry, you might want to soak them in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes before blending them into the energy ball mixture (make sure to pat them dry first!). Dry dates could prevent the mixture from forming balls easily.

Which way do you prefer to get extra protein in your diet?

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

energy balls drizzled with chocolate and flaky sea salt
4.72 from 7 reviews

No-Bake Protein Energy Balls

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 14 bites
No Bake Protein Energy Balls are a great snack in the afternoon or pre/post workout. They have minimal ingredients and are easily made in the food processor!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup almond flour, almond meal or ground flaxseed meal
  • 6 Medjool dates (pitted), chopped*
  • 3/4 cup creamy nut butter (peanut, almond, soy butter, etc.)
  • 2 Tbsp. water
  • 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (about 1 Tbsp.)
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • chocolate (optional)

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • In the bowl of a food processor, add in the oats and pulse a few times.
    1 cup rolled oats
  • Add in all other remaining ingredients and process on high until mixture is well combined.
    1/2 cup almond flour, almond meal or ground flaxseed meal, 6 Medjool dates (pitted), chopped*, 3/4 cup creamy nut butter (peanut, almond, soy butter, etc.), 2 Tbsp. water, 1 Tbsp. chia seeds, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (about 1 Tbsp.), 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp. salt
  • Roll into balls using a cookie scoop or your hands. Recipe makes ~13-15 bites, maybe more if you make them smaller.
  • Drizzle with melted chocolate on top or stir in mini chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
    chocolate (optional)
  • Note: Mixture may appear crumbly. Once you start to form it together between your palms it will come together to make a ball. If it's just not working out, add more nut butter and a splash of water, blend again until desired consistency is reached.

Video

Notes

  • Optional toppings: roll in unsweetened shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, drizzle with melted peanut butter or melted chocolate. 
  • Soak dates in lukewarm water for ~10 minutes if needed prior to chopping and blending. 
  • Be sure to use a creamy nut butter for best results. 
  • Stir in mini chocolate chips and these will last just like cookie dough!
  • Store in fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1ball, Calories: 177kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 16g (5%), Protein: 5.9g (12%)

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Krolls Korner

Krolls Korner

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

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Tom Werner

made it for my year 7 dt assessment and pssed it good

Betsy Ramirez

I love simple energy bite recipes! Thank you!

Stacey Mattinson

Almonds…. oats…. dates…. CHOCOLATE CHIPS… game over. Consider these made. Also consider them eaten!

Sarah

These look great! Thanks for sharing!

Katie Cavuto

These look perfectly satisfying! Love the simple ingredients 🙂

dixya @food, pleasure, and health

congratulations on your anniversary of being RD!!! i love having energy bites such as this one for quick snacking 🙂

Kristina @ Love & Zest

Love the simplicity of this!

Amy Gorin

These look amazing!

Gabriella Vetere

These look so tasty and great for an on the go snack!