No-Bake Protein Energy Balls

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?)

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!

Ingredient you will need

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.

Step by Step Directions

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!

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.

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.

the goods

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No-Bake Protein Energy Balls

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!

5 from 1 review

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 14 bites

Calories: 177kcal

Author: Tawnie Graham of Kroll’s Korner

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup rolled oats
• ▢ 1/2 cup almond flour* (or almond meal)
• ▢ 6 dates (pitted), chopped*
• ▢ 3/4 cup 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

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Instructions

• In the bowl of a food processor, add in the oats and pulse a few times.
• Add in all other remaining ingredients and process on high until mixture is well combined.
• Roll into balls using a cookie scoop or your hands. Recipe makes ~13-15 bites.
• Drizzle with melted chocolate on top (optional). Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
• 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

Can also use coconut flour or chickpea flour. 

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. 

Store in fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months. 

Find Kroll’s Korner on Instagram!Mention @krolls_korner or tag #krollskorner

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball | Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5.9g

Hi, I’m Tawnie!

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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