These are the easiest No Bake Protein Balls. They’re great meal prep snacks and are freezer-friendly with five different flavors!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Rolled oats – you can also try using quick oats or large flake oats.
- Vanilla whey protein – I like using vanilla-flavoured whey protein but unflavoured whey protein would work as well.
- Honey – use another sweetener such as stevia, maple syrup or agave.
- Coconut oil – or another neutral cooking oil like olive oil or avocado oil.
Macaroon protein balls
- Almond butter – swap out for another nut butter like cashew butter or a nut-free butter like sunflower butter.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut – you can use sweetened shredded coconut but your protein balls will be a lot sweeter.
Cookie dough protein balls
- Cashew butter – swap out for another nut butter like almond butter or a nut-free butter like sunflower butter.
- Chocolate chips – milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips would both be good in these protein balls.
Peanut butter protein balls
- Peanut butter – swap out for another nut butter like almond butter, just keep in mind it won’t have that classic peanut butter flavour.
Brownie protein balls
- Almond butter – swap out for another nut butter like cashew butter or a nut-free butter like sunflower butter.
- Cocoa powder – hot chocolate powder or carob powder might work but will have a different flavour.
Oatmeal raisin protein balls
- Almond butter – swap out for another nut butter like cashew butter or a nut-free butter like sunflower butter.
- Raisins – try another dried fruit like cranberries or add in some chocolate chips instead.
How to make protein balls
Step 1: Mix together the oats and protein powder.
Choose the protein balls you're going to make. Mix the oats and protein powder together in one large bowl.
Step 2: Microwave the wet ingredients.
Mix together the honey, coconut oil and nut butter in another bowl, then microwave.
Step 3: Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Stir in your toppings.
Step 5: Roll the dough into balls.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then place on a baking tray or large baking dish.
Step 6: Chill and then serve!
Chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge. Store in the fridge for up to 14 days, or freeze up to 3 months.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for making the best protein balls:
- Use a cookie scoop to keep the size of the protein balls consistent.
- Dampen your hands with water to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.
- If the protein balls are mushy, try adding in a bit more oats.
- If the protein balls are crumbling, add in some more wet ingredients (like honey).
5 Best Protein Ball Recipes
These are the best protein balls on the internet – they're so yummy, with no baking required. Try making one of these five flavour options.
Brownie Protein Balls
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Macaroon Protein Balls
Oatmeal Raisin Protein Balls
Cookie Dough Protein Balls
Frequently Asked Questions
For these protein balls, I suggest using vanilla or unflavoured whey protein powder. It’s the most versatile and can be used in any recipe, in addition to being a great source of high-quality protein from milk. When choosing a protein powder, look for one with the fewest ingredients and one that has protein listed as the first ingredient. You should also look for an option that’s labelled as a protein isolate instead of a concentrate. Here is the protein powder I use if you're looking for a clean one.
These protein balls will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, which makes them a great meal prep snack. If you don't plan on eating all of them within 2 weeks, you can freeze some for later. They'll last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If you want to make these recipes vegan, make sure you're using a vegan protein powder.
You can swap out the protein powder for peanut butter or a nut butter of your choice, but keep in mind that it will likely increase the calorie count!
If your protein balls turn out dry and crumbly, it might just be the protein powder you're using – every one is different. Just add in a bit more of one of the wet ingredients like honey to add some moisture into the mixture.
Storing and reheating
These protein balls are made with shelf-stable ingredients, so they can stay at room temperature for a while. However, they will last longer in the refrigerator. I recommend storing them in the fridge in airtight glass containers for up to 2 weeks. When you’re ready to eat them, pull them out of the fridge and eat them cold or let them come to room temperature on the counter.
Can you freeze protein balls?
You sure can! These healthy protein balls can be frozen in freezer-safe glass containers or Ziploc bags for up to 3 months. Let them defrost in the fridge overnight or on the counter then enjoy.
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More high-protein snacks
Meal Prep Tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls to store these protein balls.
- They can also be stored in Ziploc bags up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Here is the protein powder I use if you're looking for a clean one.
- **Get my full list of tools here**
Easy No Bake Protein Balls {5 Flavors}
Ingredients
Macaroon protein balls
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Cookie dough protein balls
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cashew or almond butter (cashew gives a more neutral flavour)
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Peanut butter protein balls
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
Brownie protein balls
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
Oatmeal raisin protein balls
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Choose the protein balls you're going to make. Mix the oats and protein powder together in one large bowl, then mix together honey, coconut oil and nut butter of choice in another bowl. Microwave wet ingredients for 30-40 seconds, then fold into dry ingredients.
- Mix in your add-ins according to which protein ball recipe you choose to make. For instance, if you choose to make the macaroon recipe, stir in the shredded coconut.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then place on a baking tray or large baking dish and chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge. Store in the fridge for up to 14 days, or freeze up to 3 months.
Comments & Reviews
Nadine says
I am planning on making these, but my question is do you use 1 1-3 cup of protein powder or 1 1/3 scoop of protein powder?? A cup seems like a lot. Thanks!
Taylor Stinson says
It is 1 1/3 cup. It must be whey protein though, that’s the only type that will work.
Karin says
Hi,
These tasted great. But while I made them they were very dry and crumbly. I had to add 1/3 cup more coconut oil. Even then it was hard to get to form a ball. I thought that next I might add an egg and then bake it in a pan to make bars.
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Karin – sometimes this can vary depending on the type of protein powder used (all brands are different). Thanks for leaving your feedback/review.