Peanut Butter Protein Balls (gluten-free, vegan options)
These 6-ingredient peanut butter protein balls only take a few minutes to throw together and are full of healthful ingredients! Naturally gluten-free, whole grain, dairy-free and with a vegan option.
Just basic ingredients
There’s loads of good stuff in these protein balls. Tons of natural peanut butter plus a bit of raw honey (or brown rice syrup for a vegan option), oats and coconut.
And of course, some mini chocolate chips because… why not? ;) Feel free to omit them if you want to limit your sugar.
Make sure to use the kind of peanut butter that just contains peanuts and salt. If you use a brand that has added fat and sugar, these peanut butter balls likely won’t turn out
well. You’d also be adding a ton of fat (and probably not the healthy kind) and sugar!
So easy that kids can make them alone
To make these peanut butter protein balls, all you do is dump the ingredients into a bowl and roll the mixture into balls. It’s not an especially sticky mixture, so you’ll have to squeeze them together to get the balls to hold together.
I’ve made these peanut butter protein balls a number of times with the exact same ingredients (as in from the same package), and the very small amount of water I needed to add to hold the mixture together varied each time (hence the range in the measurement given).
I also discovered that instead of using additional water to bring the mixture together, vanilla extract is a tasty alternative!
Prefer something more cookie-like but don’t want to turn on the oven? Try these no-bake oatmeal cookies! They’re also 100% whole grain and naturally gluten-free + vegan. And seriously – they’re one of my favorite recipes.
Peanut butter sub?
Wondering how to make peanut butter? All you need is 1 ingredient and a food processor!
But if you can’t have or don’t have peanut butter or peanuts on hand, you can experiment with other nut butters. I’ve tried today’s recipe with sunflower seed butter, and it worked great. But I’m not sure about other nut butters.
They’re not always 100% interchangeable, so I can’t say for sure if other types would work in these protein bites. That’s why I called it an experiment. ;) But I’m quite sure they’d be fine wth other types.
I can tell you that almond butter works amazingly well in these bliss balls, as does sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. They’re like a chocolate version of this recipe and truly so delicious.
For a grain-free chocolate version, try these chocolate peanut butter protein balls. If you use cashew butter, then you’ve got yourself some paleo protein balls. :)
Vegan option
Honey is quite a bit stickier and thicker than maple syrup, and that’s why I only have brown rice syrup listed as a honey sub for this recipe.
I tried these balls with maple syrup, but they fell apart more easily. So that’s why I recommend brown rice syrup.
If you give these peanut butter protein balls a try, I’d love to hear what you think!
And here are some resources if you’re new to the vegan or gluten-free diet:
- Are Oats Gluten-free?
- Is Honey Gluten-free?
- Are Chocolate Chips Gluten-free?
- Are Chocolate Chips Vegan?
- Is Peanut Butter Gluten-free?
- Is Peanut Butter Vegan?
Peanut Butter Protein Balls (gluten-free, vegan options)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (256 grams) natural peanut butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free (the kind with just peanuts / seeds and salt)
- 1/4 cup (80 grams) honey or 1/4 cup brown rice syrup for a vegan version
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (135 grams) rolled oats (use gluten-free oats, if needed)
- 1/2 cup (42 grams) unsweetened shredded coconut
- pinch salt
- 1/3 cup (57 grams) mini chocolate chips (use vegan chocolate chips, if needed)
- 2 to 4 teaspoons water or additional vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, brown rice syrup or honey and vanilla extract.1 cup (256 grams) natural peanut butter, 1/4 cup (80 grams) honey, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Stir in the oats, coconut and salt until well combined and then add the chocolate chips. If the mixture doesn’t hold together well when pinched together, add the additional water or vanilla, a teaspoon at a time until the mixture holds together well when pinched.1 1/2 cups (135 grams) rolled oats, 1/2 cup (42 grams) unsweetened shredded coconut, pinch salt, 1/3 cup (57 grams) mini chocolate chips, 2 to 4 teaspoons water
- Form 1” balls by pressing about 1 tablespoon of the mixture together.
- Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for 1 week.
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
My husband and I LOVE these! We make them allll the time… they’re considered a staple now! They’re a great tasty & filling snack to have handy – they’ve helped us both avoid the munchies and lose weight without feeling hungry all the time. :)
I’m happy to hear that they’re helping you avoid the munchies and lose weight! Maybe I should make these more often. ???? Thanks a ton for your comment!
Have you tried freezing them? If so any tips and how long are they good for?
You can freeze them in an airtight container or plastic bag in flat layer for a few months.
How many people does it serve???
It yields 24 1″ balls. How many people that serves is up to the people. :)
I was looking for something that was sweet, but healthy. I love these sweet little treats! They are easy to make and you can customize the recipe to what you want to add or omit. I love these after a workout on the treadmill. Thank you for sharing. ????
I’m so sorry for just now seeing your comment! It landed up in spam for some reason and with my son home the last 2 months, I haven’t been diligent with checking that. I’m so glad that you like the balls! You’re welcome for the recipe. :) Thanks again for your feedback and sorry again for my ridiculously slow reply!
okay, I just did the best thing. I added coconut whipped cream about 3 tablespoons, did a little less oats, didn’t add any water, a little less vanilla, and it is heaven. please add the coconut whipped cream to your recipe I think it would be the absolute best and it makes it creamier!!!!! I’m actually in love.
I’ll have to try it out! Thanks a bunch for the tip. I’m happy it worked out so well! :)
Hi, so I was wondering if I could use coconut whipped cream instead of water. I saw that in another recipe and it looked super good so I was wondering if i could use that here.
I’m sorry for just now seeing your question! Looks like it worked out well. :)
HI. I just tried these and at the last minute I realised the chocolate my sister had bought wasn’t vegan. So I chopped up some Oreos in the food processor and added them instead. Delicious!! Thank you.
I’m sorry for just now seeing your comment! (my son and I have been sick for weeks) Oreos sounds like a delicious addition! I surprised they didn’t get soggy. Thanks for the tip! :)
Thank you so much for the quick recipe – these are delicious! I did omit the pinch of salt and added 1 teaspoon of cinnamon as it is my favorite seasoning right now. Now I’m all set for my afternoon crash at work next week and I don’t have to feel guilty :-)
I’m so sorry for just now seeing your comment! I’m so glad that you liked the balls. Cinnamon sounds like a delicious addition! I’ll definitely have to try that. :) Thanks for your feedback and sorry again!
These turned out wonderful – we made the coconut ones and the cinnamon raisin and loved them both!
i’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for your comment. :)
Wow! Chocolate peanut butter balls are really amazing! Thank you for the recipe! Protein is really of great importance for our health!
You’re welcome! :)
I love to cook. Finding and updating new menu recipes every day makes me more interested and interested in my work. Today’s my lucky day, Peanut Butter Protein Balls is great, just follow the instructions and everything is easy, I like that. Thanks for your sharing
You’re welcome! :)
How many calories per ball?
I don’t have the calories but you could use this recipe analyzer for the nutritional profile.
Around 115 per ball
I’ll take anything with PB and chocolate please!! These look fantastic.
Thanks so much! :)
Absolutely amazing for snack time! Definitely making more as the kids loved them.
I’m glad to hear that! Thanks for your feedback. :)
These are so cute! And the perfect combo of healthy and fun.
Thanks so much! :)
Fantastic recipe. My family does not always appriciate eating vegan but this was a home run hit!. I am now on the hook to double the recipe every time I make it because their only complaint is that I don’t make enough! This is loved by kids and adults!
I’m so glad that everyone loved them, even though they’re vegan! ;) Thanks for your feedback!
I made these except with almond flour instead of shredded coconut and they tasted great.
Yay! I’m glad that they came out well that way. :) Thanks for the tip!
I’m vegan and I’m always looking for new innovative vegan dishes to make and this recipe was just divine!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment. :)
Such powerful balls, I like peanut flavor so will make them soon. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy them. :)