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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Dairy and Gluten-Free Snack Recipes

    Easy Banana Protein Balls (9g/ball)

    Modified: Jun 3, 2025 · by Shelby Stover · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

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    Pinterest image with text: banana energy balls in mini muffin tins, three balls in front of a plate on a colored napkin with more balls

    Deliciously sweet, and totally simple to whip up, these banana protein balls make for a great snack! With only 121 calories but 9 grams of protein, these balls pack a punch!

    Keep a stash in the fridge for busy days and run out the door knowing you've got some fuel in your tummy.

    Multiple banana protein balls in mini muffin tins lined up with more protein balls on a white plate and colored linen behind them.

    Cinnamon+ bananas is probably one of the most AMAZING flavor combos EVER!!! I would devour these balls in no time!
    -GiGi Eats

    A Quick Look At The Recipe

    • ⏲️Ready In: 40 Minutes
    • 👪Serves: 9 balls
    • 🍽 Calories and Protein: 121 kcals and 9 grams of protein
    • 📋Main Ingredients: Rolled oats, banana, collagen powder, almond butter and maple syrup.
    • 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free.
    • ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These banana energy balls are soft, naturally sweet, and made with wholesome ingredients that keep you full without any processed sugars.

    SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON

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    Have a leftover banana on the counter you're not sure what to do with? Whip up these banana protein balls!

    Just like these birthday cake protein balls, these bites are made with ingredients you already have on hand, these energy balls are a sure-fire way to stay full (and they're a hit with kids!).

    Jump To
    • A Quick Look At The Recipe
    • 💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • How To Make Banana Protein Balls
    • Important Teaching Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Protein Balls
    • More High Protein Snacks You'll Love
    • Cinnamon Banana Energy Balls

    💭Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Dairy-free and gluten-free.
    Easy to make.
    A classic, loved flavor.
    Sweet but not too sweet.
    Made with whole food ingredients.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Ripe banana: the softer the banana is the better! This will give the banana protein balls more sweetness.
    • Rolled oats: though quick oats may work for the energy balls, rolled oats will give them more substance. Double check they come from a gluten-free plant though if you need it (then make these peanut butter oatmeal balls too!).
    • Collagen powder: the purest source of "protein powder" there is! Learn more about collagen powder vs. bone broth
    • Almond butter: any nut butter will work here, and you can ever make the protein balls nut-free by using sunflower seed butter. Almond and banana just go together so nicely and is the base for carrot cake protein balls, too.
    • Brown rice syrup: you can sub this for honey in a pinch but brown rice syrup helps bind the ingredients together.
    • Maple syrup: you just need the teeniest bit for a hint of smoky flavor.
    • Unsweetened coconut: opt for the shredded coconut, this is just used for texture and a bit of extra sweetness.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    How To Make Banana Protein Balls

    Cinnamon banana energy balls, healthy snack, meal idea, recipes, gluten free, vegan, busy mom, toddler approved, kids snack,

    Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.In a bowl, mash bananas and vanilla extract until combined.

    Cinnamon banana energy balls, healthy snack, meal idea, recipes, gluten free, vegan, busy mom, toddler approved, kids snack,

    Step 2: Add the maple syrup, almond butter, and brown rice syrup into the banana and mix well. Add in the dry ingredients and finish mixing.

    Cinnamon banana energy balls, healthy snack, meal idea, recipes, gluten free, vegan, busy mom, toddler approved, kids snack,

    Step 3: Line a baking tray with a silicone baking mat and use an ice cream scoop to portion the balls.Bake for 12-15 minutes and let cool on the tray.

    Important Teaching Tips

    Make sure to use fresh almond butter so that it mixes better with the banana. Almond butter that is hard (like the stuff at the bottom of the container) won't mix.

    If you don't have coconut, don't panic! It's not needed, just a nice flavor boost.

    Though you could add dark chocolate chips into the balls it may make the balls not hold together. The chocolate chips would melt in the oven and there's not enough "stabilizers" to hold them together.

    That said, if you want to try adding in dark chocolate chips, remove the coconut.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Protein Balls

    How doy you store protein balls?

    These banana protein balls can be stored on the counter in an airtight container for three days or in the fridge for 7-10 days. They do not store well in the freezer as the oats become soggy when thawing.

    Do banana protein balls give you energy?

    These protein balls are a great source of energy! The sugars from the oats, fruit, and syrups give you a burst of energy but the collagen powder helps slow down any crash that may occur.

    Do you need to bake the protein balls?

    These balls can definitely be eaten raw but they're a bit goopy and tend to fall apart. Baking them helps to hold them together and make them better for grab and go situations.

    Multiple banana protein balls in mini muffin tins lined up with more protein balls on a white plate and colored linen behind them.

    More High Protein Snacks You'll Love

    • Chocolate protein fluff topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and chocolate chips.
      Best Chocolate Protein Fluff [Vegan + 28g Protein]
    • Chocolate chip protein muffins in pink muffin liners on a cooling rack and chocolate chips and another muffin behind the rack.
      Indulgent Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins (10g Protein)
    • Peanut butter and jam protein balls drizzled with jam on parchment paper
      Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Protein Balls
    • Hand holding a rainbow sprinkled collagen donut over a cooling rack with more donuts behind them.
      Healthy Protein Donuts [Gluten-Free]

    If you tried this Cinnamon Banana Energy Balls Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!

    Featured image with text: banana energy balls in mini muffin tins, three balls in front of a plate on a colored napkin with more balls

    Cinnamon Banana Energy Balls

    Shelby Stover
    Keep snack time simple with these banana oatmeal energy balls! Made with healthy, fueling ingredients and no processed sugars, these banana energy bites make a great toddler snack
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 Balls
    Calories 121 kcal

    Video

    Equipment

    • Large mixing bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 banana
    • ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
    • 1.5 cups Rolled Oats gluten-free as needed
    • ¼ cup Collagen powder
    • ½ teaspoon Cinnamon ground
    • 1.5 tablespoons Almond butter
    • 1 tablespoon Brown rice syrup
    • 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoons shredded coconut unsweetened

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • In a bowl, mash bananas and vanilla extract until combined.
    • Add the maple syrup, almond butter, and brown rice syrup into the banana and mix well.
    • Add in the dry ingredients and finish mixing. Everything should at least be coated.
    • Line a baking tray with a silicone baking mat and use an ice cream scoop to portion the balls.
    • Make sure to press the mixture into the scoop well so that they hold together.
    • Bake for 12-15 minutes and let cool on the tray.

    Notes

    Grab the ingredients you need from my pantry staples.
    If you want to add in some chocolate chips, omit the shredded coconut.
    Disclaimer:

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"

    Nutrition

    Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 9gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 23mgPotassium: 126mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
    Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

    More Healthy Dairy and Gluten-Free Snack Recipes

    • Peanut butter chocolate buckeyes on top of a parchment paper.
      Protein Buckeyes [Dairy-Free]
    • Squares of coffee fudge on a cutting board.
      Coffee Fudge [High-Protein I Dairy-Free]
    • A stack of frozen yogurt bars.
      Frozen Yogurt Protein Bars Recipe [5 ingredients]
    • A bowl of baked banana bread with chocolate chips and sliced bananas on top.
      Single Serve Banana Bread (High Protein)

    Comments

    1. Shelby S says

      July 04, 2025 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      I love the light banana cinnamon flavor in these balls and my kids gobble them up!

      Reply
    2. Emma Sivewright says

      October 06, 2022 at 12:57 am

      The Fitasamamabear cinnamon banana energy balls are perfect for a nutritious snack. With just a few pieces of sweet, crispy dough, these balls are sure to fill you up and give you a boost of energy.
      Spine Specialist Adelaide

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        October 06, 2022 at 1:55 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    3. Chelsea says

      May 18, 2018 at 1:35 am

      Yum! I need these!!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 18, 2018 at 11:07 pm

        Everyone does.. they're yummy!

        Reply
    4. Emily says

      May 17, 2018 at 1:39 am

      I've been on a survival diet that includes waaay to much sugar 🙁 🙁 I need to stop that and make these!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 18, 2018 at 11:05 pm

        Ah I know what you mean lady. Post partum is a killer of sleep deprived insanity. You'll get back into your grove when you can!

        Reply
    5. B says

      May 16, 2018 at 9:48 pm

      You can't go wrong with banana and cinnamon. These sound great!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 18, 2018 at 11:04 pm

        Right?! Such a yummy combo

        Reply
    6. Kristy, Life-n-Reflection says

      May 16, 2018 at 2:57 pm

      I'll admit I haven't tried any energy bite recipes yet. Mostly due to my nut and seed allergies. But, they sure look like fun to make and eat!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 16, 2018 at 7:23 pm

        You're allergic to BOTH nuts and seeds?! Oh no 🙁 any leeway in there? Sunbutter? I feel for you! Though my energy balls (the date based ones) you could make nut and seed free... just use extra oats in place of almond meal

        Reply
    7. GiGi Eats says

      May 15, 2018 at 9:43 pm

      Cinnamon+ bananas is probably one of the most AMAZING flavor combos EVER!!! I would devour these balls in no time!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 15, 2018 at 11:22 pm

        Right?! You really can't go wrong! I ate the whole batch haha

        Reply
    8. Bri says

      May 15, 2018 at 12:11 am

      Yum!!! These sound delicious!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 15, 2018 at 12:35 pm

        They're so easy to just pop in your mouth!

        Reply
    9. Amber Pixie says

      May 14, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      These sound really delicious! I've been looking for good, high energy foods for having on hand during my labor and post-partum...I will definitely try this!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 15, 2018 at 12:13 am

        They're yummy ones! I have a lot of energy balls actually (and I totally took some with me for labor/delivery!)- good luck lady! xx

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Welcome!

    I'm Shelby, a Certified Strength & Nutrition Coach who has spent the last 10 years helping women feel more comfortable in their skin though home strength training and healthy food- no diets, no shortcuts

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