Peanut butter oatmeal protein balls drizzled with jam to make a tasty, no-bake snack! These gluten-free protein balls contain 11grams of protein per serving, making them a high-protein choice for busy days.
A classic flavor combo with a protein twist!
These peanut butter oatmeal protein balls help boost your daily protein intake while still enjoying the flavors you love.
The energy balls use a blend of vegan protein powder, nut butter, gluten-free oats, jam, and maple syrup for sweetness.
They’re an easy meal prep snack recipe to have on hand for busy days to keep you full between meals (learn more about how to make meal prep easier!). Use them for:
- a boost of energy
- a quick post-workout snack especially after running (learn more about running nutrition)
- grab-and-go snacks for the kids
Ingredients You Need
Simple is key when it comes to these protein balls!
Rolled oats: part of the base for the recipe, make sure to use gluten-free oats if you need to!
Vegan Protein Powder: the protein powder you choose will affect both the flavor and the texture of the balls. Read on to learn more.
Hemp Milk: any plant-based milk will work for these protein balls with oats but homemade hemp milk is an easy way to get more fats into your diet.
Peanut butter: Peanut butter: opt for natural, creamy peanut butter to reduce seed oils in your diet (learn more about why seed oils can negatively affect your health). That said, almond butter (or any nut butter) will work in its place.
Jam: jam is used both to sweeten the protein balls as well as a drizzle on top and give a more “dessert” feel to them.
Maple Syrup: all you need is a hint of maple syrup to give these energy bites the sweetness you need in a pick-me-up snack
These no-bake energy bites work as both a healthy snack as well as a small post-workout fuel hit. Pair it with a piece of fruit and you'll be loaded with energy (or you can use these chocolate-covered protein balls like dessert!).
How To Make The Peanut Butter Protein Balls With Oats
- Mix together the rolled oats and vegan protein powder.
- Melt the coconut oil and whisk together the peanut butter (or cashew butter), syrup, and jam.
- Add the wet to the dry and let sit for a minute or two before adding the milk.
- Grease your hands, roll the mixture into energy balls, and drizzle them with jam.
- Let sit for thirty minutes in the freezer to set.
Choosing A Vegan Protein Powder For The Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls
These protein energy balls cannot use whey protein powder.
However, they have been made with a few vegan protein powders.
You can learn How To Choose A Vegan Protein Powder for your goals before you dive in.
Specifically for protein ball recipes, Genuine Health Fermented Powder, as well as Progressives Fermented Protein Powder, work well.
Progressive's Harmonized Fermented Vegan Protein Powder is a blend of five non-GMO legumes, grains, and seeds.
It’s allergy-friendly (no dairy, gluten, nuts, or soy) and is sweetened with only stevia and monk fruit.
But best of all is that this protein is fermented. This helps break down the “anti-nutrient” in grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes that often cause bloating.
So this protein powder not only contains 23g of protein per serving but also aids digestion and helps keep you bloat-free! Grab the protein powder and give it a try.
Protein Powder & Kids
And while some people don’t think kids should have protein powder, I think that as long as you have a quality protein powder and trust its source, it’s okay.
I have quite a few I love and trust including Iron Vegan and Genuine Health Fermented Protein Powder. Both of which you can buy off my favorite website.
When checking out a new protein powder, especially if my kiddos are going to be using it, I like to look for a few of these points:
- no random flavored added
- low in sugar
- no carageen
- no processed oils
But here’s a tip: if you’re not into protein powder- that’s ok! Instead of the powder, swap in collagen powder instead! Collagen is not only full of awesome protein but it’s also awesome to help boost your immune system- double win.
You can grab collagen powder packs (I take these with us on long road trips!) from Perfect Supplements and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
Keep in mind that if you need these peanut butter protein balls to be vegan, collagen is not an option.
Does The Protein Powder Have To Be Vegan?
Actually yes.
Though eliminating whey powders and dairy, in general, can be beneficial (here’s how to eliminate dairy and not hate life), these no-bake protein balls need a vegan protein powder for another reason.
Plant-based protein powder tends to “fluff up” and bind better as it absorbs liquid. this gives the coconut protein balls a bit of a light feeling to them… which makes them alarmingly easy to eat 😉 Learn more about the differences between whey and pea protein.
Conversely, while I think whey protein would blend into the balls well, I’m not sure they would hold together. Also, whey tends to be sweeter than vegan protein powder so truthfully I think they’d end up “sickly” sweet.
Why Do Snacks Need Protein?
This energy balls recipe is simple (seven ingredients!), easy to make (thank god for no-bake snacks), and has the best flavor combination ever.
One of the reasons I love little protein balls with oats and nut butters for snacks is that they actually help give you some long-lasting fuel instead of just spiking your blood sugar. They truly are energy balls.
Thanks to the protein powder the release of the carbohydrates is a bit slower which helps prevent a sugar crash (which makes them a great pregnancy snack).
Plus, paired with a piece of fruit, these little peanut butter protein balls make a tasty post-workout snack! Win.
Add Ins
Sometimes it's fun to add a few extras into the energy bites. A few of our favorites are:
- mini chocolate chips
- almond butter or seed butter in place of peanut butter
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- chocolate protein powder in place of vanilla
When adding in something like mini chocolate chips, a little goes a long way! Start with just one tablespoon.
Anything you add in may change the way the balls hold together, so know that there's sometimes a little bit of trial and error involved.
Frequently Asked Questions AbouAbout Protein Balls With Oats
The short version is yes! Getting more protein into your diet helps keep you full and snack less. Plus, protein helps boost our immune system and replenish muscle mass. And protein balls are an easy way to boost your intake.
Because vegan protein powder absorbs liquid, you tend to need quite a bit. If your protein balls are not sticking together, try adding a bit of water or plant-based milk. Add only a little at a time until the mixture becomes a bit more "tacky". Then really press the mixture together to get them to hold.
Yes! Energy balls are an easy, fueling snack. When made correctly with a balance of healthy fats, proteins and some carbohydrates, energy balls are an easy way to slowly release energy and give you fuel while preventing a sugar crash.
You can eat raw oats. However, some people will experience trouble with bloating or gas. If this is the case, you'll want to soak your oats before using them.
Yes! Protein balls should be stored in the fridge freezer to prevent them from spoiling. If stored in the freezer, make sure to thaw briefly in the fridge or at room temperature before eating. If the balls are in the fridge, they should last roughly fourteen days.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy:
Need more indulgent protein recipes Check out these high-protein snacks!
- Easy vanilla protein bars
- Chocolate coconut protein balls
- Chocolate fudge balls
- No-bake bounce balls
- Cookie dough balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Easy protein pancakes
- Protein cookies
- Banana protein donuts
- Triple berry protein fluff
- The best high-protein snacks
- Gluten-free pantry staples you need to stock up on
- Salted caramel protein fluff
- Cookie dough overnight protein oats
Grab your printable
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Peanut Butter Protein Balls (No-Bake & Gluten-Free)
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup Old Fashioned Oats
- 1.5 scoops Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder About ½ cup
- ¼ cup regular Peanut Butter
- 1.5 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon almond milk**
- ¼ cup raspberry jam divided into ⅛ cup and ⅛ cup
- 1 tablespoon raspberry jam
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the oats and protein powder.
- In a small dish, heat the coconut oil and creamy peanut butter until oil is just melted (heat on low so the peanut butter doesn’t burn).
- Whisk in the peanut butter/oil to the oat mixture until mostly combined. Add in ⅛ cup + 1 tablespoon of jam and mix again.
- Finally, add in the almond milk.
- Let sit for one minute so the protein powder absorbs.
- Then, using your hands roll the mixture into balls (makes ten). Place the balls on a piece of parchment paper.
- In a small dish, whisk the syrup and remaining jam. Spoon into a piping bag (or a plastic baggie with a hole) and drizzle jam on top of the balls.
- Place in the freezer for thirty minutes to set.
- When you’re ready to eat. Grab a ball and let sit for 5-10 minutes before popping it into your mouth!
Notes
- The protein powder you choose will affect both the flavor and the texture of the balls. Check out my three favorite protein powders and know that the fermented ones absorb liquid more.
- Note: depending on your protein powder you may need 1-2 extra tablespoons of almond milk to make the mixture stick as some powders are more absorbent than others.
- You can sub in chocolate protein powder for vanilla if you really want to switch up the flavor!
- Let the balls thaw at room temperature for fifteen minutes (or in the fridge for longer) before enjoying
- Tip: if you have specific dietary restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan) – double-check all your ingredients for appropriate brands!
- For all my Canadians, you can grab all these ingredients (and more!) at my favorite health food store.
- Keep in mind the protein values may be off by 1-2 grams as it depends on which protein powder you're using. Each vegan protein powder has a different markup of ingredients which can alter the intake slightly.
- The recipe makes ten balls. One serving is two balls
Nutrition
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With a classic flavor combination, you can’t go wrong making this peanut butter and jam protein balls recipe.
Not only do they make a healthy and fueling snack but they’re also quick to whip up and easy to store.
Healthy snacks are a must for a busy mom (and a fit mom!) and these PB&J balls work as both an on-the-go snack or as a post-workout bit!
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