Almond Butter Protein Balls

Craving something sweet and nutritious? Try my no-bake Almond Butter Protein Balls! Packed with creamy almond butter, oats, protein powder, and chocolate chips, this is a healthy, wholesome snack to keep you fueled and satisfied. There's 7 grams of protein per ball!

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In my household of food fanatics, we're always snacking throughout the day. So finding healthy, bite-sized treats has been a priority to keep us from stuffing our faces with junk food.

I developed these almond butter protein balls with this in mind, and I'm so happy I did. Almond butter snacks hit the spot, and more times than not, you can find me munching on these as a mid-day or post-workout snack to refuel. They're rich, satisfying, and dense with wholesome ingredients: almond butter, old-fashioned oats, protein powder, and a sprinkle of chocolate chips (because everything is better with them, am I right?).

But better yet, protein balls with almond butter are convenient – no baking required! Plus, they're the perfect size for small hands to grab, and they store for up to a week in the fridge. Ideal for a quick guilt-free snack or to send along in your kiddos' lunches.

So let's dive right in, shall we?

For more high-protein snack recipes, check out my Oat Protein Breakfast Cookies, Mocha Protein Shake, and Kodiak Protein Muffins.

Why You'll Love This Protein Ball Recipe

• No-Bake Recipe — You don't have to fire up your oven for this one! It's a rudimentary recipe, so we're sticking to the basics: a bowl and spoon for mixing.
• Guilt-Free Sweet Treat — We all have those loud chocolate cravings that can't be silenced. Rather than reaching for a bar of chocolate, grab one of these nut butter balls. You'll silence your sweet tooth without going into a sugar coma.
• Great for Meal Prep — Like I said above, these almond butter protein bites keep in the fridge for up to 7 days, so they're great to prep on the weekend for no-fuss snacking throughout the week.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Almond Butter - For my protein balls, almond butter is the key ingredient. As the nutrient-dense base, it's filled with healthy fats and protein to keep your belly full and satisfied. If you're feeling ambitious, you can make your own, but store-bought is absolutely fine.

Honey - For natural sweetness, we're using honey. Its sticky consistency also works as a binding agent to cohere all the ingredients together. Maple syrup can be used as a substitute if needed or to make the balls vegan.

Cinnamon - Warming spices make everything better! A dash of cinnamon gives the energy bites a cozy, homemade cookie dough feel.

Vanilla Extract - Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best flavor enhancement.

Protein Powder - Specifically, vanilla flavored. The fine powder combines seamlessly with the wet ingredients and gives us some added nourishment.

Old-Fashioned Oats - Oats add bulk to the structure and soak up a little bit of the moisture/liquids from the wet ingredients. Also, a great source of fiber – which we could all use more of! If you're gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.

Chocolate Chips - Chocolate makes the world go round, so I would be remiss to not include a few. My preference is for semi-sweet mini chocolate chips. If avoiding dairy or eating plant-based, use dairy-free chocolate chips.

How to Make Almond Butter Protein Balls

For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Combine Wet Ingredients.

Whisk the almond butter, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract together in a large mixing bowl until well combined.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients.

Add the vanilla protein powder and oatmeal and stir or knead until well combined.

Step 3: Stir in Chocolate Chips.

Stir or knead in the chocolate chips until well combined.

Step 4: Roll.

Scoop 2-tablespoon-sized mounds of the dough and roll into balls.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Dig in for afternoon snack times or whenever the cravings strike!

Recipe Pro-Tips

• For the easiest mixing, use room temperature almond butter. If you store almond butter in the fridge, allow it to soften on the counter before mixing.
• For additional sweetness, adding a few drops of a liquid sweetener will do the trick.
• Use a small cookie scoop for measuring to get uniform sizes. This isn't necessary, but recommended if you want your almond butter bites to look flawless.
• Enjoy at room temperature. For the best texture (softer) and flavor (more of a honey taste), let the balls come to room temperature for 15-30 minutes before enjoying.
• Don't be afraid to troubleshoot. If the consistency is too dry, add a little extra almond butter or honey. If it's too wet, toss in some extra oats. This is a forgiving recipe!
• Use a high-quality protein powder. I prefer Isopure, but what matters is choosing one you enjoy on its own.

Recipe Variations

• Peanut Butter Balls: Peanut butter balls are a classic! If you're feeling nostalgic, use peanut butter instead of almond butter. Plus, peanut butter has slightly more protein.
• Cashew Butter Balls: In place of almond butter, use cashew butter. It's filled with healthy fats and has a creamier texture, so you may need to use extra oats to compensate.
• Almond Butter Bars: Instead of rolling into balls, press the mixture flat into a baking pan and cut into bars. Rolling the balls can take some time, so this is a great option if you're in a pinch.
• Sunflower Butter Bars: To make the recipe nut-free, swap sunflower seed butter for the almond butter.
• Dried Fruit: For extra hearty nut butter balls, add a handful of raisins, cherries, cranberries, and shredded coconut.
• Additional Seeds: Go big on the fiber and texture and swap a few tablespoons of chia seeds, flax seeds (whole or ground flaxseed meal), or hemp seeds for the same amount of oats.

Serving Suggestions

For quick and healthy snacks, pair your almond butter balls with a smoothie, like a creamy pear smoothie or peach smoothie. For an added boost of energy, serve them alongside a cup of protein coffee (my favorite!).

Storage Directions

• Refrigerating: Store leftover almond butter balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
• Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe, airtight container. Let them thaw to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

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More Energy & Protein Ball Recipes

• Pumpkin Protein Balls
• Birthday Cake Protein Balls
• Coconut Date Energy Balls
• Peanut Butter & Jelly "Larabars"

If you liked and made this Almond Butter Protein Ball Recipe, don't forget to rate it and let me know how you liked it in the comments. I always love hearing from you!

Recipe Card