Fall always comes with a craving for apple pie, so I turned that cozy flavor into a no-bake, high-protein snack you can actually eat every day. These Apple Pie Protein Balls are made with dried apples, oats, and warming spices blended right into a protein-packed dough, no oven required.
They're perfectly chewy, naturally sweetened, and come together in one food processor, similar to my Brownie Protein Balls and Peanut Butter Protein Balls.
Jump to:
Homemade Apple Pie Protein Balls
Every fall, I get an itch to make everything taste like apple pie, but I don't always want to literally make a whole pie! So this year, I turned that classic flavor into a healthy protein ball I can grab straight from the fridge. Dried apples and warm apple pie spice do all the heavy lifting here, so you get that cozy, cinnamon-y flavor in every bite without any baking involved.
These have quickly become one of my go-to healthy snacks, right alongside my Healthy Energy Balls and Easy Protein Balls Five Ways. If you're already a fan of no-bake bites, you're going to love how easy (and how fall-flavored) these are!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking required. Everything comes together in a food processor, so there's no oven, no mixer, and barely any cleanup.
- Tastes like apple pie, minus the sugar crash. Dried apples, cinnamon, and apple pie spice give you that classic flavor naturally.
- Protein-packed. With protein powder, nut butter, and chia seeds, these balls actually keep you full between meals.
- Meal-prep friendly. Make a batch on Sunday and you've got snacks ready for the whole week.
- Easy to customize. Swap the nut butter or protein powder to fit whatever you have on hand or your dietary needs.
Ingredients Needed To Make Apple Pie Protein Bites
Here’s a little bit about everything that goes into these apple pie protein balls recipe:
- Dried apples: The base of the "apple pie" flavor. They also help bind the mixture once blended into a fine powder with the oats.
- Rolled oats: Adds fiber and helps give the balls their sturdy, chewy texture. Use certified gluten-free oats to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Vanilla protein powder: Boosts the protein content and adds a hint of sweetness. Whey or plant-based protein powder both work here.
- Natural nut butter: I like almond butter for its mild flavor, but any natural, drippy nut or seed butter will work.
- Chia seeds: Adds fiber, healthy fats, and a little extra binding power.
- Apple pie spice & cinnamon: These two spices are what really sell the apple pie flavor, so don't skip them.
- Water: Helps bring the dough together if it's too dry to roll. The amount you need will depend on your protein powder.
How to Make Apple Pie Protein Balls
- Step 1: In a food processor, blend the dried apples and oats for about 2 minutes or until fine powder forms.
- Step 2: Add in protein powder and pulse, then add in nut butter, chia seeds, apple pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Blend until well combined.
- Step 3: If mixture has not come together and can't be held together when pinched (this will depend on your protein powder), add water. Start with 2 tablespoon and add from there, blending in between, until mixture easily rolls into balls.
- Step 4: Roll into 20 balls, then top with flakey sea salt in desired. Refrigerate (or freeze!) at least 1 hour before eating.
Erin's Expert Tips
- Add water slowly. Different protein powders absorb liquid differently, so add water 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time rather than all at once. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- Use room-temperature nut butter. Cold nut butter straight from the fridge is harder to blend evenly, so let it sit out for a few minutes first.
- Wet your hands to roll. A little water on your palms keeps the dough from sticking as you roll it into balls.
- Don't skip the chill time. The apple pie oat balls firm up significantly after an hour in the fridge, so resist the urge to eat them right away.
- To store: Keep these in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Let frozen balls sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common apple pie energy bites questions. Don't see the answer you're looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
A food processor really is the easiest way to break down the dried apples and oats into a fine, blendable texture, so I don't recommend skipping it for this recipe.
This usually comes down to the protein powder. Some brands are more absorbent than others. Add water 1–2 tablespoons at a time until the dough holds together when pinched.
Rolled oats are recommended for the best texture, but quick oats can work in a pinch since they get fully blended into a powder anyway.
Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free rolled oats and check that your protein powder is gluten-free as well.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
if you liked this recipe, try these!
Find more good for you sweet treats here:
Apple Pie Protein Balls
Ingredients
Method
- In a food processor, blend the dried apples and oats for about 2 minutes or until fine powder forms.
- Add in protein powder and pulse, then add in nut butter, chia seeds, apple pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Blend until well combined.
- If mixture has not come together and can't be held together when pinched (this will depend on your protein powder), add water. Start with 2 tablespoon and add from there, blending in between, until mixture easily rolls into balls.
- Roll into 20 balls, then top with flakey sea salt in desired. Refrigerate (or freeze!) at least 1 hour before eating.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Leave a Reply