Easy Protein Balls Five Ways

Give yourself a midday boost with Easy Protein Balls. Made with just 7 base ingredients, these energy balls can be transformed into 5 different flavors. Choose your favorite and whip them together in less than 10 minutes!

Your new favorite energizing snack

I’m always on the hunt for new healthy snacks. Emphasis on always. So, when I got the idea to create some healthy, oatmeal-rich power balls, I knew I had to make it happen.

What started as an idea to make a chocolate peanut butter flavor quickly turned into protein balls 5 different ways. I discovered that multiple flavors can be made with the same 7 base ingredients, and my mind was blown! With that discovery, an easy how-to for 5 different types of protein balls was born.

Thanks to the nutrients in rolled oats and nut butter, these little balls truly provide a kick in energy that’s perfect for jump-starting your morning or getting through an afternoon slump. I love to keep them handy right in my fridge!

Ingredients in simple protein balls

Protein balls are an easy feat because they all use the same base ingredients, which makes creating different flavors that much easier. To start, gather the ingredients listed below, and then check out the next section to see what you’ll need for your preferred flavor.

Base Ingredients

• Rolled oats: No matter the flavor you choose, rolled oats will make up the base of the protein balls. You’ll need 1.5 cups.
• Protein powder: Next, include 1 scoop (1/4 cup) of protein powder to give the energy balls that extra oomph.
• Salt: For flavor, throw in 1/4 tsp of salt.
• Almond butter: Next, we’ll thicken things up with 1/2 cup of almond butter.
• Honey: Add sweet goodness with 1/4 cup of honey.
• Almond milk: To help everything bind together, include 2-3 tbsp of almond milk.
• Vanilla: Finally, 1 tsp of vanilla completes the base portion of this recipe!

Note: There are a couple of base ingredients that will change depending on the flavor you choose, so be sure to review your flavor specifics before jumping in! The following section includes everything you need to know for creating each flavor.

Next, choose your flavor

Blueberry Muffin Protein Balls

If blueberry muffin flavored protein balls are your jam, achieve this flavor by throwing in 1/2 cup of dried blueberries!

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Enjoy chocolate peanut butter goodness by making two ingredient changes to the base ingredients listed above. First, swap the almond butter for peanut butter, and then swap plain protein powder for chocolate!

White Chocolate Cranberry

Next up is my favorite flavor: white chocolate cranberry. This flavor is so easy to make – just add 1/3 cup of cranberries and 1/3 cup of chocolate chips!

Chocolate Peppermint

To achieve chocolate peppermint protein balls (the best snack, especially during the holidays), throw in 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract. Then, skip regular protein powder in favor of chocolate protein powder!

Oatmeal Raisin

Last but not least, enjoy oatmeal raisin protein balls by including 1/3 cup of raisins and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.

Everything you need to make easy energy balls

Ready to dive into your recipe? To get started, there are only 3 items that you’ll need: a large mixing bowl, a stirring utensil, and a sheet pan or plate for chilling the protein balls in the fridge.

You’ll need to measure out the following sizes: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

Note: Depending on the flavor you choose, you may not need all of the measuring cups listed above.

How to make easy protein balls five ways

Four steps to an energizing and healthy snack have never been simpler. From the start, these protein balls are simple to make. Just combine your ingredients, form into balls, chill, and enjoy!

To begin, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add the wet ingredients on top and stir to combine. The mixture will be thick, so feel free to use your hands to really get everything combined. If the mixture seems too dry, add more honey or almond milk.

Next, add the mix-ins according to the flavor you’re making. Be sure to sub any ingredients that may be specific to that flavor.

Finally, roll the mix into balls and refrigerate for 1 hour before eating.

If you’re like me, you probably love to get creative in the kitchen! So if you’re feeling adventurous (or if you’re simply out of an ingredient or two), here are some simple swaps that you can use to fill the gaps in your ingredient list.

Rolled oats
First thing’s first: the oats. If you’re out of rolled oats, quick oats will do! The texture may wind up a little bit different, but the overall concept and great taste will still be there.

Almond butter
Prefer good old peanut butter? Use it! No matter the nut butter of your choice, you can use it in your recipe.

Honey
Want to skip the honey? Maple syrup will do! You may need a little extra, so a taste test is recommended!

Almond milk
Finally, I love using almond milk in my recipes, but any milk will work just fine. Use what you have!

Your energy balls should be kept in an airtight container and left in either the fridge or freezer. They will stay good in the fridge for about 5 days, and the freezer for 3 months!

If freezing, be sure to defrost before enjoying!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Need some more oat-filled goodness? Below are some more of my favorite oatmeal-containing recipes perfect for enjoying an energizing bite for breakfast, dessert, and everything in between.

• Cake Batter Overnight Oats
• Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Healthy Pumpkin Spice Granola

Recipe by Erin Morrissey + Photography by Moriah Sawtelle