Happy New Year, friends! Today marks my last day soaking up the Florida sunshine! Can’t wait to tell you all about it soon.
In the meantime, I have been waiting to bring you these AMAZING peanut butter protein balls (that taste like a a mix between cookie dough and a peanut butter cup) since late October. The timing just never felt right with all of the holiday goodies. I’m sure you’re more than ready for them now. Am I right?
I’ve been tweaking this recipe since at least last August, when these balls first started out as protein bars. I certainly liked them, but wasn’t in love with this. Since then, they’ve been tested with most of my homemade nut butters, several brands of protein powder and a few different flavors. Ultimately, this version emerged as the true winner and now I like to think of them as the poster child of healthy, easy snacking. No grains, low carb, healthy fats, no sugar added, and a good mix of both protein and fiber.
Truth be told, this probably is one of my most favorite snacks on the blog AND they only take 5 minutes to whip up.
I do want to tell you a little bit more about the nutrition & ingredients in these peanut butter balls, because I’m like a Mom when it comes to recipes. I love guiding you along so that you’re always prepared & informed.
First things, first is the peanut butter! You’ll want to use an all natural drippy peanut butter. I really like Trader Joe’s peanut butter made with only roasted peanuts and salt. Another favorite is Santa Cruz Dark Roasted Peanut Butter because it tastes like gold (if that were a thing).
Next up is the coconut flour. Although you’ll only need a small amount, it is critical in the recipe. I do suspect that you could try a gluten free oat flour, but no promises on that!
Lastly is the protein powder. The protein powder is necessary to make the recipe work. I tested this with about three different protein powders, but the favorite version was made was Aloha’s Vanilla Protein Powder — a plant-based protein powder which contains 18g of protein per serving and it’s also 100% free of artificial sweeteners, chemicals and fillers. I love this stuff in smoothies and baked goods — it’s what I used to make my flourless grain free peanut butter zucchini bread this past summer!
I can’t wait to see you all make some of these balls. That’s a weird statement, but so true. Snap a photo and make sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so I can see your lovely creations! xo.
More no bake snacks you’ll love:
No Bake Superfood Brownie Energy Bars + video
Salted Date Brownie Energy Bites
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie Energy Bites with Chia + Cacao Nibs
Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars + video!
Coconut & Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Healthy Cookie Dough Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all natural drippy peanut butter (any nut butter will work)
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour, plus more if necessary
- 1/2 cup protein powder (I used Aloha Vanilla Protein Powder)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk, plus more if necessary
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Instructions
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In a large bowl, add all ingredients except chocolate chips. Mix together using a wooden spoon until ingredients are well combined and resemble a soft cookie dough. If it seems to dry add a teaspoon or two more almond milk. If too wet, add a teaspoon more of coconut flour. (The important note is that you'll want to be able to roll the dough into balls that stick together well.)
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Stir in chocolate chips, then roll into 12 tablespoon sized balls. Transfer to an airtight container and store in fridge. Makes 12 balls.
Recipe Notes
To make vegan: Use vegan chocolate chips such as enjoy life, or leave out chocolate chips completely.
Nutrition without chocolate chips: Calories: 123 | Fat 8.6g | Carbs 4.4g | Fiber 1.5g | Sugar: 1g | Protein 5.5g
I recommend using Aloha's protein powder which is plant based and made without stevia (they use a small amount of coconut sugar). It's my absolute favorite vegan protein powder out there and makes these balls irresistible. If you decide to use another protein powder, make sure that it's all natural, no sugar added and clean.
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Photography by: Sarah Fennel
For more healthy and delicious snack recipes, follow my Healthy Snack board on Pinterest:
Follow Monique Volz | Ambitious Kitchen’s board Healthy Snackin’ on Pinterest.
33 comments
These little guys are such a perfect afternoon snack when Im craving something sweet! Love that they take only a few minutes to whip up!
YUM! This peanut butter cookie dough recipe would probably be gone before I even form the balls!
I am such a fan of protein balls and especially love recipes that don’t call for dates and have a little extra protein in them! These look fabulous for my mid-afternoon snack!
I can’t think of a more perfect snack to help wean us off from all the holiday desserts!!
I love that you measured the protein powder. So many bloggers say ‘1 scoop’, which is so confusing! I’ve seen scoops that range from 2T- 1C…rant over. Thanks again!
OMG, YUM! These look really, really good and perfect for a healthy start for this year!
Such a “healthylicious” recipe! A protein-and-fiber rich snack is indeed the best!
I could certainly go for a healthier snack after the holidays. These protein balls sound delicious. Who doesn’t love cookie dough and peanut butter?!
I made these last night, and they were great. I needed much more than the 1 tbsp of milk (about 4+ tbsp), and they were still a little dry. I used a different protein powder, so that’s probably the difference. I also used regular milk due to an almond allergy. I think I’m going to try them again tonight with more milk and coconut milk.
Hi Megan! I’m so glad that you made these already & also happy to hear that you were able to adjust them. When I use the Aloha protein powder they are nice and doughy (like cookie dough), so I’m guessing the protein powder was the difference. Thanks for reporting back! 🙂
These sound and look amazing! I am all about snacks that taste like treats but leave me feeling great. These little bites are totally up my alley. Thanks for sharing!
LOVE your page girl! How did I need find it sooner? These look amazing! xx
I just made these! I used your coupon code to buy some Aloha protein powder, and it arrived yesterday 🙂 Super delicious! (I actually forgot to include the coconut flour, and they still came out great) Thank you!
That’s so great to hear! Love that protein powder 🙂
Nothing like a perfect ball recipe. BALLS BALLS BALLS.
can you make these without protein powder?
They wouldn’t really have the same consistency, nor taste quite the same and frankly I’m not sure they would work! I have only tested the recipe as written above!
Hi! I’m new to the blog and love it! Just ordered some Alaho protein powder. I’m excited to try this recipe. I’m not crazy about chocolate chips (don’t judge). Do you think oats would be a good replacement? Or would that not fit this recipe and just simply omit the choc chips? Thank you!
These look amazing! Was thinking of using cacao nibs in lieu of chocolate chips – thoughts?
Sounds delicious!!
i made them with almond butter, oat flour and chocolate protein powder. so yummy and chocolaty i didn’t need the chocolate chips. i plan to freeze a few. hope that works!
Yes, freezing works! 🙂
Ok just whipped these up and I’m happy with how they came out! Made a bunch of modifications with what I had on hand, but in case anyone else was wondering, peanut flour lends itself well in this recipe for the protein powder, or at least part of it (I used half peanut half something else)
Glad these aren’t sweet- they are a perfect pre-/post-workout snack for me!!
Hey! I don’t have any vegan protein powder. Will it make a difference if I use regular whey powder..? Sorry if that’s a dumb question! I’m kinda new to the protein baking scene! Thanks!
These looks so yummy! Do you think I could make these with oats instead of protein powder?!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for including complete nutrition information on your recipe! As a mom of a kiddo with T1D it makes life so much easier :).
These are the best protein balls I have tried. I LOVE them…almost too tasty, LOL..must. practice.portion.control!!:) Thank you for this recipe!
I used BioTrust Vanilla protein powder and added more milk, and keep them frozen/cold. SO GOOD.
Thank you for sharing. I used cashew butter and vanilla Shakeology. So glad no bake and didn’t have time turn the oven on.
Perfect!!
My kids and I loved this recipe! The balls are tasty and super simple to make.
You mentioned you liked the one protein powder because it used coconut sugar and not stevia. What is it about stevia that you’d prefer not to use it?
Such a great snack! Stevia is a much sweeter sugar alternative to coconut sugar, which makes it tricky to use. I also don’t prefer the flavor that it gives treats (a strange after taste in my opinion).
These are really delicious and super easy to make! I used Julian Bakery Egg White Vanilla protein powder. The taste is great, I used about 1.5 tbsp almond milk but I wish I had used a little more. I would recommend forming one ball and seeing the texture before committing to making all 12 of them so you can see if you need to tweak anything.
Perfect! And yes, great tip.