If you’ve ever hit that 3 p.m. slump and reached for a granola bar, these no-bake peanut butter protein balls are about to become your new best friend. They’re quick, wholesome, endlessly customizable, and keep beautifully in the fridge or freezer.
Whether you’re meal-prepping snacks for the week, packing lunchboxes, or just need something sweet that still feels smart, these five flavor combos will keep things fresh.
🧰 What You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls: a nested glass set makes prep easy.
- Cookie scoop: a small stainless-steel scoop keeps portions even.
- Natural peanut butter: try Smucker’s Natural PB.
- Old-fashioned oats: Bob’s Red Mill Rolled Oats.
- Mini chocolate chips: Lily’s No-Sugar-Added Dark Mini Chips.
- Optional protein powder: Orgain Vanilla Protein Powder blends smoothly.
- Storage containers: these Snack Containers are fridge/freezer-safe.
🍯 The Base Mix
Start every combo with this foundation:
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt
Stir until combined — then customize with the add-ins below.
🧁 5 Flavor Combos
1. Coconut Crunch
- Base mix + ¼ cup toasted unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
✅ Perfect for: a tropical, slightly chewy pick-me-up.
2. Cinnamon Raisin Energy Bites
- Base mix + ¼ cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional dash of nutmeg
✅ Perfect for: cozy fall-snack vibes or a pre-gym boost.
3. Dark Chocolate Sea Salt
- Base mix + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after rolling
✅ Perfect for: that chocolate craving without the crash.
4. Crunchy Superseed
- Base mix + 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
✅ Perfect for: meal-prep lovers chasing fiber + healthy fats.
5. Cookie Dough Sweet Tooth Edition (💛 bonus!)
- Base mix + ¼ cup mini white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
✅ Perfect for: dessert-like satisfaction while still protein-rich.
💪 Protein Boost Variation
To make any of the above higher-protein, simply:
- Add ¼ cup vanilla or unflavored protein powder, and
- Drizzle in 1–2 tablespoons extra honey or plant milk until the texture is scoopable.
(A blender or food processor — like this Hamilton Beach Compact Processor — makes mixing effortless.)
🥄 How to Make Them (works for every flavor)
- Mix. In a large mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, and any liquid ingredients.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Add oats, salt, and your chosen flavor add-ins until thick.
- Chill 15 minutes for easier rolling.
- Scoop & roll into 1-inch balls using your cookie scoop or hands.
- Store in an airtight container:
- Up to 1 week in the fridge
- Up to 3 months in the freezer
(Tip: line a baking sheet with parchment and freeze the balls first, then transfer to a storage container to prevent sticking.)
🧊 Storage & Meal-Prep Tips
- Pack 2–3 balls per reusable snack bag for grab-and-go portions.
- Keep a variety of flavors in labeled containers for weekday rotation.
- Warm slightly in your hands before eating for that fresh-rolled texture.
🛒 Shop This Post (affiliate round-up)
| Product | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Natural Peanut Butter | Smooth, no-stir base |
| Rolled Oats | Adds fiber & structure |
| Vanilla Protein Powder | Boosts protein content |
| Cookie Scoop | Uniform portioning |
| Glass Mixing Bowls | Durable for prep |
| Storage Containers | Eco-friendly storage |
✨ Final Notes
These peanut-butter protein balls check every box — easy, satisfying, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable. Whip up a double batch on Sunday and you’ll have snack-sized fuel ready for workouts, school runs, or late-night sweet cravings.
Affiliate Disclosure
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stir Studio!