Peanut butter and chocolate. Two of my favorite things. Protein balls. Another favorite thing. Hundreds of recipes for protein balls, especially the no bake kind, have popped up all over everywhere. I’m not sure who originally came up with the idea, but I’d like to hug them.
I’ve tried several recipes and have played with the recipes to come up with what has become my absolute favorite!
What’s so special about protein balls? You can make a big batch for the week and gobble them up as an easy breakfast, a quick snack, a pop of protein before a workout or as a an occasional dessert.
The best thing about this recipe is that it is super flexible and you can add or substitute any ingredients to meet your dietary needs.
Chocolate Chips: I generally use milk chocolate chips. I know, I know… sugar. I’m really trying to fall in love with dark chocolate but it’s just so bitter to me. Once I have finished the mounds of chips I currently have in my pantry I plan on trying a few recipes I have found for homemade chips using sweeteners other than sugar. I have also heard good things about Lily’s Chocolate – All Natural Dark Chocolate Premium Baking Chips. I may try those too.
Nut Butter: If you are allergic to peanuts, you could use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, or others. I personally think almond butter would be a great alternative choice! I typically use an all natural peanut butter I can find at my local grocery store. The honey adds just enough sweetness where you don’t even miss the added sugar those other peanut butters have.
Alternative Sweetener: I love the taste of the honey in this recipe. I’ve seen other protein ball recipes use agave, but I can’t say how that would taste since I do not use agave.
Why add flax seed? Flax seed has many health benefits that can improve digestion, lower cholesterol, reduce sugar cravings and balance hormones just to name a few. Flax seed is also chock full of nutritional benefits. Just a 3 tablespoon serving of flaxseeds contains Omega-3, Fiber, Protein, Vitamin B1, Manganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium, vitamin B6, Iron, potassium, copper and zinc.
Just remember when you begin experimenting with the ingredients, the balance of the recipe could get a little off. If they get too dry, add a few more sticky/wet ingredients or too wet add in some more oats. You want to be able to easily roll them into a ball and not fall apart.
Protein balls are really all about customization! Just take a look in your pantry and fridge and get to mixin’!
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
balls
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- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup ground flax seed
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Ingredients
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- Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed.
- Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. I use a small cookie scoop.
- Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
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