These no-bake peanut butter oatmeal protein balls take just 15 minutes to prep a batch of 16! Made with simple ingredients including almond flour, and of course chocolate chips, they’re packed with fiber and plant-based protein (10 grams of protein per 2 balls) for a filling and satisfying snack! 

A bowl filled with round energy bites made of oats, chocolate chips, and seeds sits on a white textured cloth with a few bites scattered outside the bowl on a light pink surface.

I’ve tested a lot of energy balls over the years (among my faves are these salted caramel balls and these lemon coconut energy bites), but these peanut butter oatmeal protein balls might just take the top spot. They come together in one bowl, with just eight simple ingredients you might already have on hand, and the texture? Think soft, bite-able chocolate chip oatmeal cookie dough.

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My goal with these babies was to make them higher protein than traditional energy balls, but without protein powder so my kids could enjoy them too. So I put on my dietitian hat and after a few rounds of testing and lots of oat-to-almond flour ratio adjustments, plus the addition of hemp hearts, I finally landed on a winning combo that’s soft, balanced, and totally craveable with absolutely no chalky after taste. 

A flat lay of seven bowls on a pink surface, each containing different ingredients: oats, almond flour, hemp seeds, peanut butter, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.

Let’s Talk Key Ingredients (and Why They’re So Good in These Bites)

Quick oats: Quick oats over old-fashioned rolled oats are the way to go in these. They are softer with a smaller flake and still provide the added fiber for a slow-digesting carb ( aka longer lasting energy). I tested this recipe with 1 cup of oats and found it made the balls too dry and crumbly. The 1:1 ratio with almond flour gives the best cookie dough-like texture.

Almond flour:  Almond flour is much more course than other flours like oat flour or all-purpose flour, keeping the texture of these bites lighter and less dense. Plus it adds 18 grams of protein for just ¾ cup used in this recipe!

Hemp hearts: Don’t skip these if you’re looking to keep these bites high protein! With around 25 grams of protein per ½ cup in this recipe, there’s no need for protein powder. I tested the recipe both with and without and I actually prefer the slightly nutty taste and added texture they provide (bonus, they’re a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s and fiber too!).

Roll With Me: Step-by-Step

These homemade protein balls are about as easy as it gets. Here’s how I make them:

A hand holds a glass bowl filled with a mixture of oats, flour, chocolate chips, and seeds, ready to be mixed for baking.

Toss everything right into a big mixing bowl

A glass bowl filled with a crumbly mixture of oats and small chocolate chips, possibly cookie or granola bar dough, sitting on a light pink surface.

Stir until a cookie dough-like texture forms (it might seem a bit dry at first, just keep going and you’ll see if soften up!)

Roll into balls. If the mixture feels sticky, wet your hands slightly for easier rolling.

A close-up of round, homemade energy bites made with oats, chocolate chips, and seeds, arranged on a white patterned plate.

Chill or eat right away: I usually pop them in the fridge for about 10 minutes to firm up, but you can totally snack on them right away!

That’s it! These also freeze well, so I often like to double up the batch and freeze half for later. Your future self will thank you!

Watch How To Make It Here

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A bowl filled with round energy bites made of oats, chocolate chips, and seeds sits on a white textured cloth with a few bites scattered outside the bowl on a light pink surface.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls (with Almond Flour)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Lindsay Pleskot, RD
  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x
  • Category: Snacks
  • Method: No Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Diabetic
Print Recipe

Description

These easy, no-bake protein balls take just 10 minutes to meal prep and taste like oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough. Packed with fiber, nourishing fats and plant-based protein (10 grams of protein per 2 balls, no protein powder required) they make the perfect filling and satisfying snack for kids and adults alike!

Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup quick oats
  • ¾ cup almond flour
  • ½ cup hemp hearts
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup natural peanut butter
  • 3 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. To a large mixing bowl, add the oats, almond flour, hemp hearts, salt, chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir until well combined and a cookie dough-like texture forms
  2. Roll into about 16 evenly sized balls, pressing slightly to help them stick together. Enjoy right away or store for later.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days, in the fridge up to 1 week or in the freezer up to 3 months.