These easy chocolate peanut butter protein balls are a quick and delicious no-bake snack perfect for enjoying on the go! Made with only five healthy ingredients and no dates, oats, or protein powder, these homemade energy balls are the ultimate peanut butter and chocolate flavor combination to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you full.
This post is sponsored by Naked Nutrition and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Savor The Spoonful possible!
If you're looking for something light and quick for breakfast, a healthy addition to your kid's lunch box, or a late-night treat to satisfy those sweet cravings, these peanut butter and chocolate protein balls are the perfect recipe! Mix up a batch in minutes and enjoy them all week long. They are great for meal prepping and freeze well, too.
Looking for more easy no-bake recipes? Try these 3-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls and these healthy no-bake pumpkin balls! For something more decadent, these edible cookie dough bites with chocolate chips are a quick and tasty treat.
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Why You'll Love These Protein Balls
- Quick and easy - You only need 5 healthy ingredients to make these energy balls quickly and easily at home. No protein powder, no dates, and no oats are needed.
- No-bake recipe - It only takes a few minutes to mix up the ingredients and you can enjoy the chocolate protein balls right away!
- Protein-packed - Made with peanut butter and chocolate peanut butter powder, every ball is full of protein and healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied.
- Healthy ingredients - No sugar is added to the recipe, just maple syrup! The recipe is gluten-free and vegan when you use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Low calorie - Each protein ball is around 68 calories when you make a batch of 20.
Ingredients
These peanut butter chocolate protein balls are easy to make with only 5 ingredients. Below are helpful ingredient notes. Remember to see the recipe card at the bottom for all ingredient information.
- Creamy peanut butter - Any creamy peanut butter works well. If you use natural peanut butter that has a drippy consistency, you may need to add extra powdered peanut butter or cocoa powder to give the protein balls a firm shape.
- Pure maple syrup - This sweetens the protein balls without needing to use white sugar. Pure maple syrup is the healthiest choice and provides the best flavor.
- Naked Nutrition Chocolate Powdered Peanut Butter - This powdered peanut butter is chocolate flavored and adds protein to the recipe and delicious flavor!
- Cocoa powder - Adds a rich dark chocolate flavor to the energy bites.
- Mini chocolate chips - Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate mini chocolate chips are the perfect addition to these chocolate protein balls.
Step-by-Step Instructions
These no-bake protein bites mix together in minutes! Here are step-by-step instructions for how to make healthy peanut butter chocolate chip protein balls:
STEP 1: Add all recipe ingredients except the mini chocolate chips to a large mixing bowl.
STEP 2: Stir the ingredients together until a thick and sticky mixture begins to form. It will be crumbly at first but will come together the more you stir.
STEP 3: Fold in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed. The mixture should be very thick and a bit sticky.
STEP 4: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to form small bite-sized balls. Roll them in your hands to create a smooth round shape.
STEP 5: Enjoy the protein balls right away, or place them in the fridge to chill for an hour and firm up even more. They taste delicious either way!
TIP: If the mixture is too sandy or crumbly, you may need to add extra maple syrup or a splash of water. If the protein balls are too soft to form balls, add extra cocoa powder or powdered peanut butter until they are thick enough to hold their shape.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use a cookie scoop - Using a small cookie scoop to form the protein balls ensures they are similar in size and shape. It also keeps your hands clean!
- Chill before serving - You can enjoy the chocolate balls right away, but they taste even better when they are chilled and firm up in the fridge for an hour.
- Double the batch - Make protein bites for the whole family and double the batch! This makes the perfect amount to share with friends, take to a party, or freeze for later and enjoy quickly on the go.
- Add mix-ins - Get creative and mix in chopped nuts, extra chocolate chips, oats, or your favorite toppings to make this the perfect protein ball recipe for you.
- Top with sea salt - Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the protein balls for a yummy chocolate sea salt flavor.
Read about more ways to customize the chocolate balls in the next section below!
Easy Chocolate Protein Ball Variations
The best thing about an easy no-bake recipe is the ability to make adjustments to suit your preferences. Here are some quick and easy protein ball variations to try:
- Without peanut butter - Replace peanut butter with creamy cashew butter, sunflower butter, or almond butter instead.
- With chia seeds - Add extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats to the recipe by mixing in a few tablespoons of chia seeds. Ground flax seed is another healthy option.
- White chocolate peanut butter balls - Use mini white chocolate chips for a sweeter taste and a delicious chocolate flavor combination!
- Without chocolate chips - You can omit the chocolate chips completely if you prefer. This makes the protein balls a great option for breakfast.
Give this 2-ingredient peanut butter fudge a try for more peanut butter goodness!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are approximately 68 calories in each protein ball if you make 20 small balls. If they are larger, they will have more calories. If smaller, they will have less. You can customize the size to your liking!
Protein balls are a healthy on-the-go snack full of peanut butter and protein powder to keep you full and satisfied. Made with cocoa powder and pure maple syrup, they are low in sugar and low in calories, making them a healthy treat.
Yes! These protein balls use powdered peanut butter instead of protein powder. You can replace the powder with rolled oats or extra cocoa powder and adjust the consistency as needed by using more or less maple syrup.
If your peanut butter and chocolate protein balls come out runny or soft, you need to add more powdered peanut butter or cocoa powder to thicken the mixture. If you are using natural peanut butter, reduce the amount slightly.
Storing & Freezing
Keep leftover chocolate protein balls fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-7 days. They taste delicious chilled!
For longer storage, freeze the protein bites in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before enjoying them again. They are the perfect make-ahead treat to pull out anytime you want!
Did you make these no-bake peanut butter chocolate protein balls? Please leave a star rating and review. This supports my blog and helps other readers! If you post a photo on Instagram and tag me, I would love to share it. Remember to follow me on Pinterest and join my email list to stay updated with the newest recipes. Enjoy!
Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Large Spoon or Rubber Spatula
- 1 Cookie Scoop Optional
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter *see notes
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 scoops Naked Nutrition Chocolate Powdered Peanut Butter or other powdered peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except the chocolate chips to a large mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until a thick and sticky mixture forms. It may be crumbly and powdery at first, but it will come together the more you stir. If it doesn't, add an extra drizzle of maple syrup or a splash of water to make it easier.½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 scoops Naked Nutrition Chocolate Powdered Peanut Butter
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the chocolate protein ball mixture.⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to form small, evenly-sized balls. Roll them in your hands to create a smooth, round shape. If desired, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top the balls for a chocolate sea salt flavor.
- Enjoy the protein balls immediately or transfer them to the fridge to chill and firm up for an hour. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-7 days, or freeze for longer storage (see notes).
Amanda says
I LOVE these chocolate protein balls! The peanut butter and chocolate flavor combo is awesome and they aren't overly sweet. They are perfect for packing in lunch boxes or enjoying after dinner for a healthy dessert when you need something quick and light. I will definitely be making these again!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Amanda, I am so happy you enjoyed the protein balls! I agree they are the perfect sweetness. I hope you make them again and continue to enjoy them for lunch or a late-night snack!
Barb says
Awesome recipe. I make protein balls a lot but needed a new recipe to try. These peanut butter chocolate ones are delicious and the kids loved them too! I like that they use healthy ingredients and no protein powder or sugar. Feels good eating these for breakfast or for dessert. Thanks for the recipe!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Barb, thanks for giving the recipe a try! Peanut butter and chocolate is an unbeatable flavor combo. It's even better that these are healthy but taste like dessert. Thank you for the review!
Beth says
For the chocolate powdered peanut butter....you say scoops, but what would the rough measurement be for tablespoon/teaspoon? Scoops vary in size
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Beth, great question! Two scoops is approximately 1/3 cup (0.33 cup) of powdered peanut butter. Enjoy the protein balls!
Marley says
I’ve been loving protein snacks and desserts lately and these chocolate pb protein balls were delicious!! These are definitely going to be one of my new go-to protein packed treats. 🙂
Becci says
This made 14 balls for me. I did about a T each. Maybe if you have smaller children they could be smaller sized balls. Very creamy chocolate flavor, not very sweet .
Molly says
LOVE these protein balls. So easy to make and the kids loved them too. Super delicious and not too sweet with perfect chocolate flavor. Thanks for the recipe!