These no-bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls give you a quick energy boost any time you need it. With 12g of protein and only 3.8g carbs per serving, this keto friendly snack helps you stay focused on your day.
When you’re trying to increase your protein intake, having a few easy keto snack ideas is paramount to success. And these no-bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls are one of my favorites. Made with creamy peanut butter, almond flour, and protein powder, they’re perfect for curbing hunger without the added carbs.
I created this recipe a few years ago when I needed more low-carb high-protein recipes I could make quickly. I am often on the go, headed to a workout or to a child’s performance, and I need quick bites I can grab as I head out the door. I do not like to be caught out hungry and with no good keto options!
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These keto protein balls became an instant hit for me, and for my readers too! They require no special equipment and no baking. Just you, your ingredients, and a good silicone spatula. And they pack a significant protein punch, with plenty of healthy fats too.
Reader’s Thoughts
“Peanut Butter protein balls popped on my screen today and I realized I had all the ingredients so these quick, no-bake treats became a lunchtime effort for me. Wowowow! My only challenge now is not eating them all! Thank you for this recipe – delicious, satisfying and EASY.” — Jeannine
Why we love this recipe
- Easy to make: These no bake protein balls take all of 15 minutes to make!
- No special equipment: It’s easy to just mix your ingredients by hand, so you don’t need to dirty a food processor.
- Make ahead: This is a great recipe for storing in the fridge. They last up to two weeks so you can grab a bite whenever you need it.
- Adaptable: You can adapt this recipe easily for your preferred nut butter, protein powder, flours, etc.
- Great flavor: They taste like peanut butter cookie dough!
- Great macros: With 12 grams of protein and less than 7 grams of carbs, these are a great snack for keto and low carb diets.
Ingredient Notes
- Peanut butter: Use a natural creamy peanut butter. If it’s the kind that separates and has a lot of oil at the top, mix it in well. Other nut butters, like almond butter, will also work.
- Protein powder: I recommend a protein isolate as it will give you a higher protein count. See expert tips for more protein options.
- Sweetener: Powdered sweeteners like Swerve Confectioners work best, so they don’t get gritty. Check out the expert tips for more sweetener options.
- Almond flour: You do need some flour to add bulk and create a dough. But it doesn’t have to be almond flour. You can use a few tablespoons of peanut flour or coconut flour too.
- Hemp seeds: Hemp seeds have a surprising amount of protein and add a nutty crunch to the protein balls. This is entirely optional.
- Chocolate chips: Mini chocolate chips work best in these, as it’s easier to roll them into balls.
- Pantry staples: Butter or oil, vanilla extract, salt.
Quick Overview: How to make Keto Protein Balls
- Melt the peanut butter: It’s a lot easier to mix in the sweetener, protein powder, and other ingredients if you melt the peanut butter first. I do this in the microwave but you can also do it in a pan on the stovetop over low heat.
- Add the other ingredients: Using a flexible silicone spatula, work the dry ingredients into the peanut butter until it become like a dough.
- Add the chocolate chips, if using: Stir in the chocolate chips until well distributed.
- Roll into balls: Use your hands to roll into 1 inch balls. You should get about 20 of them.
Expert Tips
You have a lot of choices for these keto protein balls, so you can customize and adjust as you see fit. You can use other nut or seed butters and different kinds of protein. And you can sweeten them more or less, according to your tastes.
If your dough is too stiff and won’t hold together, add a bit more oil. If the dough is too goopy and you can’t roll it into balls, work in a bit more flour.
Protein Options
- Whey protein: I like a whey protein isolate as it has a higher protein content and a lower carb count. You can use vanilla or unflavored. If using vanilla, you may want to reduce the sweetener and the added vanilla extract.
- Egg white protein powder: I find that plain egg white protein gives these protein balls a funny flavor. So if you want to use it, go for the vanilla variety and reduce sweetener and vanilla accordingly.
- Plant protein: Pea protein, hemp protein, and other plant based protein powders should also work well here. Make sure they don’t have a greenish tinge as some do.
- Collagen protein: You can also use collagen protein (aka collagen peptides) but it has a different consistency in recipes like this. So you will likely have to add additional flour to firm up the dough.
Sweetener Options
You can use your preferred sweetener for these Peanut Butter Protein Balls, but you may need to make some adjustments to get the correct consistency.
Confectioner’s style powdered sweeteners add bulk without grittiness, so they are my preference. But it can be erythritol, allulose, or BochaSweet. I don’t recommend granular sweeteners as they just won’t mix in well enough.
Concentrated extracts like stevia and monk fruit also work, but they don’t add any bulk and you may need to add some additional flour. Liquid allulose will throw off the liquid/dry balance, so you would need to add more flour there as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protein balls have a number of advantages. They are easy to make and extremely portable for on-the-go snacks. And they are an excellent source of energy, with the ideal combination of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. They keep you full and satisfied for whatever the day throws your way!
Store the balls in a covered container on the counter for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for several months.
This recipe for peanut butter protein balls has 6.8g of carbs and 3g of fiber. The net carb count comes to 3.8g for 2 balls.
More high protein recipes
Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe
Servings: 10 servings
These no-bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls give you a quick energy boost any time you need it. With 12g of protein and only 3.8g carbs per serving, this keto friendly snack helps you stay focused on your day.
Prevent your screen from going dark
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In a large microwave safe bowl, melt the peanut butter with the butter until it can be stirred together.
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Add the protein powder, sweetener, almond flour, hemp seeds, and vanilla extract. Mix until a cohesive dough forms and you can roll into firm balls (see notes for any adjustments).
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Stir in the chocolate chips until well distributed.
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Roll into balls about 1 inch in diameter. You should get 20 balls. Refrigerate until firm.
Storage Information: Store the balls in a covered container on the counter for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for several months.
Serving: 2balls | Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.8g | Protein: 12.1g | Fat: 14.6g | Fiber: 3g
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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