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Simple and healthy, these Vanilla Protein Energy Balls are perfect for on-the-go breakfast, snack or even dessert. They take next to no work to make while being packed with goodness and will satisfy your cravings. No cooking required!
If you’re looking for something healthy and satisfying, then these vanilla protein balls are perfect for you! These little energy bites are incredibly easy to make and are great for keeping on hand for quick and easy breakfast or snack recipes.
If you’re looking for more easy healthy breakfast recipes like these chia balls, you should try my Almond Joy Chia Pudding and No-Bake Energy Balls. They’re so delicious, packed with nutrients, and don’t take long to put together.
Why You’ll Love This Energy Bite Recipe
- They’re so satisfying. Thanks to the addition of protein powder, you’ll find these energy bites so satisfying and you’ll be full until your next meal.
- You can make them ahead of time. They last for a week in the fridge so make a batch and grab them to snack on throughout the week.
- No cooking is required. No need to turn on the oven and heat up the house to make these energy balls. No need to cook anything on the stovetop either! I love no-bake, no-cook recipes as it usually means fewer dishes are used!
What You’ll Need
- Chia seeds: you can use white or black chia seeds.
- Old fashioned rolled oats: make sure you don’t grab steel-cut oats accidentally.
- Vanilla protein powder: I use the premiere whey protein but use what you prefer!
- Creamy peanut butter: be sure to use creamy peanut butter so the balls are smooth and creamy!
- Honey: or sweetener of your choice.
- Vanilla extract: be sure to use pure vanilla extract and not artificial extract.
- Water
- Salt: this is optional.
How To Make Healthy Protein Energy Balls
- Gather the ingredients: Place all the ingredients into a large bowl.
- Mix and roll the balls: Using a spatula, or with your hands, mix everything until well combined. You need to have pliable but firm, dough-like consistency.
- Take a tablespoon-sized piece of dough and with the help of your palms tightly roll even balls. You can also use an ice cream scoop to help you have even portions.
- Chill the vanilla protein balls: Place rolled balls onto a sheet lined with parchment paper and chill for 10 minutes. Once chilled place the balls into an airtight container and store them in a fridge.
Tips and Notes to make the Best Energy Balls Recipe
- If the mixture seems to be on the tough side and does not want to roll into a ball add more water or honey. Do it so 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir well and try rolling again.
- If the mixture seems to be too soft that doesn’t want to hold a ball shape, add oats. Do so 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir well and try rolling again.
- You can add some hemp seeds, collagen, or other add-ins for some extra added nutrition.
- Don’t have peanut butter? Try some almond butter or cashew butter.
- Since we are not cooking or baking this, I highly recommend using a high quality vanilla extract over artificial vanilla extract as the flavors will really shine.
- Don’t want to roll them? You can press the mixture into a square pan and once they’ve chilled, cut them into squares to make them into no-bake vanilla energy bars.
- Honey can be swapped with maple syrup or agave.
FAQs
These vanilla energy balls can be made vegan. Just make sure the protein powder you use is a vegan-friendly version as whey protein is not naturally vegan. You can also swap honey for maple syrup.
Chia seeds are high in protein as well as being high in fiber and omega-3 per serving, making them an extremely healthy ingredient to add to your daily diet. They also improve the health of hair, skin, and nails!
When you’ve finished making the protein balls, place them into an airtight container in the fridge and use them within 5 days.
These vanilla protein bites are so easy to freeze! You can freeze them for up to a month. Freeze the balls in a single layer on a sheet pan before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag so they don’t stick together. Thaw the balls in the refrigerator overnight.
I highly suggest you store these protein balls in the fridge. While they can be kept at room temperature for a while, they keep their shape best when stored in the fridge.
The ingredients to this chia vanilla protein balls recipe are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure that the protein powder is certified gluten-free as some protein powders may contain added gluten or be cross-contaminated.
Rolled oats are perfectly fine to eat raw, especially when combined with other ingredients.
More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love
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Vanilla Protein Energy Balls
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup vanilla protein powder, use vegan if you like
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey, or maple syrup for vegan option
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsps. of water
- dash of salt, optional
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a large bowl.
- Using a spatula, or with your hands, mix everything until well combined. You need to have pliable but firm, dough-like consistency. If the mixture seems to be on the tough side and does not want to roll into a ball add more water or honey. Do it so 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir well and try rolling again.
- If the mixture seems to be too soft that doesn’t want to hold a ball shape, add oats. Do so 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir well and try rolling again.
- Take a tablespoon-sized piece of dough and with the help of your palms tightly roll even balls. You can also use an ice cream scoop to help you have even portions.
- Place rolled balls onto a sheet lined with parchment paper and chill for 10 minutes.
- Once chilled place the balls into an airtight container and store them in a fridge.
- Use within 5 days.
Notes
- If the mixture seems to be on the tough side and does not want to roll into a ball add more water or honey. Do it so 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir well and try rolling again.
- If the mixture seems to be too soft that doesn’t want to hold a ball shape, add oats. Do so 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir well and try rolling again.
- You can add some hemp hearts, collagen, or other add-ins for some extra added nutrition.
- Don’t have peanut butter? Try some almond butter or cashew butter.
- Since we are not cooking or baking this, I highly recommend using a high quality vanilla extract over artificial vanilla extract as the flavors will really shine.
- Don’t want to roll them? You can press the mixture into a square pan and once they’ve chilled, cut them into squares to make them into no-bake vanilla energy bars.
- Honey can be swapped with maple syrup or agave.
My son school has a no nuts policy. Is there a suggested alternative to nut butters? Tahini or condensed milk?
I have never tried an alternative method, but your best bet would be something like sunflowerseed butter, tahini and something yummier like cookie butter. It wouldn’t be as healthy but would make a delicious replacement for kids. The consistency might change, so add the replacement a little bit at a time to achieve the thickness you need.
This recipe is SO good i bake them at least once a week! It is a family fave! if you add chocolat chips it makes them so much better!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review.
It tastes like a rich dessert but… is healthy! Super easy to make and travel with. Convenient snack mid-snowshoeing. Definitely recommend!
Happy you enjoyed it Julia! Thanks for the review.
Hello , love this recipe ! Its yummy and simple
Just two questions
Regarding the nutrition facts can you please specify the service size is it for one ball?
Also how many grams of protein should be put in?
I used iso triple zero vanilla 2 scoops and a half (67.5 g of protein)
Thank you 🙏🏼
Hi Rawan,
The nutritional fact is at the bottom of the recipe card. 20 balls per this recipe. 4 grams protein each. If you want to add more protein, you could. But you will have to add a little bit more water so it’s not too dry. I am not sure how much protein would be in each ball then. There are nutritional calculators online you can try.
Thank you , i have seen the nutrition facts but i was curious regarding the serving size is it 99 calories per ball?
I am asking in order to log it in my fitness tracker
The recipe car automatically adds it up yes. It’s approximately 99 calories. But it all depends on how you measure, and also the type of protein powder you use.
Love these, I used my MONAT Vegan Protein
Maple Syrup and a table spoon of Golden Milk Super Blend
Yay! Happy to hear you enjoyed it Debra! Thanks for adding the vegan adjustments to the comment so others can see it. Thanks also for the review.
I made these yesterday and shaped mine into hearts with a cookie press. I did not have lunch or breakfast but I had one of these instead. This kept me going and I felt good all day. I love that it’s protein-packed and know I’m doing my body good by eating these . My boyfriend and I are into eating healthier, so I packed 2 for him to take with him to work. Thanks cookinwithmima for the recipe, I will be making these again.
Hi Sebra!
So happy to hear that. I have lots of energy ball recipes. Be sure to check them out. I also have some healthy chia puddings as well. Those are great for a healthy breakfast and snack. Thanks for the review.