No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls (Protein Energy Bites)

Looking for a quick snack that’s nourishing and helps keeps you full? These no-bake peanut butter balls also known as peanut butter energy balls or peanut butter protein balls are bite-sized, protein-packed, and made with simple ingredients. With creamy peanut butter, honey, nuts, seeds, and a touch of chocolate, they mix together in minutes to give you energy. Best of all, no oven, blender, or food processor required! Perfect for busy days, lunchboxes, or a post-workout boost, these little energy bites fit right into your collection of easy healthy snack ideas.

What Are Protein Balls?

Protein balls are small, no-bake snacks made with nut butter, natural sweeteners, and nutrient-dense add-ins like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or oats. They’re designed to be both satisfying and energizing, offering a balance of protein, healthy fats, and fiber in every bite.

Unlike store bought bars loaded with refined sugar and additives, homemade protein balls use simple ingredients you can feel good about. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for keeping in the fridge for grab-and-go fuel. If you love trying new healthy recipes, this one will quickly become a favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Whole-food ingredients – Peanut butter, honey, nuts, berries, seeds, and a touch of chocolate.
• Naturally energizing – A balanced snack with protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
• Quick & no-bake – Ready in just minutes with simple ingredients and zero oven time.
• No fancy equipment – All you need is a bowl and spoon (a cookie scoop is handy, but optional).
• Perfectly portable – Bite-sized snacks you can pack for school, work, or post-workout.
• Customizable – Add ground flax seeds, swap in different dried fruit, or mix up the nuts and seeds to create your own version of protein ball recipes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Creamy peanut butter – The protein rich base that holds everything together. Make sure it’s at room temperature so the mixture stirs and rolls easily.
• Honey – A natural sweetener and binder, adding just the right touch of sweetness.
• Cranberries – Chewy, slightly tart, and full of antioxidants.
• Pepitas – Crunchy pumpkin seeds packed with protein, magnesium, and zinc.
• Pistachios – Add healthy fats, fiber, and a colorful pop of flavor.
• Granola – Gives body, crunch, and extra whole grains for sustained energy.
• Mini chocolate chips – A little indulgence that balances the nuttiness and makes every bite irresistible.

Note: Set aside extra pepitas, granola, and chocolate chips for rolling the balls in a crunchy coating.

How to Shop for Ingredients

• Peanut butter – Look for natural peanut butter with just peanuts (and maybe a little salt).
• Honey – Choose raw, unfiltered honey for the richest flavor and more natural nutrients.
• Dried fruit – Unsweetened cranberries, cherries, or raisins add natural sweetness.
• Nuts & seeds – Buy raw or lightly roasted pepitas for maximum crunch and nutrition. Unsalted gives you more control over flavor.
• Granola – Go for a simple, whole-grain granola with minimal added sugar. Homemade is even better!
• Chocolate chips – A high quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate keeps the recipe balanced without being overly sweet.

Disclaimer: I share these ingredient tips based on my own experience and research. I am not a doctor or dietitian, and this information is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Medium mixing bowl – For combining peanut butter, honey, and mix-ins.
• Small plate – For the coating mixture.
• 1-inch cookie scoop – Makes portioning and shaping the balls easier (and less sticky).
• Parchment paper – To keep balls from sticking and for easy cleanup.
• Airtight container – For storing your snack in the fridge to keep them fresh.

How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Step 1 – In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and honey, and stir until fully combined and creamy. If your peanut butter is cold or stiff, let it sit at room temp for a bit so it mixes smoothly with the honey.

Step 2 – Stir in the cranberries, pepitas, pistachios, granola, and chocolate chips until everything is evenly mixed. Tip: If the mixture is too thick or not sweet enough, add a little more honey. If it’s too loose, add extra peanut butter or granola.

Step 3 – In a small bowl, combine the reserved pepitas, granola, and chocolate chips for the coating, and set aside.

Step 4 – Use a 1-inch cookie scoop or your hands to form the peanut butter and honey mixture into balls.

Step 5 – Roll each ball in the coating until evenly covered. Arrange the peanut butter balls in a single layer in a parchment lined food storage container.

Step 6 – Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm, before serving.

Recipe Summary

How to make protein balls: Mix peanut butter + honey → stir in granola, chocolate chips, seeds, dried fruit → scoop and roll → chill → enjoy.

Recipe Tips

• Balance the texture – Too sticky? Add extra granola or oats. Too dry? Drizzle in more honey or a spoonful of peanut butter.
• Boost the nutrition – Mix in ground flax seeds, chia seeds, or hemp hearts for even more protein and fiber.
• Make them allergy-friendly – Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter.
• Double the batch – These disappear fast! Make extra and store in the fridge for a week’s worth of easy healthy snacks.
• Get creative with coatings – Roll in coconut flakes or crushed nuts to switch up the flavor.
• Room-temperature peanut butter – Use room-temperature peanut butter; cold peanut butter makes the mixture hard to stir and roll..

Storage & Reheating

• Store – Store the peanut butter balls in a single layer in an airtight container. You’ll need to refrigerate them to keep fresh—they’ll last up to 1 week.
• Reheat – No reheating needed! These are meant to be eaten chilled. If they’ve been in the fridge for a while and feel too firm, let them sit out for 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Lunchboxes – Pack them in lunchboxes for a quick, wholesome snack.
• Morning coffee or tea – Enjoy a couple with your morning coffee or tea for an energy boost.
• Snack board – Serve on a snack board alongside fresh fruit, cheese, and crackers.
• Post-workout – Keep a batch in the fridge for post-workout fuel.
• Gatherings & potlucks – Bring them to gatherings or potlucks as a healthier sweet bite.

Variations to Try

• Swap the dried fruit – Use raisins, dried cherries, or chopped dates instead of cranberries.
• Change the nuts/seeds – Try sunflower seeds, almonds, or cashews in place of pepitas.
• Add coconut – Mix in shredded coconut or roll the balls in coconut flakes for extra texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls (Protein & Energy Bites)

A Wife and Her Home

Easy no-bake protein energy balls made with simple ingredients. A quick, protein-packed, easy healthy snack recipe for busy days.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Chill Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Equipment

• 1 medium mixing bowl 
• 1 small plate 
• 1 1-inch cookie scoop
• Parchment paper
• airtight container 

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup cranberries
• ½ cup pepitas, plus ⅓ cup additional for coating
• ½ cup pistachios, chopped
• ½ cup granola, plus ⅓ cup additional for coating
• ½ cup mini dark chocolate chips, plus ⅓ cup additional for coating
• ⅓ cup honey

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and honey, and stir until fully combined and creamy. If your peanut butter is cold or stiff, let it sit at room temp for a bit so it mixes smoothly with the honey.
• Stir in the cranberries, pepitas, pistachios, granola, and chocolate chips until everything is evenly mixed. Tip: If the mixture is too thick or not sweet enough, add a little more honey. If it’s too loose, add extra peanut butter or granola.
• In a small bowl, combine the reserved pepitas, granola, and chocolate chips for the coating, and set aside.
• Use a 1-inch cookie scoop or your hands to form the peanut butter and honey mixture into balls.
• Roll each ball in the coating until evenly covered. Arrange the peanut butter balls in a single layer in a parchment lined food storage container.
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm, before serving.

Notes

Store – Store the peanut butter balls in a single layer in an airtight container. You’ll need to refrigerate them to keep fresh—they’ll last up to 1 week.

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