If you're after a quick, healthy snack that actually tastes good, these no bake almond butter protein balls with oats are about to become your go-to. They're soft, chewy, naturally sweet, and packed with protein - all made in one bowl with zero baking required.
Quick Summary - Almond Butter Protein Balls with Oats
These no bake almond butter protein balls tick all the boxes - quick, easy, nutritious, and genuinely delicious. Whether you need a healthy snack, a post-gym bite, or something to satisfy a sweet craving, this recipe delivers every time.
- Beth (Effortless Foodie)
🕒 Ready In: 10 minutes (+ setting time)
👪 Serves: 10
🍽 Calories: 192 per almond butter oat ball
🥣 Main Ingredients: Oats, Vanilla Protein Powder, Almond Butter
📖 Dietary Info: High protein, naturally sweetened, refined sugar-free, meal-prep friendly, freezer-friendly
👌 Difficulty: Easy
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Perfect for busy days, post-workout fuel, or an afternoon energy boost, these almond butter protein balls come together in minutes (just like my no bake flapjacks), using simple pantry ingredients like wholesome rolled oats, ground flaxseed, golden honey, almond butter, and vanilla protein powder.
No fuss, no oven, and no complicated steps - just a high-protein snack you can feel good about eating.
Even better? These are protein balls without peanut butter, making them ideal if you prefer a milder, slightly sweeter flavour. The almond butter pairs beautifully with the vanilla protein powder for a comforting taste that's hard to resist.
If you love oat-based snacks, you might also like my classic flapjacks, banana, peanut butter & honey flapjacks or chewy granola bars. For breakfast, air fryer baked oats or a bowl of Nutella porridge are equally delicious ways to enjoy oats.
We loved these energy balls, so tasty and filling. Perfect for the teens lunchboxes! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Vanessa
Jump to:
- Quick Summary - Almond Butter Protein Balls with Oats
- ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- 🛒 Key Ingredients
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- 📖 Variations
- 🔪 How to make almond butter protein balls
- Top Tips
- 🍴 Serving suggestions
- Storage
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Troubleshooting Guide
- 😋 More easy snack recipes with oats
- Recipe
- 💬 Comments
✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- No bake and ready in minutes - simply mix, roll, and chill.
- High in protein - helps keep you energised and satisfied.
- Made with oats - adds fibre and a deliciously chewy texture.
- Naturally sweetened - no refined sugar required.
- One-bowl recipe - minimal effort and washing up.
- Easy to customise - add chocolate chips, seeds, or dried fruit to suit your taste.
🛒 Key Ingredients
A full ingredients list along with Metric and US Customary measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Porridge Oats - Rolled porridge oats provide a wholesome, chewy base that keeps you feeling full and satisfied.
Vanilla Protein Powder - Adds a smooth, natural sweetness while boosting protein to support your energy levels. You could also use a flavourless protein powder if you prefer. I use WillPowders Vanilla Protein Powder.
Ground Flaxseed (flax seed) - Packed with fibre and omega-3s.
Cinnamon - Adds warmth and a subtle spiced sweetness.
Almond Butter - Adds creaminess, healthy fats, and a rich, nutty taste. Swap for peanut butter or cashew butter.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Have an allergy or dietary preference? Let AI customise the recipe for you.
📖 Variations
- Swap the vanilla protein powder for chocolate or strawberry flavour, or even a flavourless one.
- Use peanut butter instead of almond butter and add chocolate chips.
- Mix in dried berries like cranberries or blueberries.
- Add chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or chia seeds for extra texture.
- Roll the balls in desiccated coconut for a tropical flavour.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey.
🔪 How to make almond butter protein balls
One: Combine porridge oats, vanilla protein powder, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, vanilla extract, honey, almond butter, and milk in a large mixing bowl.
Two: Stir everything together until you have a sticky, well-blended mixture.
Three: Roll the mixture into 10 bite-sized balls and place on a lined baking tray.
Four: Melt a little dark chocolate and drizzle over the energy balls, then place them in the fridge to firm up for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.
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Top Tips
- Use runny nut butter for the best texture - if yours is thick, warm it slightly to make mixing easier.
- Taste before rolling and adjust the sweetness or flavourings to suit your preference.
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure evenly sized protein balls.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Enjoy 2-3 homemade protein snack balls as a post-workout pick-me-up, a quick and easy breakfast, or a mid-morning or afternoon snack alongside a cup of tea or coffee for a steady energy boost.
Storage
Store - Keep the vanilla protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Freeze - Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months and thaw before eating.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can easily switch the vanilla protein powder for chocolate protein powder to make rich chocolate protein balls, or try other flavours like strawberry for a fruity twist. Just taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness if needed, as different protein powders can vary.
Yes! Use maple syrup instead of honey and plant-based milk to keep them completely vegan.
Yes, you can leave it out and replace it with extra oats or ground nuts, although the protein content will be lower.
Yes! These are protein balls without peanut butter, using almond butter instead for a milder flavour and slightly softer texture.
Troubleshooting Guide
If your protein balls don't turn out quite right, don't worry - these quick fixes will help you get the perfect texture and flavour every time.
Too dry: Add a splash of milk, a little at a time, until the mixture comes together into a soft dough.
Too sticky: Stir in a few extra oats or chill the mixture in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm it up.
Lacking flavour: Add a little more honey or maple syrup, or a splash of vanilla extract to boost the taste.
Too soft: Chill for longer in the fridge to help the protein balls firm up properly.
Too chalky: Use a high-quality protein powder such as WillPowders
😋 More easy snack recipes with oats
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Recipe
Easy No Bake Almond Butter Protein Balls
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 150 g Rolled Oats
- 40 g Vanilla Protein Powder or use a different flavour or flavourless one
- 1 tablespoon Ground Flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 150 g Almond Butter
- 4 tablespoon Milk
- 20 g Dark Chocolate
Instructions
- Combine porridge oats, vanilla protein powder, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, vanilla extract, honey, almond butter, and milk in a large mixing bowl.150 g Rolled Oats, 40 g Vanilla Protein Powder, 1 tablespoon Ground Flaxseed, ½ teaspoon Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1 tablespoon Honey, 150 g Almond Butter, 4 tablespoon Milk
- Stir everything together until you have a sticky, well-blended mixture.
- Roll the mixture into 10 bite-sized balls and place on a lined baking tray.
- Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave and drizzle over the balls, then place them in the fridge to firm up for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.20 g Dark Chocolate
Video
Notes
- Protein powders vary: if the mixture is dry, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time; if sticky, add more oats.
- Nut butter consistency matters: thick or cold nut butter may need gently warming to mix properly.
- Taste before rolling: sweetness is easy to adjust at this stage.
- For easier rolling: dampen hands.
- Storage: keep refrigerated in an airtight container; freeze for longer storage.
Vanessa says
We loved these energy balls, so tasty and filling. Perfect for the teens lunchboxes!
Valerie Marshall says
I would've to try this. Not sure how much 0.4c is.
Beth Sachs says
Hi Valerie. Apologies, I have now corrected this. It should read 1/3 cup (US). As I'm in the UK I find it difficult to convert into US weights and measures as we use grams.