With these high protein peanut butter balls, you can have your cake and eat it too. That is, you can have a treat that satisfies your sweet tooth while still packing a high protein punch. You’re going to love them.
Jump to RecipeWe’ve tried making peanut butter balls in the past, and they sure are tasty. But with all the butter and extra sugar, they’re not the best choice if you’re trying to eat healthy.
These peanut butter balls are different though. They need just three ingredients, unless you want to add fun extras like sprinkles or chocolate on top.
If you’re like us, you probably love peanut butter recipes. Just look at our homemade gourmet peanut butter, traditional peanut butter balls, and super simple two-ingredient peanut butter cookies.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Whipping up these high-protein peanut butter balls is a breeze. All it takes is a simple combination of three main ingredients: creamy peanut butter, nutritious protein powder, and just the right amount of powdered sugar to add that touch of sweetness.
- Peanut Butter – While we prefer creamy peanut butter for its smooth texture, you could opt for crunchy peanut butter if you enjoy little bits in your treats.
- Protein Powder – We recommend using unflavored protein powder, so it doesn’t compete with the peanut butter’s natural taste. However, if you choose flavors like vanilla or peanut butter, you might want to adjust the sugar quantity.
- Powdered Sugar – We use powdered sugar because it’s finer and blends better than regular granulated sugar, giving a smoother finish.
See recipe card for the quantities.
Instructions
Follow a few simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to creating the tastiest high-protein peanut butter balls you’ve ever had.
Begin by adding the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and protein powder in a mixing bowl.
Stir the mixture well, ensuring that the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and protein powder are blended together.
After mixing, grab a melon baller or a small spoon to scoop up the peanut butter mixture. With the scooped mixture in your hand, gently roll and shape it into round peanut butter balls, making sure they’re smooth and uniform in size.
Variations
What’s really awesome about this high-protein peanut butter balls recipe is its versatility. You can tweak and adjust it to your liking! Here are some suggestions to give them a fresh twist or add a personal touch.
- Cocoa Powder – Want a hint of chocolate in your treat? Simply add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder. This will give your peanut butter balls a delightful chocolatey flavor, blending perfectly with the nuttiness of the peanut butter.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter – To mix things up and move away from the usual smooth texture of the peanut butter balls, consider adding ingredients that offer a crunch or a different texture. This way, each bite has a surprising and delightful feel!
- Sprinkles – If you’re looking to add some fun and flair to the peanut butter balls, try rolling them in sprinkles. This not only gives them a colorful appearance but also introduces an extra layer of texture and a touch more sweetness to every bite.
- Chocolate Dipped – For a luxurious twist, consider dipping the peanut butter balls into melted dark or milk chocolate. This elevates the treat, making it taste and look like something you’d find in a gourmet dessert shop.
- Rice Cereal – If you’re a fan of a little crunch in your treats, mixing in some rice cereal to the peanut butter blend is a great idea. This adds a delightful crispy texture, making each bite even more interesting.
See our old fashioned peanut butter balls for a more indulgent treat.
Equipment
The one special tool you’ll need for this recipe is a melon baller. It’s ideal for grabbing just the right amount of the mixture, ensuring each peanut butter ball is the perfect size.
Storage and Freezer
A great advantage of these high-protein peanut butter balls is their freezability. You can prepare a large batch, store them in the freezer, and whenever you’re in the mood for a snack, just grab a few. Let them sit out for a little while to thaw, and they’re ready to enjoy!
Top tip
A handy tip for crafting these peanut butter balls: use a melon baller! It allows you to scoop just the right amount of mixture, ensuring each peanut butter ball is consistently sized and turns out beautifully.
FAQ
Yes, it’s possible to add more protein powder to the peanut butter ball mix. But keep in mind, the more you put in, the more grainy or coarse the balls might feel when you eat them.
All the ingredients used in these high-protein peanut butter balls are gluten-free. We opt for collagen protein, but even when considering whey protein which comes from wheat, it’s typically gluten-free. However, it’s essential to note that some exceptions exist, so always review the label of your chosen protein powder brand just to be sure.
If you skip the chocolate dip, these peanut butter balls are completely dairy-free.
Protein balls are an ideal snack, suitable for any time of day – be it morning, afternoon, evening, or even as a pre-workout boost.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
High Protein Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Peanut Butter
- 2/3 Cup Unflavored Protein Powder
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add all the ingredients. Mix until throughtly combined.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the mixture and form into a ball. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Continue until all balls are formed.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before enjoying.
Notes
- You will need to use a little muscle when mixing the ingredients. I recommend using a rubber spatula for this.
- If you want to dip them in chocolate like we did, you can do it after you refrigerate them.
- We also rolled a few in some sprinkles for an extra treat.
- Stored in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- You can freeze them for up to 3 months in an air-tight container or freezer bag.
- To thaw, take them out of the freezer and sit them out on the counter for about 5 minutes. Then you can enjoy them.
Steph
These are easy to make and they taste AMAZING!!! My 11 yr old daughter has been begging me to make them again ever since I made them the first time.
The 1st time I made them, I used peanut butter flavored protein powder, Meijer brand and they were delicious. This time I tripled the batch and did 1 C. Unflavored and 1 C. Chocolate Peanut Butter flavored protein powder, both taste SO good!!!
I think they taste really similar to the Reese cup shapes, like the hearts, trees and eggs. 😊 Definitely worth trying.
I dipped some in Chocolate while leaving some plain. They are great either way ya prefer.
YBK Team
Thanks for stopping by, Steph! So glad you both loved them!