Almond Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls

If you’re craving something sweet, these chewy oatmeal protein balls are decadent but guilt-free! They’re full of nutritious seeds, plant-protein and are naturally sweetened. The perfect on-the-go snack or healthier dessert made with only 6 ingredients!

A small bowl with oatmeal protein balls in it. The bowl is sitting on on a gray napkin next to a two small bowls of oats and hemp seeds in it.

Whenever I’m craving something sweet, these almond butter protein balls always satisfy! We’ve been making them a ton lately, and love to enjoy them as a snack, or healthier dessert.

The texture is chewy and soft, but also a little fudgy too (especially when chilled!).

They taste indulgent but are full of good-for-you ingredients such as seeds, oats, and protein-filled almond butter. They take only a few minutes to whip together and are the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Key Ingredients

One of my favorite things about this recipe is you only need 6 ingredients to make it! Each ingredient is nutritious and adds delicious flavor and texture. Below is the complete list of what you’ll need, plus some ingredient swaps if needed!

Ingredients for protein balls in different sized small bowls that are displayed on a light brown background.

Oats: Oats add a little heartiness to these protein balls. I like to use sprouted gluten-free oats! Whether you use gluten-free or regular, I recommend whole rolled oats, not quick oats.
Almond butter: for protein and moisture, use creamy almond butter! If you’d like to use another nut butter, you can use cashew or peanut butter.
Maple syrup: for sweetness and moisture! I personally wouldn’t swap for honey or any other sweetener. Maple syrup has a perfect consistency needed to help these protein balls be chewy and moist!
Hemp seeds: for protein and nutrients!
Chia seeds: for a little bit more seeds! If you don’t have chia seeds, you can swap them for more hemp seeds.
Cinnamon: adds a warm spice and delicious flavor!

How to Make Oatmeal Protein Balls – Step by Step

A collage of three photos showing how to make oatmeal protein balls. The first image is all the ingredients in a food processor. The second image is the ingredients chopped in the food processor. The third photo is the protein balls laid out on a pan lined with parchment paper.
1

add ingredients to food processor. First, add all of the ingredients to the food processor.

2

Pulse ingredients. Then, turn the food processor on and pulse until the oats are chopped small and the ingredients are mixed together.

3

Roll into balls and chill! Next, scoop about 2 Tablespoons of the mixture and squeeze it together and then roll it into a ball between your hands. Repeat until the mixture is used up. Arrange the balls in a container or on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and chill in the refrigerator for 30+ minutes or until firm in texture. Then enjoy!

How to Store Leftovers

What to store them in: These balls are best if kept chilled in the refrigerator in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Keeping them in an opened container could cause them to dry and not keep as long.

How long they keep: these protein balls will keep for about 10 days chilled in the refrigerator. If you’d like to freeze them, you can freeze them for up to one month!

Tips for Success

How to fix a dry/crumbly batter – If for some reason your protein ball mixture comes out crumbly and you are unable to form ball shapes, then mix in additional maple syrup until the mixture can hold. Test by pinching between fingers. 

Make it gluten-free – Instead of old-fashioned oats, use gluten-free oats! I specifically love to use sprouted gluten-free oats. They taste the same as regular oats in this recipe, and no one will ever know they’re GF-friendly!

Additional nut butter you can use – substitute almond butter with peanut butter or cashew butter if preferred. 

Make it nut free – If you have a nut allergy, you can make it nut free and use sunflower seed butter instead of almond butter!

If you don’t have a food processor – you’ll need a blender to chop the oats into small pieces. Then mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until combined using a rubber spatula – this might take a little bit more effort if your almond butter isn’t super creamy.

Other seeds you can use – instead of hemp or chia seeds you can also use flax, sesame, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds! Most of these seeds are bigger in size, so they will need to be chopped into smaller pieces which is why a food processor would work best if using different seeds.

Other Oatmeal Recipes to Enjoy:

If you tried this Chewy Oatmeal Protein Balls recipe or any other recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, and FACEBOOK for more crave-worthy content.

A small bowl with oatmeal protein balls in it. The bowl is sitting on on a gray napkin next to a two small bowls of oats and hemp seeds in it.

Chewy Oatmeal Protein Balls

5 from 2 votes

If you're craving something sweet, these chewy oatmeal protein balls are decadent but guilt-free! They're full of nutritious seeds, plant-protein and are naturally sweetened. The perfect on-the-go snack or healthier dessert!

Servings 8 balls
Prep Time: 10 mins
Chilling TIme: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins

Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tags: how to make protein balls, no bake protein balls, oatmeal protein balls
Freezer Friendly: Yes
Calories: 150 kcal
Author: Bethany Kramer

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix ingredients in a food processor: In a food processor pulse all of the ingredients together until combined. The mixture should be able to hold when squeezed together. Add additional maple syrup if more moisture is needed. 

  2. Form into balls: Use a small cookie scoop to measure the mixture or make them about 2 Tablespoons in size. Squeeze the mixture together then use your hands to roll them into smooth balls. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or in an airtight container and refrigerate for 30+ minutes before enjoying.

  3. Keep the protein balls stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.  

Notes

If you don’t have a food processor – you’ll need a blender to chop the oats into small pieces. Then mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until combined using a rubber spatula – this might take a little bit more effort if your almond butter isn’t super creamy.

Nutrition Facts
Chewy Oatmeal Protein Balls
Amount Per Serving (1 protein ball)
Calories 150 Calories from Fat 46
% Daily Value*
Fat 5.1g8%
Saturated Fat 0.7g4%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.2g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.6g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 2.4mg0%
Carbohydrates 15.1g5%
Fiber 2.6g10%
Sugar 6.5g7%
Protein 4.6g9%
Vitamin A 0IU0%
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Bethany Kramer

Bethany Kramer is the cook and photographer behind A Simple Palate. She found a deep love for food and nutrition after learning to cook from her mom at eight years old. Since then she’s been developing and sharing recipes from her own kitchen that are bold in flavor and nourishing to the body!

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