These no-bake protein balls are great before or after a workout, or anytime you need something quick and satisfying. They're easy to make, too! Just blend 6 ingredients in a food processor and roll into balls. No baking or extra steps required!

Vanilla and chocolate no-bake protein balls stacked in a small bowl.

Why You'll Love Them!

The food processor does pretty much all of the work in this recipe, and you can make the classic vanilla-cinnamon version or switch things up with a rich chocolate variation. Both protein balls start with the same simple base.

If you're a fan of protein snacks and treats, check these out next:

A bowl filled with both vanilla and chocolate protein bites.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are a few notes about the key ingredients. You'll find the full recipe below.

protein powder: I tested both the vanilla and chocolate versions with Orgain plant-based protein powder. Since protein powders vary in sweetness, flavor, and absorbency, you may need to adjust the water slightly if using another brand. Unflavored protein powder is also an option, but you'll want to add vanilla extract and additional sweetener. A couple of extra dates are a good place to start, since liquid sweeteners can make the mixture too soft.
rolled oats: I didn't want these balls to be super dense with nuts (fat) or dates (sugar), so I included oats to bulk them up a bit and help hold everything together. I haven't tested any substitutes yet.
hemp seeds: hemp hearts add plant-based protein, Omega-3s, and a slightly nutty flavor. You can replace some or all of them with pepitas (pumpkin seeds), chia seeds, or ground flaxseed. Chia and flax are especially nice for adding Omega-3 fatty acids. They absorb more moisture, though, so you might need to adjust the water.
walnuts: we eat a lot of walnuts in our house, so I always have some on hand. Feel free to switch things up with almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, or peanuts. Pepitas are another alternative if you want to make the protein balls nut-free.
dates: since dates vary in size and moisture level, be sure to pack them into the measuring cup (or use a kitchen scale). And of course, make sure they are pitted! If your dates are super soft you may need less water.

Dates, hemp seeds, walnuts, protein powder, and cinnamon in a food processor.

How to Make No-Bake Protein Balls

Add all ingredients to a large food processor (I use a 14-cup Cuisinart). Process until the ingredients are finely chopped and the mixture comes together when squeezed.

If it seems a little sticky, you can add a bit more protein powder or oats.

The blended protein ball mixture in a food processor with a hand showing how it holds together.

I like to use 1 tablespoon mixture per ball, but really, you can make them any size you like. Scoop it up and roll into balls. If you use 1 packed tablespoon, you should get about 16 balls.

Chocolate Protein Balls

For a chocolate version, replace the vanilla protein powder with chocolate protein powder and add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (I especially like the flavor of black cocoa).

Omit or reduce the cinnamon (up to you!), and increase the sea salt to ¼ teaspoon - the extra salt really makes the chocolate flavor pop! Keep the remaining ingredients and method the same. This version is currently my fave.

Can I make them with unflavored protein powder?

Yes, but keep in mind that the protein powder affects both the flavor and sweetness. If using unflavored protein powder, add ½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and sweeten to taste. A little maple syrup could work if you reduce the water to compensate for the extra moisture. Alternatively, you could add another date or two for sweetness without introducing as much liquid.

Helpful Tips

Use a food processor to break down the dates, nuts, and oats evenly. If your dates are especially dry, you might need a tiny bit more water. Add it slowly, though, because once you add too much it's hard to backtrack. If the mixture gets too moist and sticky, you can add more oats and/or protein powder to help soak it up.

Using a tablespoon makes it easy to portion evenly. Although sometimes I like to vary the size of the protein bites. Then I can grab a small one when I want just a bite of something sweet after dinner, or eat two or three larger protein balls when I need a real snack.

I hope you enjoy this super easy protein balls recipe. If you make it I'd love to hear from you. Comment below to let us know!

Recipe

Two flavors of homemade protein balls piled in a bowl with a hand picking up one.

No-Bake Protein Balls

Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen

These no-bake protein balls are great before or after a workout, or anytime you need something quick and satisfying. They're so easy to make, too. Just blend everything in a food processor and roll into balls. No baking required!

Yield: makes 16 small protein balls (1 tablespoon each); one ball/bite contains 68 calories and 3 grams protein

5 from 1 vote

Servings: servings

Prep:15

Total Time:15

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Equipment

food processor

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup pitted dates, packed - 3 oz; about 8-9 small dates
▢ ½ cup rolled oats
▢ ½ cup vanilla protein powder - see Notes for chocolate version
▢ ⅓ cup hemp seeds - see Notes for subs
▢ ⅓ cup chopped walnuts - or other nuts
▢ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon - optional
▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract - optional
▢ ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
▢ 2-3 tablespoons water

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a large food processor in the order listed, starting with just 2 tablespoons water. The softness of the dates determines how much water you'll need. Process until the ingredients are finely chopped. Stop and check to see if the mixture sticks together when squeezed. If not, add another tablespoon of water, and pulse several times to incorporate. Check again to make sure the mixture holds together.
Scoop up tightly packed tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls. This will make about 16 small energy bites. Feel free to make them slightly smaller, larger, or varied in size, if you like.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Note that freezing doesn't make them hard, so they are edible straight from the freezer.

Notes

Nuts & Seeds - Try almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, or peanuts. Pepitas are another option if you want to make the protein balls nut-free.

Chocolate Version - Use chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla, add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (I like to use black cocoa here), and increase the sea salt to ¼ teaspoon. Cinnamon is optional.

Batch Size - You can increase the recipe by 50% to make a larger batch. For a double batch it's a good idea to blend them separately so the ingredients are blended evenly.