4-Ingredient, No-Bake, Chocolate Chip Protein Breakfast Balls
I whipped up some four-ingredient, no-bake, gluten-free, and vegan protein breakfast balls yesterday morning, and they were a hit! My husband jokingly said I’m banned from making them again because he can’t stop eating them. I’m taking that as a win, especially since it means I don’t have to worry about them tempting me all week. The peanut butter and chocolate chip combo is seriously irresistible!
4-Ingredient, No-Bake, Chocolate Chip Protein Breakfast Balls (gluten-free & dairy free)
I shared a little teaser of these protein balls on my Instagram story yesterday, and I was flooded with over 50 messages asking for the recipe. I couldn’t wait until the end of the week to post it (they’re just too easy to make), so I’m sharing it tonight! It feels a bit strange to be posting on a Sunday night, but with The Bachelor also airing tonight, it seems like an unusual Sunday all around. I needed something to keep me busy until the show, so for everyone who asked about the recipe, you’re in luck! 
I’m surprised I haven’t jumped on the “ball trend” sooner. This is the first “ball” recipe I’ve ever posted on the blog! I’ve seen so many recipes for energy balls packed with super seeds or dates, and honestly, I always assumed they’d be a hassle to make—or just a big, sticky mess. Cleaning out food processors can be almost as bad as tackling my juicer. Another reason I love this recipe? It’s NOT loaded with sugar!
I wanted to create an energy ball recipe that uses common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, requires no special equipment, and is kid-friendly. Why kid-friendly? I recently chatted with a friend who’s a mom, and she mentioned how challenging it is to get her kids to eat anything in the morning—breakfast has become the most stressful part of her day. While I don’t have kids, I was a nanny for several years, so I get it. I figured a recipe like this would be easy and fun for kids to make. When you involve them in the process, they’re usually more excited to eat what they’ve helped create (that always worked for me). And let’s be honest, when breakfast includes chocolate, it’s bound to be a hit!
These peanut butter and chocolate oatmeal breakfast balls are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan! If you have any allergies, you can use nut-free peanut butter. These are great for breakfast or on-the-go snacks, and they are also an excellent source of energy for workouts and road trip snacks.
No-Bake Peanut Butter & Chocolate Oatmeal Protein Breakfast Balls! (Gf & Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Peanut Butter (or your choice of nut butter)
- 1 1/2 Cup Quick Oats (I used GF, you can use regular)
- 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips (I used Free2b)
- 4 Servings Vanilla Protein Powder (or your choice of protein powder)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Wet your hands and use them to combine.
- If the ingredients seem to be too dry, add one tablespoon of water until moist enough to roll into balls. (you could also use melted coconut oil)
- Roll the mixture into balls (3 tbsp sized.) (Keeping your hands wet with cold water helps!)
- Add to a ziplock bag or container, and store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition Per Ball: 76 Calories, 7g Carbs, 6g Fat, 6g Protein, 2g Sugar
Products I used:
Chocolate Chips
Orgain Vanilla Protein Powder
Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter (just peanuts & salt as the ingredients)
Gluten-Free Quick Oats
You can play around with this recipe and make it your own! Different protein powders, nut butter, raisins, spices, or superfoods can be used. I think I’ll make a cinnamon-raisin one next! 🙂 Or maybe cranberry white chocolate?
This recipe makes 30 balls (3 tbsp sized)
Nutrition Per Ball: 76 Calories, 7g Carbs, 6g Fat, 6g Protein, 2g Sugar
Questions for you!
- Would you like me to start posting a recipe on the weekends?
- What ball flavor should I make next?
- Do you have kids?
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Welcome!
I’m Taralynn
Lifestyle & Food Blogger
Hi, and welcome! I’m glad you’re here. Simply Taralynn is my lifestyle blog where I share bits of everyday life as a mom, favorite recipes, travel guides, and more. I’ve been blogging for fifteen years!
I love recipes like this.
I have a five-year-old daughter who hates sitting down to eat anything. I think she’d love something like this to eat in the car on the way to school.
I’ve been reading your blog for the past seven years! It was a nice surprise seeing this post tonight.
Wow! Thanks, Joanne! Crazy how fast time flies!
I hope your daughter enjoys these!! xo xo xo
This made me giggle because I was sitting on the couch eating one of these with my one and a half year old before I saw this 😂 perfect timing 👌
Also, I will take your recipes anytime!
Perfect timing!:) lol xo xo
1. I don’t particularly care for recipe posts as much as I do your life-y posts! 🙂
3. Nope I dont! I don’t even have a dog…yet 🙂
Awesome!
Dogs are a big commitment lol
I love the idea of doing this recipe with my son (he’s 2). He loves being a little chef! I also think this will be a huge hit for him and me any time of day. I would love more recipe posts like this one that are easy to include kids in! Thank you!
Love your IG and blog,
Clare
This made me smile! I’m SO happy to hear that! 🙂 I’ll totally do more recipes like this! I hope you and your son enjoy making these! xo
Yes,post more easy ones that I can do with my granddaughter she’s 3,looks like fun to do Thank you
Great! I will for sure!
Oatmeal raisin next please! Thanks.
Sounds great!!
Kudos to you Tara I would love preparing this a nd other versions of this recipe with/for my two Grandchildren, GABRIELLE AND SEBASTIAN DANIELS, I don’t get to see see them alot as I would love to but they love natural foods as such as adults do for work sports and play! God bless and good luck to you! YUMMY FOR US ALL who got your idea. This is right up my alley. Keep ’em coming. LOL MIMI
This comment made me smile!
You sound like an awesome Grandma! 🙂
Enjoy making these with them!! Have a great week & thank you for all the kind words!
So what are the orange pieces in your pics….Reese’s Pieces? Weird…
It’s from the peanut butter. I used chunky.
These turned out awesome!
Yay!!!
I’ve never tried making breakfast balls before. ❤️❤️ They sound so delicious and most of all, healthy! Perfect for mornings on the go! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Most definitely!
Have a great week, Charmaine!
i cannot get over how easy these are to make! i have recipes upon recipes for energy bites/balls/whatever you wanna call ’em, but half the time i don’t have dates or nuts to make them! love that these are 4 ingredients i always have in my pantry – def making these when i’m home from vacation! 🙂
That is exacly why I wanted to come up with these! Energy balls always have the food processor involved and it’s a pain! Wanted it simple 🙂
1. I would love to see recipes posted on the weekends. They give me ideas of things to make for upcoming week.
2. Coffee flavored balls would be fun.
3. No kids. But i have an adopted fur baby.
4. Your pink nail polish is very pretty!
Hi, Jenny!
Sounds like a plan 🙂
Ohhhhh I like how you think! Vanilla coffee!
Congrats on your new addition! They’re fun and a lot of work lol
And thank you!!
these look absolutely unbelievable and the flavor combinations and options to be added are endless Iam a very very busy mother and grandmother and work full time and never have time for breakfast
Im making these TONIGHT
But I don’t see how many it is per serving is it one ball per serving or two
Hi, Carol!
These will be great for you to take on the go for breakfast. I hope you enjoy these!:)
1 ball is the serving size, but each ball is made up of three tablespoons of the batter 🙂
I made these last night after you posted the recipe! I used almond butter and added some walnuts. Thank you for the water tip too.
I can’t wait to put these in my classroom fridge to eat this week.
Hi, Haley!
So happy to hear that you made these! I need to do a cinnamon/almond butter one! 😀
Have a great week!
I found your recipe as I was trying to Google something else. I like the simplicity of this recipe and that I can make these with my three-year-old grandson. I have one question though how many protein balls are a serving?
Hi! So glad you came across my blog! Welcome 🙂
The serving size is one ball, but they are large. (3 tablespoons of the batter per ball)
xo Have fun making these with your grandson!
I️ hate the taste of protein powder Just curious- do these ballshave a weird after taste of the powder?
Btw the recipe looks amazing I’m s I tempted to try I️t!
Hi, Romi!
I hate the taste of whey and dairy protein-based protein powders. These vegan/plant-based ones taste amazing! That is why I use them most of the time. 🙂
lol, ballshave.
Lol, my eyes didn’t even notice. I read it “balls have”
These look amazing, and only 4 ingredients makes them so easy to whip up, definitely going to make them this week! Please do a recipes posts on weekends would be great motivation for keeping the kitchen stocked with healthy eats. Dried apple and cinnamon balls would be a great combo or spiced pumpkin for autumn. I don’t have kids yet but I have dogs that keep me on my toes for now.
Hi, Harriet!
Thanks so much. I loved posting a recipe this weekend 🙂 I may just keep it up! OHHHHH yum I love apple cinnamon (even when it’s summer) lol dog mom too!
xo have a great week!
Hi Tara, I just found your recipe as I opened google on my smartphone. I’m afraid I won’t find you again. Where do I find your blog?? Thank you!!
Hi, Vera!
You can follow me on my social media or just go to http://www.simplytaralynn.staging.digitalexpanse.io 🙂
Recipe looks interesting but it looks like about 70 % of the calories are from fat, any way to make a lower fat version?
Yes, but they come from healthy fats 🙂 You could swap out the nut butter for PB2. The peanut butter is what really holds these together, so it would be hard to find a low-fat swap.
What about powdered peanut butter
Yup! PB2 is what I’d suggest.
I need recipes high in protein n low sugar or no sugar at all could you help. Thanks
My avocado brownies are great for a low-sugar treat. If you want more protein, you can add protein powder!
Recipe please
*Would you like me to start posting a recipe on the weekends? – Yes! I enjoy your recipes!🍴
*What ball flavor should I make next? – Something with fruit! 🍓
*Do you have kids? – Does my hubby count? 😉
Hi, Kyla!
Thanks! 🙂 lol omg yes!
Yes, need dairy free foods for great-grand son.
I added chocolate protein powder and they turned out delicious
So great!
Did you mean to say “NOT” full of sugar? 🙂 They look yummy!
“I also love that this recipe is filled with sugar!”
hahahaha whoops….Thank you for pointing that out!
Love this easy recipe! This flavor combo is right up my alley, but thinking my hubby may enjoy a white chocolate/shredded coconut ball…mmm! Have a great week 🙂
Thanks, Susie!!
mmmmm anything with coconut I’m down for!
I have been making these for a while as “lactation” energy bites (new mom), but my 4th ingredient was always honey not protein powder. In this case the honey would take the place of wetting your hands to make them stick- but I’m excited to try them with a protein powder now!
Yes that would work great!
If you use PB2 how much do you use? Thanks for the recipe.
Enough servings to make a cup! I’m not familiar with the servings size, but just mix enough water with it for one cup 🙂
Thanks for the great recipe. I’m doing weight watchers and I put the nutrition info into my points calculator and one ball comes out to just 2 smart points! I’m always looking for a new yummy snack. Thanks😊
That is so great, Donny!!
Great recipe!
Thanks, Michaela!
Perfect recipe.
🙂 Glad to hear that!
Delicious, thank you
Enjoy!
Hi Taralynn,
Thanks for this recipe – I’m going to make these for my little 7 year old girl, who is SO hard to get breakfast into! My other two (11 year old girl and nearly 21 year old boy) will love them too, no doubt!
That is so great to hear! Hope they enjoy! xo
I made these for my week! I have to drive 45 minutes to get to work and I’m always hungry and I actually have time to eat these.
That is great! Glad these can come in handy 🙂
These look great! But, I need the fiber content. Do you have this info in your nutrition?
These ball/bites look great! I love recipes anytime! An almond joy/coconut ball would be great! No kids, engaged and getting married next year!
That sounds so good!!
Ahhhhh congrats, Michelle! How exciting!
Have a great day!
Hi Taralynn! I love your site! I had a Sleeve Gastrectomy two years ago, so my world revolves around low fat, no sugar and HIGH protein! I just finished my version of your delectable little treats – however, I think I will need to name mine Kitchen Sink Protein Balls. 1.5 cups muesli, 0.5 cup oatmeal, 5 bags(1serving each) of Medical Grade Unjury Vanilla Protein Powder, 1/3 cup virgin cold pressed coconut oil, 1 cup creamy generic peanut butter, 2 TBSP PB2, 1/3 cup chia seeds, 1/3 cup flaxseed, 1/2 cup pure unsweetened coconut flakes, 1/3 cup slivered almonds, 1/2 cup Hersheys sugar-free semi sweet chocolate chips. I mixed by hand, as you did – wet hands, Great tip! Then made 30 “bites” and popped them into the fridge. Withou sitting down to do the math, I suspect my version will be closer to about 12 g. Protein and about 90 calories each. I have been “creating “ protein snacks for a while now, but your base gave me a much cleaner start! I wish I knew how to make a wonderful website like you have! But I will definitely be following you now! And YES! Post recipes on the weekends!!! Thank you!
Hi, Kathleen!
WOW! Thank you for sharing your version! These actually sound amazing!!!
& welcome to my blog! So glad you landed here:)
xo
How great do these sound? I will try them with sunflower butter for my nut allergy.
Let me know how it goes!
Can I substitute old fashioned oats for quick oats? I’d put a rough chop on the old fashioned oats in a food processor, would this still work?
You can!:D
I love recipes with such few ingredients! This works out great because I bought a large tub of powdered peanut butter awhile back without thinking what I was going to do with it all! I wouldn’t mind seeing more weekend recipes because that’s usually when I do my meal prep for the week and it would add inspiration to my planning. For another flavor, something along the lines of honey/cinnamon/butterscotch sounds really yummy. Have a great week!
Hi, Emilee!
I bought a large tub of powdered peanut butter at Costco in December and I’m still trying to get through it lol I should have made these with that!
MMMMM butterscotch is so good! Great idea 🙂 Maybe a scotcharoo ball!
YUM! These look so delicious, and I LOVE that they only have a few ingredients! Ben and I are big fans of balls (hehe, I couldn’t help myself – first grade teacher here). We always have them on hand for grab and go snacks! Chia seeds add a super yummy crunch to them too.
I love recipe posts! It’s always nice to get new ideas to change things up a little bit.
Cranberry orange! Or… White chocolate macadamia!
Ummm… Does a fur baby count? Because I sure love her like she’s my child!
Hi, Susie!
Hahahaha I still think it’s funny. It was hard to write this post without saying anything weird/inappropriate sounding about balls.
oohhh MAYBE a mixture of cranberry/orange/white chocolate/and macadamia!!!
lol yes yes yes it does!
These sound great!
They’re so tasty!
This is great! Made it with Chocolate Protein powder! So Yummy!
I made these without the protein powder and they turned out! We are so excited about these. Thanks for the easy and family friendly recipe.
I’m so happy to hear that!
I live in Australia
Great recipe!
Wow! 🙂 Very cool!
& THANK YOU!
AMAZING
🙂
Make a macadamia nut flavor please
great idea!
Made these minus the chips added a few different things but are amazing
Thank you for sharing the recipe
So happy to hear that!!!
Finally got around to trying these and they are SO GOOD!! Easy recipes with minimal ingredients are my favorite. Love your posts!
Awww yay!! Thank you 😊
I gave these a whirl last week as they are only 3 WW pts but they came out really dry!! I used:
– Tone It Up vegan protein
– Teddy’s Natural Peanut Butter
– Oats
– Enjoy Life Chocolate chips.
– several TBSP of water
I think it was the peanut butter so just a heads up for all those Teddy’s fans out there. I can tell they have potential so I’ll give it a try with the Jif pb Taralynn recommended next time 🙂
1. I love your recipe posts. Keep them coming!
2. A fall themed protein ball would be awesome. Maybe some sort of apple cinnamon?
3. No kids here!
YAYYYYY!
Okay, so… I made these with my 9yo and she couldn’t help but sneak bites…. Ours rendered 34 balls.
I had to make them a bit smaller/bite size…because they were huge… lol… I used the nearly the same ingredients + about 1/4 cup of water (premier protein was super thick). Anyway —– We put them in the freezer for 10 mins, told my 7yo they were cookie bites and she screamed “THEY TASTE BEAUTIFUL!”.
Major kudos. Super kid friendly and so delicious. Mine were 69 cals, 5g protein each. BONUS: Did I mention how SIMPLE yet clean this is? LOVE. Extra Bonus: Including kid friendly recipes!
I know this is an older blog post but it really came in handy! THANKS!
P.S You have no idea how many inappropriate jokes happened when I gave them to my husband. 😂 too funny
Awwww yay!!!! 😃