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These cookie dough protein balls are soft and chewy, perfectly sweet, and taste like dessert. The best part? They’re made with super simple ingredients you probably have on hand!
If you love cookie dough but you’re looking for nutrient-packed snacks that keep you satisfied, these protein bars are the answer. I make a version of these cookie dough protein bites almost every single week because they’re perfect for an easy grab and go option.
Why You’ll Love Them
- No bake. No baking or oven required.
- Quick and easy. These take about 10 minutes total and they’re ready to enjoy right away.
- Pantry staples. Simple ingredients like oats, peanut butter and chocolate chips make these even easier because you probably have everything you need.
- Dessert or healthy snack. These are perfect for something sweet at the end of the night, a mid-day pick me up, or even a pre-workout bite.
I love the simplicity of a no bake treat. You have to try my No Bake Protein Cookies or No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Cups next!
Ingredients
Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions and ingredients.
- Quick oats: Quick oats are the nutrient-dense base and are blended into oat flour for a soft, cookie dough-like base.
- Protein powder: Boosts protein and adds sweetness too. My favorite is Clean Simple Eats Vanilla.
- Peanut butter (or almond butter): Adds healthy fats, flavor and keeps the bites moist.
- Ground flaxseed: Fiber, healthy fats and binds everything together too.
- Milk: Just a little bit to help the dough come together if needed.
- Maple syrup: Or honey works too.
- Mini chocolate chips: For chocolate in every bite!
- Vanilla extract: A must for that classic cookie dough flavor.
- Salt: A tiny pinch of salt brings out the sweetness.
Variations
- Swap the nut butter. You can use almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter.
- Chocolate protein balls. Use chocolate protein powder and add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder for a chocolate version.
- White chocolate. Use mini white chocolate chips instead.
- Birthday cake. Swap the chocolate chips for rainbow sprinkles.
- Crunch balls. Stir in finely chopped almonds, peanuts or walnuts for an added crunch.
How To Make Cookie Dough Protein Balls
- Blend oats and add ingredients. Add oats to a food processor. Blend on high until oats are very fine and resemble flour. Add all remaining ingredients except for chocolate chips.
- Blend. Blend until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the food processor. Note: Dough should be easily moldable to roll into balls. If it’s too crumbly, add an additional tbsp of liquid at a time.
- Add chocolate. Stir in chocolate chips by hand (transfer to a bowl to do this if needed).
- Roll. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Roll oat mixture into 18 equal-sized smooth balls, about a packed 2 tbsp cookie scoop.
Jamie’s tips
Recipe Tips
- Blend the oats finely. You want your oats to be the texture of oat flour, so make sure you blend them for long enough.
- Check your dough texture. Your dough should soft, moldable and slightly moist. If it’s too dry and crumbly, add more nut butter or 1 tablespoon of milk at a time.
- Use a cookie scoop. My favorite hack for protein bites is to use a 2 tbsp cookie scoop for the perfect size every time.
- Choose a protein you like. It’s so important to choose a protein powder you actually enjoy. My favorite is Clean Simple Eats Vanilla.
More Protein Balls
If you’ve made and loved these Cookie Dough Protein Balls or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
Cookie Dough Protein Balls
No bake cookie dough protein balls made with oats, nut butter, and chocolate chips for a quick, protein packed snack.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup quick oats
- 2/3 cup peanut butter, or almond butter
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, I like Clean Simple Eats
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk or water, more if needed
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add oats to a food processor. Blend on high until oats are very fine and resemble flour.
- Add all remaining ingredients except for chocolate chips. Blend until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the food processor. Note: Dough should be easily moldable to roll into balls. If it’s too crumbly, add an additional tbsp of liquid at a time.
- Stir in chocolate chips by hand (transfer to a bowl to do this if needed).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll oat mixture into 18 equal-sized smooth balls, about a packed 2 tbsp cookie scoop.
- Enjoy right away or refrigerate until you’re ready to eat. Store in the fridge. Note: They're softer when they're first made, so if you prefer a firmer ball, chill them in the fridge for an hour or two first!
Nutrition
Serving: 2balls | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + star rating below!
Food photography by Marie-Catherine Dubé.
