Banana Protein Balls

Banana Protein Balls are full of wholesome ingredients and tons of flavor, made with almond and peanut butter, oats, and bananas. And they are so easy to make. Just toss all the ingredients in a mixing bowl or a food processor and then use a cookie scoop to make the balls. No baking is needed! 

Unlike other recipes, this one is easy to adapt, adding or removing ingredients as you like. Add chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, or chopped dates for a fun twist, or use a different flavor of energy powder. Or change the old-fashioned oats to grain-free oats for a gluten-free recipe.

Also known as banana bread energy balls, banana energy bites, or banana energy balls, this no-bake recipe for protein balls is simple and easy to make. They are naturally dairy free with no refined sugar and make the perfect snack for anyone. You can even make these gluten-free with gluten-free oats.

Ingredients needed:

All you will need for this energy balls recipe is listed below. However, you can scroll down to our recipe card for complete instructions and exact measurements when you are ready to begin.

• Old-fashioned rolled oats
• Ground flaxseed
• Vanilla protein powder 
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Kosher salt
• Mashed banana: Overripe bananas work best.
• Natural peanut butter: You can use any kind of nut butter. 
• Almond butter
• Maple syrup or agave
• Vanilla: 100% pure vanilla extract.

How to make banana protein balls from scratch?

1. Prepare baking sheet: To begin, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. 
2. Combine dry ingredients: Then, mix the oats, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, flaxseed, and protein powder in a large bowl with a whisk.
3. Add the remaining ingredients: Next, use an electric mixer or wooden spoon to combine vanilla, maple syrup or agave, almond butter, peanut butter, and mashed bananas with the oat mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for one hour. 
4. Make the balls: After, use a tablespoon or medium cookie scoop to make rounded balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Continue until you use all the dough. Your hands are going to get sticky so have a clean bowl of water to keep wetting your hands, so the dough does not stick. 
5. Chill the protein balls: Last, wrap the entire baking sheet in plastic wrap, making sure the balls do not roll around and get stuck together. Chill for one hour in the fridge before putting them in an airtight container. Separate them with parchment paper to keep them from sticking in the container. 
6. Serve: Finally, serve immediately and store energy balls in the fridge.

Recipe variations:

• Other protein powder: Try using another flavor like strawberry, cherry, or chocolate protein powder for a nice twist. 
• Chocolate chips: You can also add mini chocolate chips to the dough for chocolate peanut butter banana protein balls. 
• Other ingredients: Add a few ingredients that also make sense like hemp seeds, flax meal or flaxseed meal, chia seeds, or ground pumpkin seeds.
• Gluten-free: Make this healthy snack gluten free by using gluten-free oats.
• Quinoa: Similarly, you can make this great recipe grain-free using quinoa flakes. 
• Date energy balls: Add chopped dates to make peanut butter banana date energy balls. 
• Other fruit: Use raisins or cranberries instead of dates for extra vitamins and delicious flavor. 
• Banana flavor: For more banana flavor, add a teaspoon of banana extract. 

How to serve:

These easy no-bake energy balls can be made in just an hour and served right away so you can prepare them before your workout and enjoy one or two afterward. These banana energy bites are also a perfect meal prep snack. Actually, they are fun to eat any time of the day. Here are some fun serving ideas or try one of your own.

• Sprinkle cocoa powder on top for a chocolatey flavor. 
• You could also add a chocolate drizzle on top for those who really love chocolate. 
• Add some rainbow sprinkles and a few dark chocolate chips to each energy ball for a festive look to entice the kids.
• These go great with a tall glass of ice-cold milk. 
• For a sweeter treat, pair these with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Frequently asked questions

How can I make my bananas overripe quickly?

If you have a couple of days, put them in a paper bag with an apple and you will have ripe bananas in two days. If not, go ahead and use the oven. We find this to be the easiest and best method. Just preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and bake the bananas with the peel on for 15 minutes. 

Are protein balls good for weight loss?

While these protein balls are full of vitamins and protein with no saturated fat, they are not a low-calorie food. That being said, the healthy fats in the recipe make these very filling so you will only want to eat one or two and this particular recipe is low in sugar since it uses agave or maple syrup. You also get a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. 

Why do people eat protein balls?

Protein balls such as these healthy snacks are full of vitamins and nutrients as well as protein. The lean fats and fiber with the carbs make these a great snack cuisine for those who are working out. They encourage lean muscle mass and plenty of energy for exercising. 

How to store leftovers:

• Store: These banana protein balls will stay fresh in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Make sure you separate them from each other with parchment paper and keep them in an airtight container. 
• Freeze: Why not make more energy balls and freeze them? They will stay fresh in your freezer for a whole month.
• Thaw: Although they will melt in your mouth if you eat them frozen, they are delicious if you let them thaw overnight in the fridge. 

Recipe tips:

• If you do not have a hand mixer, you can use a food processor to combine the ingredients. 
• Add a teaspoon of melted coconut oil to the mix if the dough is too dry.
• You can also use quick oats if that is all you have. 
• Instead of agave or maple syrup, you can use honey or a sugar substitute.
• Use vegan protein powder to make these energy balls vegan.
• Make sure the bananas are overripe. They will be easier to mash and taste a lot sweeter. In fact, you may be able to leave out the agave or syrup if they are sweet enough.

5 from 1 vote

Print

Banana Protein Balls

Prep Time

30 mins

Chill:

2 hrs

Total Time

30 mins

 

Banana Protein Balls are full of wholesome ingredients and tons of flavor, made with almond and peanut butter, oats, and bananas.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Banana Protein Balls

Servings: 24 balls

Calories: 115 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup ground flaxseed
• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder or chocolate
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 overripe bananas mashed
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the oats, flaxseed, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

3. Add the mashed bananas, peanut butter, almond butter, agave, and vanilla. Stir until fully combined.

4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or more.

5. Once the mixture has chilled, use a 1-tablespoon-sized scoop to scoop out protein balls. Place them in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet not touching each other.

6. Wrap the baking sheet in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before transferring the protein balls to an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Banana Protein Balls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 115 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 33mg1%

Potassium 147mg4%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 7IU0%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 38mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.