These Amish homemade gluten-free protein balls are a quick, no-bake, and easy-to-make energy booster. They are full of protein and fiber, and are oh-so-delicious!
Perfect for a pre-workout snack, a midday pick-me-up, or a nutritious treat for the whole family. Made with wholesome ingredients, these protein balls provide sustained energy and satisfy your sweet cravings without guilt.
Jump to:
- Ingredients to Make Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Protein Balls
- Step by Step Instructions
- Variations
- What Is the Best Kind of Protein Powder to Use?
- What If My Protein Balls Seem Too Dry or Crumbly?
- Why Should I Make Homemade Protein Balls?
- Benefits of Making Gluten Free Power Balls
- Gluten-free Snack
- Kid-Friendly Protein Balls
- Do Amish Kids Eat Snacks?
- More Amish Snack Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
Ingredients to Make Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Protein Balls
Oatmeal - you can use quick or rolled oats. I often use a mixture of rolled and quick oats because I like the difference in texture it provides. If you need them to be gluten-free, make sure to purchase oats that specify they are gluten-free.
Peanut butter - is a binding agent that is also full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. You can use any kind of nut butter you prefer, although you will want it to be creamy, not dry. If you have someone with a nut allergy, you could even substitute it with seed butter. (Sometimes, I use a mixture of creamy and chunky just because I like the nuts in there.)
Honey - is a natural, good-for-you sweetener. It also provides moisture and helps the balls to stick together.
Unsweetened coconut flakes - add good flavor and nutrients.
Ground flaxseed - or whole seeds, if you prefer. Flaxseed is rich in fiber and high in heart-healthy Omega-3 fats.
Vanilla extract - for extra flavor.
Protein powder - is optional if you don't have any protein on hand. But I would highly recommend adding the protein powder if possible. It just adds so much more energy-boosting protein to your diet. Some people like using whey protein, but I often use a plant-based protein to make gluten and dairy-free protein balls.
Step by Step Instructions
How to Make Protein Balls
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and protein powder. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients:
- Add oatmeal, coconut flakes, ground flaxseed, and mini chocolate chips or sliced almonds (if using) to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture is cohesive.
- Form Balls:
- Using your hands, roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. A cookie scoop (affiliate link) might be nice for dipping out your balls, then you can just round them a bit with your hands.
Storage
- Place the protein balls into a closed container. (You can put parchment between the layers if you want, but they don't necessarily stick together.)
- Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow them to firm up. (They taste better when chilled.)
- Keep the protein balls in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Enjoy as a convenient and nutritious snack anytime!
Variations
Here are some quick variations to try for these gluten-free protein balls.
Add-Ins and Substitutions: Feel free to get creative with add-ins. However, be mindful that when adding too many ingredients, the fiber balls may not stick together as well.
- Nuts and Seeds: Sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds.
- Dried Fruits: Cranberries, raisins, chopped dried apricots, dried cherries.
- Sweet Additions: Mini chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, cocoa nibs.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice.
- Nut and Seed Butters: Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter.
Creative Combos:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Chocolate protein and mini chocolate chips.
- Coconut Almond: Shredded coconut and sliced almonds.
- Berry Delight: Dried cranberries and chia seeds.
- Spiced Pumpkin: Pumpkin spice and chopped walnuts.
- Matcha Energy: Matcha powder and white chocolate chips.
What Is the Best Kind of Protein Powder to Use?
The best kind of protein powder depends on your dietary preferences, nutritional needs, and any allergies or intolerances you may have. Here are a few popular types of protein powders and their benefits:
1. Whey Protein
- Pros: High-quality protein with all essential amino acids, easily digestible, and quickly absorbed by the body. Great for muscle building and recovery. (My son makes smoothies using the Premier Whey Protein Powder - affiliate link. He prefers whey because it's higher in protein than plant-based protein.)
- Cons: Contains dairy, so not suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
2. Pea Protein
- Pros: Hypoallergenic, easily digestible, and a good source of iron. Suitable for vegans and those with dairy or soy allergies.
- Cons: Not a complete protein, so it might need to be combined with other protein sources to get all essential amino acids.
3. Mixed Plant Protein
- Pros: Combines multiple plant proteins (e.g., pea, rice, hemp, chia) to create a complete amino acid profile. Suitable for vegans and those with allergies.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than single-source protein powders.
There is a big difference in protein powders. I have tried numerous different brands and types of protein powder over the years. Some were ok, others I did not like the taste at all. It's one of those ingredients that can ruin the taste of your smoothie, protein balls, or whatever you are putting it in if it's no good.
So when I finally find something that I like, I tend to stick with it.
Nowadays, I use the plant-based Orgain creamy chocolate fudge Organic Protein (affiliate link) for this recipe (the vanilla one is good as well). It is vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO. I think it's a great protein product.
What If My Protein Balls Seem Too Dry or Crumbly?
Some protein powders absorb more liquid than others, and some kinds of nut butter can be drier. This is normal and may cause your protein ball mixture to seem a bit dry or crumbly. If this happens, simply add a bit more nut butter.
Another option is to add a little water (or almond or oat milk) to the mixture, one teaspoon at a time until it's moist enough to form into balls. Be careful not to add too much liquid.
Why Should I Make Homemade Protein Balls?
When purchasing processed foods from the store, they tend to be packed with preservatives, sugar, or even worse, high fructose corn syrup. And who knows what else is in there that's bad for you? If you are like most of us, you have no clue what all that stuff is in the ingredients list.
So making your food from scratch is usually the healthier choice. You can use natural sweeteners, buy organic products to make it with, and know exactly what you are eating.
Customize them with mini chocolate chips or sliced almonds for added flavor and crunch. Enjoy the convenience and health benefits of these tasty, nutrient-packed bites anytime, anywhere.
Benefits of Making Gluten Free Power Balls
If you keep a batch of these energy bites in your refrigerator, you will have the perfect healthy snack to grab whenever you get hungry throughout the day. They are a great alternative to sugary sweets and snacks with empty calories.
You can take a few of these balls for breakfast on the run. The protein, healthy fats, and fiber (in the nut butter) pack the perfect punch when you need an energy boost to start your day off right.
They are full of nutrients and healthy carbs. And you can choose to make these with all organic products, adding any superfoods you desire. Essentially, they are simply the guilt-free energy hit, and the perfect snack!
Gluten-free Snack
We have so many people in our society today who are suffering from issues with gluten in their diet. One of my daughters is on a vegetarian and gluten-free diet, and it can be challenging to find healthy snacks for her to grab on the run. She also has some low blood sugar issues, therefore, she needs to eat often and needs protein.
So, I make this Amish recipe for dairy and gluten-free protein balls quite frequently because they are a super handy snack to have on hand for her.
If you have someone in your home who has a hypersensitivity to gluten, you will want to use the oats that are labeled as gluten-free. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but sometimes they will contain traces of gluten because of coming in contact with gluten at the mill.
Kid-Friendly Protein Balls
This easy Amish homemade protein ball recipe is a great one to go to if you're looking for ways to get more healthy fats and protein into your kids. They are so delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness. Your kids may even think they are getting a dessert.
And you will feel good knowing you gave them a healthy snack. So, it's a win-win, and everyone is happy!
Do Amish Kids Eat Snacks?
As with everything else, Amish homes will vary greatly in most things like this, the same as the rest of the world. I'm sure that in some Amish homes, the kids probably get to eat more snacks, and maybe even more store-bought processed foods.
But, in our home, we did not get a lot of store-bought snacks. It was quite a treat if we got to eat chips, granola bars, or any other fancy snacks that some kids eat every day.
We were allowed to have a little snack when we came home from school. I know we had pretzels sometimes. But usually, our snack would be something like a dish of canned fruit, a cookie, a slice of homemade bread, or maybe homemade granola bars.
I hope you enjoy this Amish recipe for no-bake homemade protein balls. If you get to try them, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe Card
Gluten Free Protein Balls Recipe (High Fiber Balls)
Ingredients
- ¾ c. peanut butter
- ⅓ c. honey
- ½ scoop protein powder (1 oz.)
- 1 - 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 c. oatmeal
- ¼ c. coconut flakes
- ½ c. ground flaxseed
- ½ c. mini chocolate chips or sliced almonds, if desired
Instructions
- Mix together peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and protein powder.¾ c. peanut butter, ⅓ c. honey, 1 - 2 tsp. vanilla extract, ½ scoop protein powder (1 oz.)
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix.1 c. oatmeal, ¼ c. coconut flakes, ½ c. ground flaxseed, ½ c. mini chocolate chips or sliced almonds, if desired
- Roll into about 1" balls.
- Refrigerate in a closed container for up to two weeks.
Jann Hartman
I have made these for years. They are so adaptable and good. You did mention flaxseeds, but they do need to be ground to be used by our bodies, not whole. We used to buy the whole seeds and grind them because we ate some on our oatmeal or yogurt each morning. Now, I just buy the flaxseed meal for just my needs.
Anna
I typically buy the ground flax, but I didn't realize that our body could not use the whole seeds.
Anna
Delicious, healthy, and nutritious. We make these often.
Darlene
Great recipe! I'm curious how much your 1/2 scoop of protein powder is exactly. Scoop sizes vary by brand, so that amount could make a large difference from one brand to another. I make a very similar recipe and have also found chia seeds make a healthy, tasty addition. I also like to add ground cinnamon, a splash of vanilla extract (about 1 tsp.), and occasionally Rice Krispies for a little crunchy texture. Even though they're called Protein "Balls," I find I prefer them scooped with a cookie scooper and not rolled afterwards. The little bit of added texture from the craggy edges of the dough makes them taste cookie-like.
Anna
Hmmm...for some reason I was assuming that all protein powders would have the same size scoop. Just now discovered that compared to another protein powder my son uses, mine is a (1 oz.) half-sized scoop. So technically I was only adding 1/4 scoop. I'm going to make them again right now, and add a full (1/2 sized) scoop and see how much difference it makes. I'll adjust the recipe accordingly.