Description
These Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Balls are a quick, no-bake snack made with almond butter, rolled oats, vanilla protein powder, peppermint extract, and mini dark chocolate chips. They’re perfect for meal prep, kid-friendly, and taste like your favorite ice cream flavor in healthy snack form.
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats (about 50 g) — old-fashioned oats work best
- 1 cup almond butter (about 240 g) — creamy or crunchy, your choice; you can also use peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed butter
- 2 tablespoons honey (about 42 g) — or maple syrup for a vegan swap
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder (about 30 g) — any brand you love
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract — start here and adjust to taste
- ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips (about 40 g) — the mini ones distribute better, but regular chips work too
- 1–2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk (about 15–30 ml) — only if needed to help the dough come together
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond butter, honey, vanilla protein powder, and peppermint extract. Stir everything together with a sturdy spoon or spatula until it’s evenly mixed.
Take a look at your mixture. Can you pinch it together and form a ball? If it’s too crumbly or dry, add almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring after each addition. Keep going until the dough holds together when squeezed.
Gently fold in the mini dark chocolate chips. Try not to overmix, you want those little chocolate bursts evenly distributed throughout.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture (a cookie scoop works beautifully here) and roll it between your palms to form a ball. Place each one on a tray or plate. Repeat until all the dough is used, you should get about 12 protein balls.
Pop the tray into the refrigerator and let the balls chill for at least 20 minutes. This helps them firm up and makes them easier to grab and go.
Transfer your chilled protein balls to an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week, if they last that long!
Notes
- Taste your dough before rolling — want more mint? Add another ⅛ teaspoon of extract. Want it sweeter? Drizzle in a bit more honey
- Don’t overmix once you add chocolate chips — you’ll break them up and lose that fun chip texture
- Store in a single layer — if you stack them too high, they can stick together
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: Chill Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American