These healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls taste like a chocolate peanut butter cup! They are nutritious, vegan, gluten free, and guaranteed to come to your rescue when hunger strikes.
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Of all the healthy snack recipes I make, energy balls are the ones I come back to most.
Between my go-to Oatmeal Energy Balls and specialty flavors (like Pumpkin Energy Balls, Fig Almond Energy Balls, and Ginger Cookie Healthy Energy Balls), I’ve made a small hipster cafe’s worth of energy bites and protein ball recipes over the years.
- They’re simple to make. Simply pulse in a food processor and roll—it doesn’t get much easier than that! (Although these No Bake Granola Bars are pretty simple too!)
- They’re adaptable to just about every dietary and lifestyle consideration. Need yours to be raw, vegan, gluten free, keto, and/or naturally sweetened? Protein balls have got you covered!
- AND they both fuel your body with good-for-you ingredients and nutrients while satisfying even the most discerning sweet tooth. (Same goes for these Vegan Protein Bars.)
5 Star Review
“Searched for this when trying to treat my peanut butter cup addiction. Feel a lot better knowing I’m getting the chocolate peanut butter deliciousness without filling my body with who knows what’s in the Reese’s!”
— Lauren —
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
These chocolate peanut butter energy balls (or chocolate peanut butter bliss balls as I call them) taste like morsels of chocolate peanut butter cookie dough (from my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies) but are made entirely of healthy ingredients.
The Ingredients
- Medjool Dates. Dates taste like caramel, are high in fiber, and create a raw protein ball “dough” that is easy to shape (or press into these Vegan Cookie Dough Bars with Chocolate Chips). Dates are a great alternative to making protein balls without honey, maple syrup, or other sweeteners.
- Peanut Butter. Chocolate’s natural partner in crime. Keep in mind your choice of peanut butter will impact the consistency of the dough. Natural peanut butter with a thinner consistency may require extra oats. Conversely, shelf-stable peanut butter may require that you reduce the amount of oats (or add more PB to compensate).
- Cocoa Powder. For a more intense, rich chocolatey taste.
- Chocolate Chips. Because why stop with just cocoa powder when you can add little flecks of chocolate into every indulgent bite too?
- Oats. Help bind the protein balls together by soaking up excess moisture from the peanut butter. Added bonus: I love how their subtle nuttiness complements the peanut butter.
- Chia Seeds. My favorite protein alternative whenever I’m looking to make energy balls without protein powder. (They’re also my secret protein sneak in these Oatmeal Protein Cookies.)
The Directions
- Soak and rehydrate your dates (if needed). Pulse the dates in a food processor until broken into small bits.
- Add the oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, chia seeds, and salt.
- Pulse until the mixture is broken down into small pieces, then add the cocoa powder.
TIP!
At this point, the dough will look like crumbs, but when you scoop some into your hand and press to roll it into a ball, it should hold together easily.
- If it seems too dry and isn’t holding together, add a little peanut butter.
- If it’s too sticky, add a few more oats.
The amount you need may vary based upon the brand of peanut butter you use and the moisture of the dates.
- Roll the dough into balls of your desired size. Treat yourself immediately, or chill in the refrigerator until set. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Leftover energy balls can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- To Freeze. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator or overnight.
What to Serve with Protein Balls
Pair with your favorite post-workout smoothie:
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Food Processor. I have owned this one for more than 10 years. It’s easy to clean and works just as well as the day I bought it.
- Cookie Scoop. A small one like this is great for making energy bites of uniform size and shape.
- Parchment Paper. Great for lining storage containers to prevent your protein balls from sticking.
Whether for breakfast, midday snack, or late-night dessert, healthy chocolate peanut butter protein balls are sure to satisfy.
Frequently Asked Questions
While I can’t speak to all energy ball recipes, the chia seeds in this chocolate peanut butter protein balls recipe stay crisp. This recipe has just enough moisture to hold the balls together—not enough to cause the chia seeds to become plump, soft, or gummy.
Sometimes! Unfortunately, there is not a great substitute for dates in this particular energy ball recipe. The dates are critical for this recipe to sweeten the energy balls and give them their shape. Try these Peanut Butter Protein Balls if you prefer an energy ball recipe without dates.
Sure! While I haven’t tried adding protein powder to this recipe before, I think you could play around with adding a few tablespoons. If the dough is too dry, add a little more nut butter until you get a consistency you like. You could also try these Protein Balls!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
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Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups Medjool dates pitted (about 10 dates)
- ¼ cup peanut butter plus 2 tablespoons
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds you can also use ground flaxseeds, hempseed, or an additional tablespoon of oats
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- If your dates are dry, put them in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit 10 minutes to rehydrate, then drain and pat dry.
- Place the dates in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse several times until the dates break into small bits and form a ball that sticks to the side of the bowl.
- Add the oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, chia seeds, and salt.
- Pulse until the mixture is broken down and in small pieces but not completely smooth. Add the cocoa powder and pulse to combine. (At this point, the dough will look like crumbs, but when you scoop some into your hand and press to roll it into a ball, it should hold together easily. If it seems too dry and isn't holding together, add a little peanut butter; if it's too sticky, add a few more oats. The amount you need may vary based upon the brand of peanut butter you use and the moisture of the dates.)
- Roll the dough into balls of your desired size (I did slightly over 1 inch and ended up with 14 energy balls).
- Enjoy immediately (the balls will be soft but delicious) or pop in the refrigerator for 10 or so minutes to allow the balls to set.
Notes
- TO STORE: Leftover chocolate peanut butter energy balls can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- TO FREEZE: Frozen protein balls are good for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator or overnight.
Nutrition
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Don’t miss these other protein-packed energy balls and bars recipes:
Can one make these with protein powder? Thank you.
Hi Marti! I haven’t tried that but I think you could play around with adding a few tablespoons. If the dough is too dry, add a little more nut butter until you get a consistency you like. I also have these protein balls, which call for protein powder: https://www.wellplated.com/no-bake-protein-balls/.
Could I substitute honey for the dates?
Hi Rachel! Unfortunately not—the dates have a much thicker consistency and honey will be too runny for the recipe to hold together. If you’d like to use honey, I suggest trying one of these: https://www.wellplated.com/energy-balls/
These are absolute perfection! So adaptable based on what you have on hand, and such a classic combo that will never become old.
Kori, I am so so happy to hear it (and I loved your IG pic too). THANK YOU for this lovely review. It truly means so much to me!
These were an absolute hit with the 4yr old AND hubby! And totally healthy! We’ll be making a LOT more of these! (P.S. I didnt have any chocolate chips but I did have some butterscotch chips leftover from another recipe and hubbh says that the butterscotch was an excellent addition ❤️)
Kim, I am so so soooo happy to hear it! Thank you for letting me know and for taking time to leave this fabulous review! The butterscotch sounds amazing.
Erin! You did what no one has done before! Make a healthy energy snack that actually tastes delicious, not like chewing cardboard. My son works construction and is expounding a lot of energy every day, and he’s told me to just keep a supply of these on hand! I told him that there are dates in them AFTER he tried one. Ordinarily he wouldn’t eat dates with somebody else’s mouth..haha. So thanks for this and so many other recipes we’ve tried. sometimes I wonder how I managed to cook before I subscribed to your blog..lol
Cat, this comment MADE MY DAY, thank you!!!! I am so happy you found my blog and enjoyed this recipe so much!
These are so tasty and delicious! We really like them and they will be a snack staple in our house going forward. I will say I only own a mini food processor, so it was not large enough to fit everything that it needs. I did it in batches, then mixed it by hand. I think next time I’ll just do the dates and the oats in the food processor. Thanks!
Thanks for the extra notes, Christine! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
I made these last weekend and they were sooooo good! Instead of the cocoa powder, I used chocolate protein powder and they turned out great. Even my 10 year old liked them.
Thanks for sharing this review, Bekah! I’m glad you enjoyed them!
These are great. They really taste like No Bakes!! Love them
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Paula! Thanks for reporting back!
Outstanding! Followed recipe exactly and couldn’t be happier with the final product. I will be sharing this delicious snack recipe with all my friends!
I’m SO happy to hear that these were a hit, Katherine! Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind review!
What is the shelf life of these delicious bars
Hi Danielle! These chocolate peanut butter energy balls can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months. I hope you love them!
Tried these out today and just tasted one and omg they are so tasty and it tastes like you’re eating something really sweet and indulgent but this only has natural sugars in!! I didn’t put the chocolate chips in but I used all the other ingredients. I didn’t find it made my food processor messy and it was super easy to clean out. Really really love these and will be making more in the future :) I managed to make 15 balls in total.
Thank you for sharing this kind review, Lauren! I’m so happy that this recipe was a hit!
My first try at energy balls and they are a big success. I love the simplicity of these delicious treats. I’ll be sure to test out a few of your other versions. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for sharing this kind review, Alyssas! I’m so happy this recipe was a hit!
Can I make without cocoa powder? It’s not available at the store right now, but I have all of the other ingredients!
Hi Kathy! I’ve never tried this recipe without the cocoa powder, but I think it would alter the flavor quite a bit. Another reader has swapped in chocolate protein powder with success. Otherwise, I’d recommend checking out these No Bake Cookie Dough Energy Bites or these Oatmeal Energy Balls instead. I hope this helps!
Thanks for your response. Actually, I went ahead yesterday and made without the cocoa powder, and they were DELICIOUS! Didn’t taste like it was missing anything at all! With the chocolate chips, it still had plenty of chocolate flavor. I’ll have to try it with the cocoa powder someday to compare, but I definitely recommend going ahead with it even if missing the cocoa powder.
Thank you for taking the time to report back, Kathy! I’m SO pleased to hear that they were a hit!
Love these balls! Like most annoying at home chefs, I always change it up depending on what I have. ? Today no chia, so plain sesame seeds will do :)
Make these every Sunday for the week ahead.
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed them, Shelley! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Searched for this when trying to treat my Reese’s peanut butter cup addiction. Feel a lot better knowing I’m getting the chocolate peanut butter deliciousness without filling my body with who knows what’s in the Reese’s cups!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Lauren! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Has anyone made these in a VitaMix? This is all I have available :) Thanks!
Hi Niki! I’ve only tried these in a food processor, but you could experiment with it. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Hi Erin, can i use unsweetened or dark chocolate chips? Or it will taste bitter? Planning to make it soon.. :)
Hi Anne! I think unsweetened chocolate chips would be too bitter, but you could experiment with dark chocolate chips if you prefer them. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
These were super easy to make in my food processor! I rehydrated the dates per your instructions and used a central market HEB smooth brand peanut butter – the consistency came out perfect! I substituted cocao powder for cocoa. They came out amazingggg! Will def be making them again.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Bianca! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I love these!! And they really fill you up in between meals or after a work out! I too didn’t have cocoa powder so supplemented a couple drops of vanilla extract and they were PERFECT. 10/10
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Kirsten! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Will the chia become slimy???? I’d hate to use expensive ingredients to have them ruined by slimy texture chia get when exposed to wetness???
Hi Liana! I don’t find these slimy at all (there isn’t enough liquid for the chia to plump). They stay crunchy. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Now i feel CONFIDENT to try this recipe! I just get tired of using costly ingredients and finding recipe is gross! I will always ask first and only try if i can be answered, so thank you!
Great to hear! You’re welcome! Thanks Liana!
This is an easy, quick delicious recipe. I have made it several times and switch up the nut butters and seeds and it always turns out yummy!
So great to hear Andrea! So glad you enjoyed the energy balls! Thank you for this kind review!
The taste and texture will change if I froze them?
Hi Camila! I enjoy these all of the time right out of the freezer and they are so delicious! Hope you enjoy them!
I have date syrup, not dates. Could I use that instead? Same amount? Thank you!
Hi April, I’m sorry a syrup wouldn’t work. You need the dates to create a dough for your ball.
Don’t make these they disappear without a trace. So good, I don’t usually post but people must try these. I added 1/2 tsp vanilla extract cause I like it.
Hi Bill! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Really great recipe! I will make these again. I used cinnamon peanut butter and did 1/2 chia 1/2 hemp for the seeds. Yum!
Hi Kacie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Amazing .. easy and delicious
Hi CM! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
99% satisfaction rate.
Hi Robert! So glad you enjoyed it!
These sound delicious but I’m looking for a healthy alternative to store bought protein bars and the orient balls only show 2grams of protein. Do you have any other recipes for a ball or bar that have would have more protein?
Hi Jackie! Here you go: https://www.wellplated.com/vegan-protein-bars/ Also here is a list of all of my energy balls and bars: https://www.wellplated.com/category/recipes-by-type/energy-balls-bars/ ENJOY!
very tasty and fast to make.
Hi slb! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These are so good! I’m 38.5 weeks pregnant and eating 4-6 Deglet Noor dates every day to (hopefully!) help with labor. This is a fun way to mix up my usual routine of just dousing the dates in natural peanut butter. I used 26 Deglet Noor dates (they’re about half the size of Medjool) for 13 energy balls. I thought a batch would last me longer, but my husband loves them too! :)
Hi Delie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Didn’t stick that well together when making but after they were set in the fridge they were ok next time I would put less peanut butter can’t taste anything else
Thanks for the feedback, Caroline. Peanut butter is the predominate flavor in these balls. If you adjust it, let me know how it goes!
These are easy and quick to make and taste delicious! The perfect amount of sweetness making it a nice heathy snack or dessert to add to your meal
Thank you Catherine!
These are the absolute dogs! I make double and freeze them (it’s the only way to stop them all getting scoffed at once). They are the perfect treat – they defrost quickly, are so delish and absolutely satiating. Thanks for the recipe Erin!
These look fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
This looks super yummy! Could I make this without oats somehow? I’m celiac and GF oats are super expensive where I live! X
Neisha, I’m afraid the oats are important to make it come together. You could try this recipe with coconut flour, but I know it’s pricey also: https://www.wellplated.com/no-bake-protein-balls/