These powerballs are the perfect option for your little athlete or yourself as a pre and/or post workout snack! I pop one every morning before hitting the gym, my husband relies on them for afternoon snackage to get him through the workday and all three of my kids keep them as a staple in their backpack to keep them fueled after school during practices!
As their name implies, these powerballs are not only delicious, but they pack a powerful nutritional punch! Little does your family know they are packed full of protein, healthy fats and carbs to help them perform at their best! Knowing my family is enjoying whole and healthy clean treats makes my heart the happiest.
The older my kids get the less and less they want to indulge in my home cooked meals. If there is something I make that they love, I make it often! These are on our weekly meal prep rotation. They are super simple to throw together and you most likely have all the ingredients in your pantry. The best part about these little gems is you can’t mess them up. Play around with the ingredients, customize to your families liking and enjoy!
Our favorite mix-ins are Enjoy Life chocolate chips. My kids think the batter tastes just like cookie dough. If you’re worried about added sugars you can always skip the chocolate chips and substitute chopped nuts or seeds instead. Dried fruit is also a great addition. There is no wrong combo with powerballs, get creative!
I’ve had so many comments from readers about texture from other powerball recipes being slightly off and I’ve found a few factors that set these apart from the rest. First, the peanut butter. I’ve been making these for many years now and I’ve found that the best peanut butter to use is Adams all natural NO-STIR. It makes all the difference in the overall texture. I grab mine at my local Kroger store for about $3. The ingredients are super clean and there is no added sugar.
Second, don’t skip breaking down your oats. I like to pulse mine in the blend-tec once or twice, just enough to lessen the chunks. The finer texture helps the ingredients stick together better.
Third, use your Kitchen Aid, it’s a game changer. It yields perfect “dough” every single time. When I first started making these I used a bowl and a wooden spoon and it took twice as long to mix. It’ll still do the trick if you don’t have access to a stand mixer, no worries!
Lastly, use a cookie scoop to make your balls. It saves time and makes 36 perfectly shaped servings. Put your kids to work for this part. Not only will they love to help you, they will be more likely to eat their homemade treat!
Did you know my Powerballs were the very FIRST recipe I shared on IG over four years ago? Now they are not only a whole family favorite in our home, but in yours too! Nothing makes me happier knowing you are enjoying our recipes with your families. Thank you for visiting, I’m so happy you’re here!
I recently made my first video with the help from my friend Erin at Meaningful Eats (check out her page, its full of gluten free goodness). We had so much fun and there will definitely be more videos to come soon! It seemed only fitting to film my very first recipe I ever posted to Instagram for my very first video FOUR YEARS LATER! I hope you guys love it! Xo
Powerballs
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats slightly broken down in the blender
- 1 cup peanut butter I use Adams all natural no stir
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/2-1 cup mix ins mini chocolate chips, dried fruit or nuts
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/8 cup hemp seeds
- 1/8 cup chia seeds
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- dash of sea salt
Instructions
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Combine all dry ingredients in a kitchen-aid mixing bowl.
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Using the paddle attachment, mix until well blended.
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Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until a "dough" forms.
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Scoop into balls with a 2-inch cookie scoop.
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Place onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
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Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Would chocolate protein powder work if we don’t have vanilla? What kind do you use? Is there another alternative?
Absolutely! I love VEGA plant-based personally!
I’ve used chocolate and vanilla and they both taste delicious!
Love this recipe! Also I’ve used chocolate and vanilla protein power and they both taste delicious!
Oh I need to try chocolate!!
Would the power balls still work out if I ground the oatmeal into a powder? My daughter will point out the oatmeal and turn up her nose. Same thing happens with my meatball recipe.
They should. I have never tried it but I would imagine so! Kids are so funny!
Hi ( : Any idea on an estimated carb count per ball? JUST made these for the first time and was AMAZED at how awesome these were!!! My 7 year old helped roll and LOVED them too!!! THANK YOU for this awesome recipe!!!
I would think if you put the recipe in My fitness Pal or similar should help.
Could I sub Pure Maple Syrup for Honey?
You could! It may not be as sticky though!
Do you use Vega from Costco? Or is there another variety that is better. I am trying to find a plant based powder to help with some tummy issues.
IdealRaw brand is awesome!
Hi these look awesome! Any idea what a serving is?
I made these with 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips and jay Robb vanilla protein. the macros were 6.3F 14.5C 4.7P
Thank you for sharing!!
I made these this morning and they’re AMAZING. I used 1 c. mini chocolate chips for my add-in and subbed 1 c. PBFit for the natural peanut butter. It netted 31 power balls at 108 calories each. Macros 15.9C/4.1F/3.4P! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Wow the PBfit was a great addition! I’ll have to try it! Enjoy!
Did you mix the PB2 with water or just use the powder straight?
Such a good idea! Did you just put in straight powder?
Protein powder? Yes!!
I don’t have hemp seeds but I do have ground flax, could I sub with that?
Absolutely!
In the video it shows shredded coconut but it’s not listed in the recipe. How much coconut do we add?
!/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (:
Can you use quick cooking steel cut oats?
The quick oats tend to get mushy. I would stick to the old-fashioned!
can you use regular whey protein powder that’s not flavored and just add a dash of vanilla?
Of course!
I tried making these without peanut butter (becauss I don’t like it in things that much) and I found that the “dough” wouldn’t really clump together and I struggled to shape them into balls. Do you think that the missing peanut butter was the reason and do you have any suggestions as to what I could sub? Thank you!
Yes the stickiness of the honey and peanut butter combined are key. You could sub for another type of nut better, but the creamy peanut butter yields the best results. Try the lemon chia powerballs recipe, it uses dates for sweetness and stickiness!
I’d love to make these but unfortunately I can’t have oats. Anything you can suggest I could sub for them? I know they’re a big part of the recipe:(
Could you do almond meal? Ground wholegrain cereal would also work too!
What kind/brand of protein powder do you recommend?
I love Teras whey!
What are macros for these?
I made these with 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips and jay Robb vanilla protein. the macros were 6.3F 14.5C 4.7P
These are my fav.. have made them several times. Love love.. l pick me. 😄
Your power balls have CHANGED MY LIFE! I am OBSESSED to say the least. 💕
I’m allergic to coconut and nuts. Any alternatives?
Yes! Try my Sunbutter power balls!
Yum!! I love powerballs!😋😋😋
I’m so glad you reposted this to your Instagram because I’ve been itching for a “treat” that’s clean. I tried making an avacado chocolate cake the other day and almost gave up on clean eating entirely. Ha! But this is a sweet way to get the ultimate amount of protein and happiness, honestly. Haha!!
Can’t wait to try these !!!!
I have someone that canot eat coconut. Is this necessary or is there a substiture
You could definitely sub it out and add more seeds or ground oats in its place!
Love these! I keep making them over and over! I could store them in Le Crueset right?? 😉
Do you know the amount of carbs and protein in each serving? I am watching my friend’s diabetic daughter and I know she would love these but I need to count the carbs in them? Thank you!
Just a quick guesstimate, 4 carbs and 7 protein! I hope that helps!
I made these with 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips and jay Robb vanilla protein. the macros were 6.3F 14.5C 4.7P
How important is the protein powder? I don’t have any and access to it is limited where I live. 🙂
Another question – have you used Almond butter instead of peanut butter? Would it make too much of a difference?
Hi Brenda,
I have and you will need to add 1-2 tbsp melted coconut oil to even out the texture for the swap! Still yummy!!
You could totally skip it!
Such a great recipe! I used chocolate protein powder instead and it tastes great! I love these before or after a workout (: an everyday treat for sure.
I also used gluten free oats!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Love the idea of switching up the protein flavor!
Oh my gosh, you just made my year! I’ve been mixing these by hand for so long and now see that you use your mixer! SO. MUCH. EASIER!!
thank you!!
Haha! It is LIFE CHANGING!!!
I made these minus the chia seeds. For some reason, chia seeds do NOT work well for our stomachs. However, we all loved these. My kids call them chocolate chip cookie dough balls. My very picky daughter loves these, so these are a double thumbs up from all of us!
This makes me so happy! You can always add extra hemp or coconut in place of chia as well! Xo
Do you have a recommendation on a replacement for chocolate chips?
Hi Lauren,
You could add chopped nuts?
I have an oat allergy. Do you have any suggestions for a substitute?
You could try almond meal? Let me know if you do, I’m curious to see if it turns out!
Great
we love your skills,
keep sharing!
Made these a million times & I keep coming back! 🙂
Thanks for this awesome recipe!
Yay! I am so happy you love them!!
great post thanks for sharing with us
shimmringstar
great post thanks for sharing with us
shimmringstar
Found you via Simply Sadie Jane’s IG stories and this recipe is perfection. Fast, easy, and delicious! Instantly going into permanent snack rotation!!
I am so happy you are here! THANK YOU!! I hope you love them!!
Thank you for sharing!!! Xo