Banana Bread Protein Balls have the same warm and comforting flavors of banana bread. Made with oats, bananas, peanut butter, and protein powder, each bite is an energy boost!

banana bread protein balls with a glass of milk with a straw

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Oatmeal Protein Balls

It’s easy to make healthy choices when these banana bread protein balls are around! Loaded with natural, healthy ingredients, you can feel great about reaching for these bites. No preservatives or additives here!

These protein balls are naturally sweetened with bananas and have the same great flavors we love about banana bread. Oats add texture and peanut butter pairs wonderfully with chocolate protein powder. Enjoy a couple protein bites pre or post workout, on your way to work, or for a late night treat. Satisfy your snack craving with these banana bread protein balls!

Be sure to try my Peanut Butter Energy Balls and Walnut Brownie Protein Balls too!

Why You’ll Love this Energy Balls Recipe:

  • HEALTHY: Made from scratch with wholesome ingredients, these bites are a protein-packed snack.
  • FLAVORFUL: With sweet bananas, warm cinnamon, and salty peanut butter, each protein ball is loaded with flavor.
  • MAKE AHEAD: Keep a batch of banana bread protein balls in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Skip the store bought snacks and whip up a batch of these protein balls instead. Homemade always tastes better!

step by step photos for how to make banana bread protein balls
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stack of 2 banana bread protein balls

How to Make Banana Bread Protein Balls

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Mix the dry ingredients together.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients.
  3. Chill the protein ball mixture.
  4. Scoop the mixture into balls.
  5. Refrigerate and enjoy.
banana bread protein balls with a glass of milk with a straw
overhead image of banana bread protein balls in a bowl
Can I use vanilla protein powder?

Absolutely! Simply replace the chocolate protein powder with an equal amount of vanilla protein powder.

What kind of protein powder should I use?

Use 60 grams of your favorite kind of chocolate or vanilla protein powder! This is typically about 2 scoops, but make sure to read the label or weigh the powder before adding.

Can I skip chilling the protein ball mixture?

I don’t recommend it. This step allows the mixture to firm up a bit before scooping and shaping into balls.

How long do these protein balls last?

Store protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Make sure they’ve chilled in a single layer in the refrigerator first to prevent the protein balls from sticking to each other.

I love keeping a batch of these protein balls on hand for a quick breakfast, afternoon pick-me-up, or a healthy dessert.

banana bread protein balls in a blue bowl

Tips!

  • For a vegan alternative, use maple syrup instead of honey and make sure the protein powder is also vegan.
  • The mixture is super sticky, so wet your hands before rolling the mixture into balls.
  • Overripe bananas are best! They’re naturally sweeter and will combine more easily with the other ingredients.

Beat the afternoon slump with these banana bread protein balls!

Are these protein balls gluten free?

To ensure these protein balls are gluten free, use certified gluten free oats and protein powder.

How can I make these protein balls without nuts?

Replace the peanut butter with an equal amount of a nut butter alternative (like sunflower seed butter) and make sure all of the other ingredients you use are also nut free.

What kind of oats should I use?

For best results, use old-fashioned rolled oats. In a pinch, you can use quick oats but they won’t have the same chewy texture.

More Quick Breakfast Recipes We Love

stack of 2 banana bread protein balls with a bite taken from the top one

Tasty and healthy, banana bread protein balls are hard to resist!

More Healthy Snack Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Banana Bread Protein Balls Recipe

4.77 from 38 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 34 balls
Author: Becky Hardin
featured banana bread protein balls
Banana Bread Protein Balls have the same warm and comforting flavors of banana bread. Made with oats, bananas, peanut butter, and protein powder, each bite is an energy boost!
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 300 grams
  • ½ cup ground flaxseed 70 grams
  • 2 ounces chocolate protein powder 60 grams (approximately 2 scoops)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 6 grams
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 overripe bananas mashed
  • ¼ cup natural peanut butter 68 grams
  • 2 tablespoons honey 44 grams

Instructions 

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
    ingredients for banana bread protein balls
  • In a large bowl, whisk the oats, flaxseed, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together.
    3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, ½ cup ground flaxseed, 2 ounces chocolate protein powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    ingredients for banana bread protein balls
  • Add the mashed bananas, peanut butter, and honey. Use a hand mixer or spatula to combine.
    2 overripe bananas, ¼ cup natural peanut butter, 2 tablespoons honey
  • Tightly cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Once the mixture has chilled, remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Use a 1-tablespoon-sized scoop to scoop out protein balls. Use your hands to shape the scoops into balls and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. This is a sticky process so wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands. Repeat until all of the protein ball mixture has been shaped into balls.
    banana bread protein balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
  • To prevent protein balls from sticking to each other, wrap the baking sheet in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before combining the protein balls into an airtight container. Protein balls can be enjoyed immediately without any additional chill time.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • For a vegan alternative, use maple syrup instead of honey and make sure the protein powder is also vegan.
  • The mixture is super sticky, so wet your hands before rolling the mixture into balls.
  • Overripe bananas are best! They’re naturally sweeter and will combine more easily with the other ingredients.
Storage: Store protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Make sure they’ve chilled in a single layer in the refrigerator first to prevent the protein balls from sticking to each other.
Serving: 1ballCalories: 67kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 33mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.77 from 38 votes (35 ratings without comment)
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16 Comments
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Bonnie
Bonnie
March 23, 2024 1:12 pm

Can you did them in dark chocolate?

Samantha Marceau
March 25, 2024 9:41 am
Reply to  Bonnie

We don’t see why not!

Lewis
Lewis
July 29, 2023 4:49 pm

Delicious!! I didn’t have flaxseeds, so I replaced with 20g of dessicated coconut, 10g of poppy seeds and two squares of 85% dark chocolate which I grated into the mix. I don’t have chocolate protein, but my salted caramel protein worked well. I just balanced it out with a little less nutmeg.5 stars

Samantha Marceau
July 31, 2023 9:09 am
Reply to  Lewis

So glad you loved this recipe, Lewis!

Bree
Bree
May 12, 2023 11:33 am

I’ve made this recipe 3x now. I add Lily’s chocolate chips before I roll the balls. These are great to keep in the fridge and my teenage boys love them. Thank you!5 stars

Samantha Marceau
December 6, 2022 4:37 pm

We’re sorry this recipe didn’t work out for you! You can always add more peanut butter to change the consistency!

Megan
Megan
August 28, 2022 11:39 am

Can you use chia seeds instead of flaxseed?

Samantha Marceau
August 29, 2022 9:32 am
Reply to  Megan

We don’t see why not!

Kimberly Oliver
Kimberly Oliver
August 24, 2022 1:19 pm

How many balls does this make

Samantha Marceau
August 24, 2022 3:25 pm

This recipe makes about 35 protein balls!

Lynn Irvin
Lynn Irvin
July 31, 2022 6:59 am

Can you use vanilla flavor protein powder instead? Has anyone else tried another flavor?

Samantha Marceau
August 1, 2022 9:16 am
Reply to  Lynn Irvin

Yes, you can use vanilla!

Sandra
Sandra
March 25, 2022 4:13 pm

Very delicious..was eating out of the bowl before oats were set! Lol! You are always a go-to for new recipes!(:5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 4, 2022 11:08 am
Reply to  Sandra

I love to hear that!

Christy A
Christy A
March 12, 2022 6:50 am

Approximately, how much protein is in one ball?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 17, 2022 11:46 am
Reply to  Christy A

Three grams