I really want baby girl to make her entrance. Last time I made protein balls, Brooks arrived the next day. And so today, I made protein balls! My protein ball recipe is actually the first recipe I ever shared to my blog and, while it is tasty, the recipe – and post itself -needed some intervention! I decided to modify the recipe to a condensed version with a few suggested add-ins to increase energy and promote lactation for those of you who also find yourself in the throes of new motherhood. This 5 Ingredient protein ball recipe is as simple as it is delicious and is sure to be a hit with your family!

Protein balls aren’t an original idea, but what is often overlooked is how versatile and adaptable they can be. If you have a good protein ball “base”, you can manipulate the additional ingredients to support whatever you feel your body needs! For me right now that’s iron, energy, and lactation support, so I added in some ingredients that would provide those boosts. The add in’s are always optional, and more is NOT always better. However, I find that the more power I can sneak in to my base recipe, the better my body feels through the day!

For those of you who are looking for more of a “reduced guilt” dessert recipe to have on hand, I added a “dessert version” modification at the end of the recipe. I actually make the “dessert version” each Christmas time and call them “Healthy Buckeye Balls” – they are SO tasty and better than chowing down on peanut butter cups!

5 Ingredient Protein Balls

When you make this recipe, start with the base, mix, and fold in your add-in’s from there! If your add-in’s begin to change the consistency, you can add more peanut butter/honey to reduce crumbling and more oats to make them more firm!

Protein Balls – Base Recipe:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cup PB (chunky) -add more or less to desired consistency
• 1/4 cup flax seeds
•  2 Tbsp honey
•  Dark chocolate chips (Ghirardelli  60% are best)

Optional Add-In’s:

•  1/2 C unsweetened coconut
•  2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 C chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, etc).
•  1 tsp vanilla extract – for more depth of flavor
•  Lactation Support: 2 T brewers yeast

Dessert Version:

•  Add 1/4 C powdered sugar + another 1/4 C peanut butter
•  Melt white chocolate chips and dip the balls into the chocolate to coat!

Directions:

Mix all ingredients with mixer or by hand (I use a KitchenAid Handheld mixer) and roll into 1-inch balls. You can also roll them in coconut or cocoa powder for a fun finish! Place in Tupperware and store in the fridge for as long as you can get them to last (which won’t be long because they taste like cookies)!

This is the kind of snack you get excited about when you open the fridge! They’re perfect for grabbing on the go and curbing that mid-day exhaustion (or the constant ravenous hunger that comes with nursing). I hope you’ll give these protein balls a shot and make them your own with whatever goodies you find in your pantry! If you do, be sure to tag me on instagram so I can see your creation!

Always with LOVE,

Kelsie