High-Protein, Banana Energy Balls

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Some snacks are just… reliable. You know, the kind that hits the spot whether you’re running out the door, powering through emails, or just need something slightly sweet after lunch. These banana energy balls are one of those. They’re soft, naturally sweet, and packed with protein to actually keep you full for more than ten minutes. No oven. No drama. Just mix, roll, and snack. Let’s get into it.

What You Need

All you need is a ripe banana, a few pantry staples, and about 10 minutes of hands-on time.

Start with one medium banana—make sure it’s ripe with a few brown spots. It gives you natural sweetness and a soft base to bind everything together. I usually mash it with a fork until it’s super smooth (lumps don’t mix well later on).

You’ll want about a cup of oats. Rolled oats work great, and they give these energy balls a nice chewy texture. If you only have quick oats, no worries—they’ll just be a bit softer.

Scoop in a bit of protein powder. I usually go with 1/4 to 1/3 cup depending on the consistency I want. Vanilla or chocolate both work here—choose your own adventure. If your powder is chalky or strong-tasting, you may want to adjust the sweetener.

Speaking of sweetener, I usually add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup or honey (if you’re cool with that). The banana already brings a lot of sweetness, so you might not need much.

Then, add a generous spoonful of nut butter. Peanut butter gives them a classic cookie dough flavor, but almond or sunflower seed butter are great if you want something different.

At this point, the mixture should hold its shape when pressed. If it’s too sticky, toss in a few more oats. Too dry? Add a tiny splash of plant-based milk.

Finish it off with extras if you’re feeling it—mini chocolate chips, hemp seeds, or crushed walnuts are all fair game.

Tool Requirements

You don’t need a fancy setup to throw these together.

Just grab a mixing bowl big enough to comfortably mash your banana and stir everything else in.

A fork works fine for mashing, and a sturdy spoon or spatula is all you need to mix.

Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to portion them out, and your hands to roll them into shape. If you want less mess, a little oil or water on your hands goes a long way.

A small plate or tray is helpful for chilling them once they’re rolled.

Preparation Instructions

Start by peeling and mashing your banana in a bowl until it’s nice and smooth.

Add in the oats, protein powder, nut butter, sweetener, and a pinch of salt. Mix it all together until it forms a thick, sticky dough.

If you’re adding mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, now’s the time.

Scoop out small portions and roll them into balls. They don’t need to be perfect—just roughly the same size.

Pop them in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to firm up. That’s it. You’re done.

Serving Ideas

These are great straight from the fridge, but if you want to mix it up:

• Roll them in chopped nuts or coconut flakes for texture.
• Sandwich two around a thin layer of nut butter for a fun twist.
• Crumble one over oatmeal or yogurt for extra fuel.
• Toss a few into your gym bag (just don’t forget about them for three days).

They’re super easy to love—no rules, no prep time, just solid snacking.

Storage Tips

• These banana balls are happiest when stored in the fridge. Keep them in a sealed container and they’ll stay fresh for about 5–6 days.
• Want to make a bunch ahead of time? Freeze them! They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Just let them thaw for a few minutes before eating, or eat them frozen for a firmer, fudgy bite.
• They’re perfect to keep on hand for when you want something quick, energizing, and a little sweet without being junky.

Note: Using Raw Oats in Energy Balls

Raw oats are commonly used in no-bake energy ball recipes, but it’s important to choose the right type and understand how they work in this recipe.

Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best texture, offering a pleasantly chewy consistency. Quick oats can be used as well, though they will yield a softer result as they absorb moisture more readily. Avoid steel-cut oats entirely, as they remain too firm and gritty when uncooked.

The moisture from ingredients like mashed banana, nut butter, or syrup helps soften the oats during preparation. The chilling process further improves the texture, allowing the oats to firm up similarly to overnight oats.

While raw oats are safe to consume, some people may find them difficult to digest. For easier digestion, quick oats are preferable since they are partially pre-cooked. Alternatively, you can toast rolled oats at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes before using them in the recipe.

For a smoother texture, briefly pulsing the oats in a blender before mixing can help reduce any grittiness. This small extra step makes a noticeable difference in the final consistency.

Table of contents

High-Protein, Banana Energy Balls

These High-Protein Banana Energy Balls are the perfect vegan snack or vegan dessert—no baking required! Made with almond flour, plant-based protein, and natural sweeteners, they’re soft, nutty, and packed with protein to keep you energized. Ready in just 10 minutes + chilling!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Resting Time 30 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 energy balls

Calories 90 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 medium ripe banana mashed
• 1 cup rolled oats or quick oats for softer texture
• ¼ cup protein powder vanilla or chocolate
• 1 ½ tbsp maple syrup or honey optional, adjust to taste
• 2 tbsp nut butter peanut, almond, or sunflower seed butter
• Pinch of salt
• 1 ½ tsp plant-based milk if needed for binding
• hemp seeds, chopped nuts, cinnamon optional

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Instructions

 

• Mash banana in a bowl until smooth.
• Add oats, protein powder, nut butter, sweetener (if using), and salt. Mix into a thick dough.
• If too sticky, add more oats; if too dry, add milk 1 tsp at a time.
• Fold in optional add-ins (chocolate chips, seeds, etc.).
• Roll into ~1-inch balls (wet hands to prevent sticking).
• Chill for 20–30 minutes in fridge to firm up.

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 4gFat: 2g

Keyword Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.