These 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Protein Balls Taste Like a Reese's Cup

Face it: Pre-packaged, protein-rich snacks rarely check the boxes for both nutrition and taste. If a munchie has a notable amount of the macronutrient, more often than not, it's so chalky and gritty that you force yourself to gobble it down in under a minute.

Thanks to these five-ingredient peanut butter protein balls, however, you don't need to subject your tastebuds to thattorture any longer. The bite-sized snacks are chock-full of salty nuts and sweet chocolate chips — and despite their candy-like flavor, they offer 8 grams of protein per serving (!!). Plus, these five-ingredient protein balls also contain fibrous oats, an ingredient that leaves you feeling energized, supports regular bowel movements, and helps reduce cholesterol. Consequently, it's an ideal post-workout snack. (

A top-notch nutritional profile isn't this mini munchie's only perk. These peanut butter protein balls are made from a few simple, inexpensive ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, so you can whip up a batch whenever a craving strikes. They also don't require much time or skill to make (no master chef skills needed), and you can stash any leftovers in your backpack or gym bag for when you need a protein boost on the go.

While this five-ingredient protein ball recipe is delicious and filling as it is, it can totally be tweaked to help you meet your nutritional goals. If you'd like an extra boost of protein, add one or two scoops of your favorite protein powder when you add the peanut butter to the mixture. (Just add a teaspoon of water if the mixture becomes too dry to form into balls.)

Hungry yet? Break out your food processor, gather your ingredients, and make these peanut butter protein balls for a satisfying snack that feels like dessert.

5-Ingredient Chocolate and Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Total Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 8 (2 protein balls per person)

Ingredients

• 5 pitted dried dates
• 3/4 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup lightly salted peanuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish

Directions

1. Place dried dates in bowl of a food processor* and pulse until roughly chopped, about 45 seconds.
2. Add peanut butter to bowl and blend for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then blend for another 30 seconds.
3. Add oats, peanuts, and chocolate chips to bowl and pulse until combined, about 10 seconds.
4. Roll mixture into 16 equal-sized balls (about 1 tablespoon each), then press a few chocolate chips on the outside for garnish.
5. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before enjoying. Store peanut butter protein balls in a zip-top bag in refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

*Tip: Spray the blades of your food processor with non-stick cooking spray to help prevent the dates from sticking.

Nutrition facts per serving (two protein balls): 239 calories, 16g fat, 3.7g saturated fat, 16g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 8g protein.