Easy No-Bake Protein Balls with Peanut Butter and Farro
These no-bake protein balls are made of farro, walnuts, peanut butter, chocolate, and coconut—an excellent go-to snack for mid-day energy dips. Or a perfect after-dinner guilt-free dessert.
Are you looking for a quick and easy, delicious, nutritious snack? Look no further than no-bake protein balls! These bite-sized sweet treats are made with wholesome ingredients such as farro, peanut butter, and walnuts, providing a convenient energy source and protein on the go. These protein balls are perfect for a pre-workout boost, a midday pick-me-up, or a post-workout snack. Plus, they’re customizable to your taste preferences to mix in different flavors, like mini chocolate chips or dried fruit. Say goodbye to processed snacks and hello to these nutritious and satisfying no-bake power balls!
Healthy, Filling, and Tasty Healthy Snacks: Why You Should Try Making No Bake Protein Balls Today
Regular meals are an essential part of a healthy diet. There is a constant debate if breakfast is the most important meal of the day (I think it is!), followed by healthy lunch and a not-so-heavy dinner. And all this perfectly combined into a healthy plate.
But what do we do in between when energy dips, and we just got to have something? This is where we have to play intelligently and choose healthy snacking. Many of us would grab a bag of chips or crackers for a quick bite. Instead, the better option is to reach out for a healthy alternative, such as these easy no-bake protein bites with peanut butter and farro.
The Benefits of Adding Farro to Your Diet
The main ingredient in this protein balls recipe is farro. Farro is an ancient grain used frequently in the Medditerenian diet. It resembles brown rice but is a type of wheat grain, so it is not gluten-free. It is used frequently in Italy, and I just noticed it in the United States a couple of years ago in stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
Wheat is often cooked in my home country of Serbia and is a common ingredient in some famous desserts. But you can also add it to your salads, breakfast bowls, or veggie burgers. And it goes exceptionally well in these mighty energy bites.
Discover the Power of These Bite-Size Energy Boosters – No Bake Protein Balls with Farro!
Farro has a characteristic nutty flavor, and one drawback is that it requires longer cooking times. However, there is pre-cooked farro sold at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s that I frequently use. Since it is pre-cooked, you only cook it for 10-15 minutes. If in a time crunch, this is a good option. But, if you have time, try it and cook it from scratch. Farro is especially rich in protein, so I used it in this recipe.
According to the USDA Food Central data, about 45 gr servings of dry Italian farro (1/4 cups) from Whole Foods contain:
- 6 g of protein (13% of recommended daily intake)
- 1 g total fat (2% of RDI)
- 35 g carbohydrates (27% of RDI)
- 3 g dietary fiber (12% RDI)
- 1.1 g iron (10% RDI)
- 160 mg potassium (6% RDI)
- 0 gr cholesterol
- 0 gr sodium
So, these no-bake peanut butter protein balls require simple ingredients and are the perfect snack for anyone looking to increase their protein intake without sacrificing taste. With endless flavor combinations and quick and easy preparation, these little bites are ideal for busy individuals who need a healthy snack. Whether you’re an athlete or just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, incorporating no-bake protein balls into your diet can help you reach your fitness goals while satisfying your sweet tooth. So go ahead and whip up a batch of these delicious treats today!
How to make chocolate peanut butter no bake protein balls
These no-bake protein balls are a quick and easy snack for anyone who is looking to add more protein to their diet. These delicious treats are perfect for those who are always on the go, as they require no baking and can be made in just a few minutes.
The main ingredient in no-bake protein balls is farro. Many different types of farro are available, each with unique benefits and different flavor profiles. You could also buy uncooked or pre-cooked farro. And no-bake protein ball prep duration is significantly shorter if you start with pre-cooked farro, which I used in this recipe. I ended up with 12 protein balls, but the actual amount will depend on the size of each ball. I opted for the medium-sized balls, an excellent snack portion that is great with a piece of fruit.
Easy No-Bake Protein Balls with Peanut Butter and Farro Ingredients
To make no-bake protein balls you will need:
- 1 cup farro – I used pre-cooked farro.
- 1/2 cup walnuts – ground walnuts are best in this recipe.
- 2 tsp flaxseed.
- 2 tbsp peanut butter – creamy peanut butter goes better than chunky, but both can be used interchangeably. If you want to avoid peanut butter, you can use almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- 3 tbsp honey – you can also use maple syrup or any other liquid sweetener and adjust the amount per your taste.
- 30 g dark chocolate – I typically shred the chocolate with a knife (see video). Instead of dark chocolate, you could use milk chocolate. Or you can skip shredding the chocolate and use mini dark chocolate chips.
- Coconut – for coating.
How to Prepare No-Bake Protein Balls
Time needed: 35 minutes
This is for 12 protein balls, but the actual amount will depend on the size of each ball. I opted for the medium-sized balls.
- Step 1
Cook farro according to the package instruction. If you start with pre-cooked farro, the package says to cook for about 10 minutes. I extended the cooking time to about 25 minutes on medium with the frequent addition of water and mixing to end up with very soft-cooked wheat that is easy to pulse in a food processor. Drain the water and let it cool.
- Step 2
Place cooked farro in a food processor with a steel blade. Pulse until most of the farro is broken. Transfer into a large bowl.
- Step 3
Add ground walnuts and flaxseed.
- Step 4
Add vanilla extract, honey, and peanut butter.
- Step 5
On a wooden board, shred dark chocolate with a knife into small pieces, and add it to the bowl with other ingredients.
- Step 6
Mix well with a spatula, or use your hands to work the mixture.
- Step 7
Form medium-sized balls and coat them with unsweetened shredded coconut. Refrigerate for up to 1 hr.
These no-bake peanut butter energy bites can be stored in an air-tight container or in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They will most likely not last that long because they are delicious!
Yes, they are! Only be aware of one thing. My little guys didn’t like that it had dark chocolate in it. So, it is ok to use milk chocolate instead, even though dark chocolate is the healthier option.
These little snacks pack a decent punch when it comes to nutrition – each ball contains around 3 grams of protein. They’re also high in fiber thanks to the walnuts and healthy fats from the peanut butter.
If you like this no-bake protein energy bites recipe, here are some other healthy recipes to try:
- Banana Chia Pudding
- Easy Homemade Granola Bars (No Peanut Butter)
- Best Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
- Easy Healthy Yogurt Breakfast Ideas (Benefits of Breakfast)
- Easy Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Fruit
No-Bake Protein Balls with Peanut Butter and Farro
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro dry, pre-cooked
- 1/2 cup walnuts ground
- 2 tsp flaxseed
- 2 tbsp peanut butter creamy
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 oz dark chocolate shredded
- coconut for coating
Instructions
- Cook farro according to the package instruction. If you start with pre-cooked farro, the package says to cook for about 10 minutes. I extended the cooking time to about 25 minutes on medium with the frequent addition of water and mixing to end up with very soft-cooked wheat that is easy to pulse in a food processor. Drain the water and let it cool.
- Place cooked farro in a food processor with a steel blade. Pulse until most of the farro is broken. Transfer into a large bowl.
- Add ground walnuts and flaxseed.
- Add vanilla extract, honey, and peanut butter.
- On a wooden board, shred dark chocolate with a knife into small pieces, and add it to the bowl with other ingredients.
- Mix well with a spatula, or use your hands to work the mixture.
- Form medium-sized balls and coat them with unsweetened shredded coconut. Refrigerate for up to 1 hr.
- These no-bake peanut butter energy bites can be stored in an air-tight container or in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for the serving of 1 ball. It will vary based on the specific ingredients used.
- Farro – I used pre-cooked Farro.
- Walnuts – ground walnuts are best in this recipe.
- Peanut butter – creamy peanut butter goes better than chunky, but both can be used interchangeably. To avoid peanut butter, you can use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Honey – you can also use maple syrup or any other liquid sweetener and adjust the amount per your taste.
- Dark chocolate – I typically shred the chocolate with a knife (see video). Instead of dark chocolate, you could use milk chocolate. Or you can skip shredding the chocolate and use mini dark chocolate chips.
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