These no-bake Cashew Butter Protein Balls are a filling and convenient snack that are perfect post-workout, during the workday, or whenever you need to crush your cravings!

Let’s face it: sometimes, snacks are better than the actual meal. When I get my hands on pineapple salsa with chips and/or chickpea cookie dough, it’s hard to stop! My appetite is constantly being ruined by delicious snacks.

These Cashew Butter Protein Balls are an extra special healthy snack because they’re so easy to make and eat! Roll ‘em up, keep them in your fridge or freezer, and grab one whenever you’re feeling hungry (or craving creamy and smooth cashew butter). Energy balls rarely last long in my house because they’re just so convenient!

Recipe features

• Energy bites are really easy to transport. Throw some in your gym bag for a quick dose of protein post-workout.
• The short list of ingredients is really flexible and shelf-stable, making them a staple for Sunday meal prep.
• They’ll keep you full throughout the day and are the perfect afternoon snack.

Ingredient notes:

• Cashew butter – Cashew butter is the often neglected cousin in the nut butter family and I’m not sure why! It’s completely addicting, a delicious source of healthy fats and magnesium, and incredibly creamy. I buy my cashew butter from Trader Joe’s but it should be easy to find at most major grocery stores and is even easy to make at home.

• Protein powder – Any flavor will work.

• Rolled oats – Quick oats work too! Make sure they’re certified gluten free if you need the protein bites to be gluten free.

• Honey – The natural sweetness will help balance the salty and savory flavors while giving the dough a sturdy texture.

• Chia seeds/flaxseed – This recipe calls for both because they’re full of omega-3’s and fiber, but you can always just one or the other if you prefer.

• Almond milk – Or any dairy free milk you like, such as cashew milk or oat milk.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Stir everything together. Stir the cashew butter and honey together in a large bowl. Next, add the protein powder, chia seeds, oats, and flaxseed.

Step 2: Thin it out. The mixture will be thick, so thin it out with 1 tablespoon of plant milk at a time. The finished dough should be thick but easy to roll into balls.

Step 3: Form the protein balls. Use your hands to roll the dough into about 24 protein balls. Leave them as-is or sprinkle a little cinnamon or sea salt on top. 

Step 4: Enjoy or store for later. Enjoy the balls right away or store them in the fridge or freezer for later.

Expert tips and FAQs

• The number of balls this recipe makes will depend on how large you make them. I ended up with 24 golf ball-sized protein balls.
• You may end up not using any milk — the texture mostly depends on the kind of cashew butter (or any nut butter) that you use. Only use milk if the final mixture seems too thick to roll.
• Add more into the protein ball mixture, like chocolate chips, shredded coconut, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or vanilla extract.
• Give the balls an extra layer of flavor with a sprinkle of cinnamon, sea salt, pumpkin pie spice, or a chocolate drizzle on top. My peanut butter balls always taste extra sweet when chocolate is added!

Can you use a different kind of nut butter?

Yes, however, I only tested this recipe with cashew butter. Keep in mind that other kinds of nut butters wil have different textures and tastes. Adjust the other ingredients accordingly if you try this recipe with peanut butter, almond butter, or nut free seed butters.

Are cashew butter balls vegan?

The honey is necessary for the structure of the protein balls, meaning they aren’t vegan-friendly. You can try using maple syrup instead of honey but take note of my recommendations below first.

Can you substitute honey with maple syrup?

I don’t recommend using maple syrup because the mixture won’t hold together quite as well. If you’re vegan or don’t have honey, you can try using maple syrup instead but you’ll need to adjust the measurements of a few of the other ingredients.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Once they’re rolled, place the protein balls in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 10 days.
• Freezer: Place the balls in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

More protein-packed snacks

• Almond Butter Protein Bars
• Coffee Overnight Oats
• Cinnamon Roll Protein Smoothie

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!

UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in September 2015. It was updated with new text and photos in January 2022.