Made with sweet and colorful chocolate candies and just the right amount of peanut butter flavor, this monster cookie protein ball recipe is the perfect, easy snack. They pack in 5g of protein per ball (which is 10 per serving because you can't just eat one!). These protein balls are super kid-friendly and if your family is anything like mine, will devour them within a few days!
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monster cookie protein ball highlights
- There's no blender or food processor required thanks to almond flour.
- Lots of natural protein (thanks to the almond flour again!)
- No baking makes them ideal for quick meal prep or summer days spent outside on the go.
Protein balls are something we're pretty passionate about. They are no bake, easy, healthier sweet snack that we can reach for when it's 3pm and I'm raiding the fridge.
They are also perfect for taking on the go for whatever adventure the day holds. Going to the park? Grab a few. Going to work at a coffee shop? Grab a few.
And the best part, they taste like a straight cookie!! Dan was skeptical of the idea, just like he was of my chocolate peppermint protein balls and protein balls without protein powder. Dan's more of a Biscoff protein ball guy.
But, as I expected, he then requested I make these monster cookie protein balls regularly. Guess I'll have to make double because if he likes them then that's less for me...
recipe ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this m & m protein ball recipe.
notes & substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See recipe card for quantities.
- The cashew butter: Some people make monster cookies with all peanut butter so you can use almond butter or peanut butter in place of cashew butter. However, I found the peanut butter flavor too strong if using actual peanut butter.
- Maple syrup: Feel free to use honey or agave.
- The candy: I used Unreal chocolate coated candy to keep the protein balls a little less sweet, but of course, regular m & m's are great too. For the chocolate chips, I also recommend mini chips for energy bites because they stay in the ball better. You can also leave out one or both of the candies.
- Make it festive: You can use seasonal m & m's to match these protein balls to the holidays (Easter, 4th of July, Christmas, a baby shower, etc).
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
how to make it
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe!
- Mix everything in a bowl, except the candies.
- Add in the candies.
- Shape into 1.5"-2" balls and place on a lined tray.
- Flash freeze them for 15 minutes, then store in the fridge.
quick recipe video
helpful tips
- Add milk as needed: Depending on how drippy your cashew butter is, you will need more milk. So, add 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough reaches a Playdough like consistency.
- If you want them sweeter: You can add more maple syrup (up to 4 tbsp) to make these sweeter. But, if you do this, I would wait to add the milk until everything else is mixed together.
- Use a hand mixer: This seriously makes it SO much easier to mix the batter since cashew butter is so sticky.
- Use a cookie scoop: If you have one, a cookie scoop is the perfect size to make energy bites with. It's also helpful to get it wet so the mixture doesn't stick in the lever release inside the scoop.
how to make monster cookie protein balls without protein powder
If you want to make these without protein powder, you totally can! Here's what you do:
- Swap out the protein powder for half peanut butter powder and half almond flour.
- Mix everything together, adding more milk as needed. That's it!
common questions
Yes, you can definitely freeze them and that's what I like to do for the summer! But, it does make them a bit hard to bite so for kids, I would keep these in the fridge.
Totally! This will save a bit fo time too because you just press the batter into a lined pan, freeze, and cut. No shaping or rolling.
Yes, I love to double or triple a batch and then freeze half of them. This saves on clean up and keeps our snack supply stocked!
how to store them
fridge
These balls can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week (if you don't eat them all beforehand!).
frozen
You can freeze these energy bites for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag.
make a full snack tray
I love making and serving a snack board with lots of tasty bites. Here's what I would pair with these monster cookie protein balls.
Recipe
Monster Cookie Protein Balls (no blending required!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¾ cup cashew butter (other nut butters will work)
- ½ c vanilla protein powder (whey dairy free, or vegan is fine)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter powder (see notes if you don't have this)
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup (see notes for more sweetness)
- ¼ c milk (add more as needed to bring dough together)
- ¼ c M and m’s
- ¼ c Mini chocolate chips
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Line a large tray or cutting board with parchment paper.Mix together the ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup almond flour, ¾ cup cashew butter, ½ c vanilla protein powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoon peanut butter powder, and 2 tablespoon maple syrup using a hand mixer.
- Slowly add the ¼ c milk until a playdough like consistency forms. Add more 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to bring the dough together.
- Mix in the ¼ c M and m’s and ¼ c Mini chocolate chips. Then shape into balls using a spoon or cookie scoop. Place them on the prepared tray. Freeze them for 15 minutes then transfer to an air tight container.Store in the fridge for up to a week or freezer for 3 months.
Video
Notes
- Add milk as needed: Depending on how drippy your cashew butter is, you will need more milk. So, add 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough reaches a Playdough like consistency.
- If you want them sweeter: You can add more maple syrup (up to 4 tbsp) to make these sweeter. But, if you do this, I would wait to add the milk until everything else is mixed together.
- Use a hand mixer: This seriously makes it SO much easier to mix the batter since cashew butter is so sticky.
- Use a cookie scoop: If you have one, a cookie scoop is the perfect size to make energy bites with. It's also helpful to get it wet so the mixture doesn't stick in the lever release inside the scoop.
- Swap out the protein powder for half peanut butter powder and half almond flour.
- Mix everything together, adding more milk as needed. That's it!
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
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