These Cranberry White Chocolate Protein Balls taste like a treat, but they are full of healthy things like oats, almond butter, and protein powder.

I make a batch on Sunday and store them in the fridge all week so I can grab one quickly.

You only need one bowl, no baking, and about ten minutes. Let’s get this done!

Ingredients

• 1 cup of rolled oats
• 1/2 cup of smooth, stirred natural almond butter
• 1/3 cup of honey
• 1/4 cup of vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, chopped up roughly
• 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A little bit of salt

Tools Needed

• Bowl for mixing
• Spoon or spatula
• Spoons and cups for measuring
• Small cookie scoop (not required, but helpful)
• Container that won’t let air in for storage

Instructions

1. Put 1/2 cup of smooth almond butter, 1/3 cup of honey, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a bowl. Mix until everything is well combined.
2. Put 1 cup of rolled oats, 1/4 cup of vanilla protein powder, and a pinch of salt in the bowl. Mix everything together until it’s all covered.
3. Mix in 1/4 cup of chopped dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips. Gently mix in.

4. Use your hands or a cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture and roll it into 12 balls.
5. Put the balls in the fridge for at least 10 minutes to let them set.

You can make these up to a week ahead of time and keep them in the fridge. Or put it in the freezer for up to two months. They thaw out in 10 to 15 minutes!

Put it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Or put it in a zip-top bag and freeze it for up to two months.
Before eating, let the frozen ones sit out for 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Coffee that is hot or cold
• Fresh fruit, like sliced apples and berries
• A smoothie made with banana, almond milk, and spinach is great!

Substitutions & Tips

• Almond butter can be replaced with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter.
• Agave or maple syrup instead of honey
• Cranberries → Chopped dates or raisins
• White chocolate chips can be replaced with dark chocolate or mini M&Ms.
• Vanilla protein works, but so does chocolate protein.

Troubleshooting

• If your almond butter is too hard, microwave it for 10 seconds to make it easier to mix.
• Too much dry stuff: If the mix is falling apart, add a teaspoon of water or more honey.
• If you don’t let them chill, they’ll be too soft. Putting them in the fridge for 10 minutes makes them firmer.
• Overmixing the chocolate chips: If you stir too much while the mix is still warm, the chips will melt.

FAQ

• Can I skip the protein powder?
  Yes! To make the texture even, just add two more tablespoons of oats.
• Can I use oats that cook quickly?
  You can, but the texture will be a little softer. Rolled oats have a better bite.
• Should I melt the almond butter?
  Only if it’s thick. You want it to be smooth and easy to stir.
• Is it okay to double the recipe?
  Of course! Just use a bigger bowl!

Nutrition & Benefits

• Macros (12 balls per ball):
  • 120 calories
  • 5 grams of protein
  • 14g of carbs
  • 6 grams of fat
  • 2g of fiber
  • 8 grams of sugar

This one is personal. When I got sick of protein bars that tasted like cardboard, I started making my own. They taste sweet, but they also have protein and fiber. This is why I always have them in my fridge:

• No baking, ready in 10 minutes
• Less cleanup with just one bowl
• Soft and chewy with a naturally sweet taste
• You can easily change it to fit what you have.
• Great for that 3PM or mid-morning slump

To stay together, protein balls need just the right amount of sticky (almond butter and honey) and dry (oats and protein powder). You don’t have to cook anything to make the almond butter and honey stick together. The oats help soak up moisture, and the protein powder gives the food more body and texture. Adding a little salt and vanilla makes it taste sweeter.

• A snack with coffee in the middle of the morning
• A banana after working out
• Dessert that is good for you when you want something sweet
• A smoothie for breakfast on the go

That’s it! These protein balls with cranberries and white chocolate are sweet, chewy, and filling. Great for days when you’re busy or need a boost. Try them out and then leave a comment to tell me how it went or if you tried any fun twists!