Monster Cookie Protein Balls

These delicious monster cookie protein balls are one of my kids’ most requested snacks! They taste just like my favorite monster cookies, but they’re a quick and easy snack to make (10 minutes tops!) and are low in calories and high in protein. It’s the perfect snack for when you’re on the go. I love love love this recipe, and I think you will too!

This monster cookie protein ball recipe is the latest addition to my collection of cookie dough protein balls — fun and healthy little no-bake protein balls that taste like cookie dough! Because I have a major sweet tooth, but eating cookies all the time doesn’t make me feel great. After you try these monster cookie protein bites, make my oatmeal raisin and snickerdoodle versions.

Why This Recipe Works

• A quick snack that’s easy to make. No fancy equipment needed. Just put all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix! Seriously, these take 10 minutes to put together. Plus, it’s a delicious snack the whole family will love!
• High in protein and low in calories. It’s important for me and my family to eat food that helps us feel good. These monster cookie protein balls are delicious treats, but they also provide a hit of protein to help us feel full and give us energy. Not that my kids need more energy, but I certainly need energy to keep up with them!

Ingredient Notes

• Old-fashioned oats: Oatmeal is a critical part of a classic monster cookie, so naturally it makes an appearance in these monster cookie balls. I prefer to use rolled oats rather than quick oats because rolled oats provide more chewiness. Plus, oats are a great source of fiber and energy!
• Peanut butter: Another crucial part of monster cookies, peanut butter also provides additional protein and heart-healthy fats that help you feel full. I use creamy peanut butter, but you can use crunchy peanut butter if that’s your preference. 
• Chocolate protein powder: This is where the biggest hit of protein comes in, of course. I think the combination of chocolate and peanut butter gives this monster cookie protein ball recipe a great taste, but you could easily use vanilla protein powder or something like PB Fit. You can also use cocoa powder, but then these balls won’t have as much protein.
• Mini M&Ms: M&Ms are such a fun, colorful addition to monster cookies. The mini version is perfect for these bite-size protein balls, and makes them an even more fun snack for my kids! If you can’t find mini M&Ms, you can add additional mini chocolate chips.
• Honey: To add some additional sweetness and help these balls stick together. You can substitute another liquid sweetener if you prefer. 
• Mini chocolate chips: Listen, I love chocolate. Of course I’m going to put additional chocolate chips. I recommend using mini chocolate chips because they work better for a small bite-size snack. Regular-sized chocolate chips make it more difficult to make a smaller ball, and they don’t distribute as evenly. 
• Water: To help these monster cookie balls come together.

Step-by-Step Ingredients

1. Add all ingredients to a bowl. In a medium bowl, add 1 cup old old-fashioned oats, ½ cup of peanut butter, ⅓ cup chocolate protein powder, ¼ cup mini M&Ms, 3 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips, and 1 tablespoon of water. 
2. Mix. Use a spoon to mix all the ingredients together until they’re evenly combined. Because some of the ingredients are thick and sticky, this may take a bit. 
3. Portion into balls. Use a small cookie scoop or your hands to portion out the protein ball mixture. I used a 2 tsp cookie scoop and got 22 balls out of this recipe. Place portioned monster cookie balls onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. 
4. Chill and serve. Pop the baking sheet of monster cookie protein balls into the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This helps make them less sticky and easier to eat. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

While these protein cookie dough balls are safe to store at room temperature, they will last longer in the fridge. Keeping them chilled also helps them be less sticky. 

Feel free to use your preferred flavor of protein powder. I love a strong chocolate flavor, which is why I use chocolate protein powder, but vanilla protein powder will work as well. You can also use PB Fit or even regular cocoa powder, but this will change the protein content. 

I don’t recommend using natural peanut butter, as it tends to be a lot more liquid. 

If you can’t find mini M&Ms, just use additional mini chocolate chips. If you can’t find mini chocolate chips, chop up a chocolate bar or regular chocolate chips into small pieces. 

To make these for someone with a peanut allergy, simply swap peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. 

You can add addition mix-ins like ground flaxseed or chia seeds, but you may need to add more water or honey to make the protein balls stick together.

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

Make Ahead: These protein cookie dough balls last for several days, so you can make them at the beginning of the week and have a snack ready to go all week—if they last that long!

Storing: Store leftover monster cookie balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing: Yes, monster cookie protein balls can be frozen! Once they’ve chilled in the fridge and are no longer sticky, you can put them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months. Eat them frozen, or let them thaw on the counter for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.

Recipe FAQs

More Bite-Size Snack Bites

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
• Pumpkin Energy Balls
• German Chocolate Cake Protein Balls
• Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
• Almond Joy Protein Balls
• No Bake Energy Bites