Chewy Peanut Butter Protein Bites

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If you’re looking for a delicious homemade hiking snack idea, these peanut butter protein bites are perfect! I love making my own hiking snacks. It’s a great way to control the quality of ingredients and give yourself some variety.

Chewy peanut butter protein bites make the perfect hiking snack

These protein energy bites are not just hiking snacks. They also make a great snack for those busy days at home or at work!

These energy bites are:

  • sweet and chewy
  • loaded with peanut butter flavor
  • simple to make
  • easy to pack for a hike
  • full of protein
  • really satisfying

What more do you need? Let’s dive into the recipe!

Peanut Butter Protein Ball Ingredients

Ingredients for chewy peanut butter protein balls recipe

The ingredients for this recipe are few and simple!

  • Brown Rice Syrup – This is the source of sweetness in this recipe. I love using brown rice syrup because it’s thick and it has a delicious caramel-like flavor. DO NOT substitute maple syrup instead. It’s not thick enough. I think honey would work, but I haven’t tested it yet.
  • Peanut Butter – Use unsweetened salted peanut butter in this recipe. I always buy the “natural” kind that only has peanuts and salt as the ingredients. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter can be used.
  • Vanilla Protein Powder – I use a whey protein powder, but I think most other kinds of protein powder would also work. Just make sure you like the taste of it. I use the Just Ingredients Vanilla Protein Powder.
  • Chocolate Chips – I don’t think these protein bites would be complete without a little chocolate to go along with all that peanut butter!
  • Rice Crisp Cereal – This adds a little bit of crunch to the protein bites! Make sure you get the rice crisp cereal (like you would use for rice crispy treats), not puffed rice.
  • Collagen Peptides Powder (optional) This last ingredient is totally optional. If you happen to have collagen powder, you can add a scoop to the batter to add even more protein. I use this one by Vital Proteins.
Peanut butter protein balls recipe makes the perfect hiking snack

How to Make Protein Bites for a Hiking Snack

While this protein bite recipe is incredibly easy, it does require a food processor.

Add all of the ingredients except the rice crisp cereal into the food processor.

Pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly.

Adding the ingredients to the food processor

You might need to stop and use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the processor to make sure everything gets incorporated.

Once a crumbly dough has formed, you’re ready for the next step

Once the crumbly dough has formed, add in the rice crisp cereal and pulse a few more times to mix.

Use your hands to roll the dough into 12 bite-sized balls.

Store in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge. These should stay fresh for about 3-4 days… if they last that long!

These high protein peanut butter energy bites make the perfect hiking snack

Chewy Peanut Butter Protein Bites

Chewy peanut butter protein bites are the perfect homemade hiking snack!
Print Recipe
Prep Time:10 mins
Total Time:10 mins

Ingredients

  • cup brown rice syrup*
  • cup unsweetened salted peanut butter crunchy or smooth
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder about 30 grams, I use Whey**
  • 2 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • cup rice crisp cereal
  • 1 scoop collagen peptides powder optional

Instructions

  • Put all of the ingredients except the rice crisp cereal into a food processor.
  • Pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly. You might need to stop and use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the processor to make sure everything gets incorporated.
  • Once the crumbly dough has formed, add in the rice crisp cereal and pulse a few more times to mix.
  • Use your hands to roll the dough into 12 bite-sized balls.
  • Store in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge. These should stay fresh for about 3-4 days… if they last that long!

Notes

*Brown rice syrup really does work best in this recipe. Do not substitute maple syrup, it’s not thick enough. I think honey would work instead, but I haven’t tested it.
**I’ve only tested this recipe with a plain vanilla whey protein powder, but I think most types of protein powder would work.
Servings: 12 energy bites
Taking homemade protein balls on a hike for a quick snack
Peanut butter chocolate chip protein energy bites for an on-the-go snack

More Homemade Hiking Snack Ideas

For even more delicious hiking snack ideas, check out these blog posts:

If you have any questions, ask me in the comments below!

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