Birthday Cake Protein Balls

Looking for a quick and simple way to satisfy your sweet tooth and get a boost of protein? These easy no bake birthday cake protein balls are the perfect healthy snack option! Whip up a batch in minutes and enjoy the delicious and energizing benefits.

I am always looking for fun new snacks for my kiddos that are healthy and delicious. I love to have these cake batter energy balls ready for them when they get home from school or as a fun surprise in their lunch box. They taste just like a bite of birthday cake!

Ingredients for Cake Batter Protein Balls

I always like to see a quick overview of the ingredients in a recipe before I get into the details, so here is a quick glance of what you’ll need for this protein balls recipe. We love all the wholesome ingredients…

• Cashew Butter: can be store bought or made at home from whole cashews
• Honey: acts as a natural sweetener
• Vanilla or Cake Batter Protein Powder: grab any brand that is your favorite
• Oat Flour: you can buy it at the store or make your own from old fashioned oats (see section below)
• Almond Extract: adds that signature birthday cake flavor
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor
• Sprinkles: Makes the protein bites so fun for the kiddos and the crunchy texture they add are so dang satisfying!

The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. The recipe is easily scalable to make more protein energy balls if desired.

How to Make No Bake Protein Balls

1. Mix: Add all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined.
2. Form: Use a cookie scoop to form balls out of the mixture and roll the balls in more sprinkles if desired.

The complete recipe can be found in the recipe card down below.

How to Make Cashew Butter

Whole cashews can be made into cashew butter by pulsing them in a food processor or by blending in a blender. If you want to make 1 cup of cashew butter, you will need 2 cups of whole cashews. Cashew butter has a more neutral flavor that really lets the cake batter flavored protein powder shine.

How to Make Oat Flour

It is super easy to make oat flour at home using old fashioned rolled oats. You can use a 1:1 ratio, meaning if you need 1 cup of oat flour, you need to use 1 cup of old fashioned oats. Use a food processor or blender to pulse the oats until they are powder.

My Favorite Protein Powder

If you go with vanilla protein powder, any brand will do. If you want more of that cake batter flavor, Just Ingredients and Clean Simple Eats both have cake batter flavored protein powder that are both really tasty.

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Protein No Bake Chocolate Energy Bites

Boost your energy levels with these delicious and nutritious protein no bake chocolate energy bites, packed with protein to keep you going throughout the day. Perfect for a quick and easy snack on the go!

These no bake chocolate protein bites save me during those afternoon crashes when you’re wanting a a treat but need a healthy snack!

I am the biggest snacker ever. I’ve said it a gazillion times on the blog and Cade can totally vouch for me, (in fact he’s totally the same way). It’s why we’ve posted so many snack recipes like Aussie Bites, our favorite granola, sweet and salty caramel chocolate banana trail mix, protein monster bites or out copycat Kudos bars. Snacking actually is not a bad habit like some may assume. It’s good to keep your metabolism going and your hunger at bay by frequently eating small amounts.

So many skip a meal or snacks trying to lose weight and all they are doing is telling their bodies to hold onto every calorie possible because your body knows you’re going to make it wait to eat. The only hard part is deciding what to eat. These protein no bake oatmeal energy bites are one of our solutions.

Protein No Bake Chocolate Energy Bites

A long time ago my cute friend, Ali posted these awesome energy bites that went completely wild on Pinterest. Everyone loves them! They are a great little snack and you don’t have to feel guilty as if you’d baked up some mozzarella sticks or something. Wait, did she just throw mozzarella sticks out there as a snack? Pretty much. But don’t worry, I’ve given up that Jr. High habit.  Although now that we are talking about them, gosh dang that sounds good!

Ok, focus, girl, focus.

What are Energy Bites or Balls?

These are little balls with extra protein, and a little dose of calories that your body needs to keep you going during the day. Most are made with a nut butter like almond or peanut butter, oats and whatever flavors you desire. Ours are made with protein powder in addition to the other things.

Ingredients for Protein Chocolate Protein Bites

A healthy snack is just 6 ingredients away! Here is everything that you will need:

• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: don’t use quick oats because they don’t hold up well
• Almond Butter: substitute with peanut butter or any other nut butter
• Honey: adds natural swe

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Baked Oatmeal Mug Cake

Oatmeal mug cake loaded with peanut butter and chocolate chips…for an excuse to eat cake for breakfast, look no further!

Over the years, I have learned that I feel so much better throughout the day if I start with a high protein breakfast. I joined the baked oatmeal trend and have been obsessed with trying different combinations of flavors. It’s no surprise that peanut butter and chocolate was a combo that had to make it on the blog.

This mug cake is loaded with 34 grams of protein and is a hearty (and outrageously delicious) way to start the day! And just for the memories, this mug cake recipe and our chocolate chip cookie version pretty much saved my life after the bike crash. I couldn’t eat normally for so long, and these mug cakes were the perfect way to get loads of protein.

Ingredients in Peanut Butter Choc Chip Mug Cake

These ingredients are so simple and likely ones that you’ll already have at home which is always a winner! This is meant to just be an overview of the ingredients needed. For all the details and full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Banana: adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake
• Peanut Butter: adds flavor and protein
• Egg: helps with the structure of the cake and adds more protein
• Oats: go with old fashioned oats or quick oats
  • NOTE: Steel cut oats will not work in this recipe
• Protein Powder: we have been using vanilla but I’m sure it would be great with chocolate or peanut butter protein powder too
• Milk: any type of milk will work, use almond milk and make it dairy free!
• Baking Powder: gives the cake some rise and fluffiness
• Salt: enhances all the flavors
• Mini Chocolate Chips: you can mix these in or just sprinkle them on top after baking
• Peanut Butter Chips: totally optional but they are a delicious addition

Substitutions

If you aren’t down with using bananas in your mug cake, here are few ideas for substitutes:

• Applesauce
• Zucchini
• Apple Butter
• Yogurt
• Canned Pumpkin

You’ll want to use about 1/4 – 1/3 cup of these.

Possible Variations

Skip the chocolate chips and add a dollop of jam on top. It will be like eating a breakfast pb & j.

Add chopped peanuts for more peanut flavor and added crunch.

Slice up some bananas and add them on top.

Add flaxseeds or chia seeds for even more added nutrition.

Drizzle with caramel or top with a scoop of ice cream. Ok, this may have entered the dessert zone, but it just feels right!

What to Eat with a Mug Cake

Protein Chocolate Chip Cookie Baked Oatmeal in a Mug

If you want a simple and delicious high protein breakfast (27g!) that tastes like a chocolate chip cookie, then you have to try this protein chocolate chip cookie baked oatmeal in a mug!

I’ve seen the recipes for oatmeal in a mug, aka mug cake, a slightly healthier mug cake, haha, but I wasn’t loving a lot of the recipes. It turns out that they all had a piece of a puzzle and merely needed to all be put together! This healthy baked oatmeal in a mug has a little protein powder which gives extra flavor and nutrients without overcomplicating the recipe.

Whenever we have a busy day or I’m not in the mood to cook I’ll make a little baked oatmeal and let the family pick out their toppings. It’s like pancake night, but less sugar!

Speaking of, if you want to go all crazy with this protein breakfast recipe you can totally mix up the flavors and add-ins (see ideas below).

Ingredients for Baked Oatmeal in a Mug

Here is a brief overview of the ingredients needed for blended baked oats. This is meant to be a quick snippet of what is included. For all the details, scroll down to the recipe card.

• Banana: adds natural sweetness and moisture
• Egg: binds all the ingredients together
• Oats: You can use old fashioned oats or quick oats since you blend it up. I prefer old fashioned because it’s been processed less. You could also use oat flour if you prefer (since that’s what we are making when we blend these oats up). Use a scant 1/2 cup of oat flour. NOTE: Steel cut oats will not work for this recipe.
• Protein Powder: You can use any flavor you want. Vanilla is my favorite for that true chocolate chip cookie flavor. We have been using coconut flavored protein powder lately which is also yummy because that’s what we have right now.
• Milk: any type of milk works great…whole, 2%, 1%, fat free, almond milk, oat milk, etc.
• Baking Powder: gives the mug cake some rise and fluffiness
• Salt: enhances all the flavors

Substitutes for Banana

I know that there are strong feelings about bananas out there, so if you aren’t a banana fan or you don’t have any, here are few ideas for substitutes:

• Applesauce
• Zucchini
• Apple Butter
• Yogurt
• Canned Pumpkin

You’ll want to use about 1/4 – 1/3 cup of these.

Ideas for Toppings and Mix-Ins

You don’t have to stop at chocolate chip cookie flavor! The possibilities are endless! You can change the flavor of protein powder you use as well as the toppings or mix-ins you add. Here are a few ideas to customize your own baked oatmeal in a mug…

• Chopped nuts – pecans, almonds, walnuts, etc.
• Nutella
• Caramel
• Granola
• Yogurt
• Chopped fruit
• Nut butter – peanut butter, almond butter, etc.
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