Chickpea Protein Balls are a healthy snack that checks all the boxes for busy days. These no bake bites are easy to make and a great make ahead option to keep on hand for lunchboxes, after school snacks, or a quick grab and go bite. This recipe is family approved, which makes it a total win.
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This post was originally published on 7/24/2020 and updated on 1/15/2026.
I have spent years developing and testing recipes that real families actually eat, pulling from both my restaurant kitchen experience and decades of scratch cooking at home. Every recipe on my site, including these Chickpea Protein Balls, is tested multiple times in my own kitchen and taste tested by my family to make sure it is practical, dependable, and delicious. I focus on simple methods and balanced flavors so you can feel confident making recipes like this one!
Why We Love These Chickpea Peanut Butter Balls
- A healthy snack option that still feels fun and satisfying.
- Family friendly and kid approved.
- Great make ahead recipe to keep in the fridge or freezer.
- Perfect for lunchboxes, after school snacks, or quick bites between meals.
- Made with simple, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about.
- No bake and easy to put together.
- A protein packed option that helps keep you full longer.
Chickpea Protein Balls Recipe Ingredients
- Canned Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Honey
- Vanilla Protein Powder
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Mini Chocolate Chips
Substitution Suggestions
- Chickpeas: I like to use canned chickpeas. It makes the recipe so much easier and faster to make. Make sure you buy ones that don't have any additional ingredients added. It should just be chickpeas (garbanzo beans), water and salt.
- Peanut Butter: I like to use a natural creamy peanut butter that doesn't have too much sugar added to it. Use your favorite peanut butter. You can use crunchy peanut butter for some more texture too.
- Honey: Another liquid sweetener like maple syrup or agave will work. We like the taste of honey the best.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: Use what you would drink that way you know you like the taste. It can be whey, soy, pea protein/vegan or whichever you like best. If you want more chocolate flavor you can use a chocolate protein powder.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: I suggest only using pure vanilla extract for this recipe since it is a no bake recipe. The imitation extracts can leave an unpleasant after taste.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: The mini chips hold together best in these little bites. You can use your favorite chocolate. Dark chocolate would be delicious in these! If you can't find mini chips in dark chocolate you can use a dark chocolate bar and chop it up finely.
How to Make Chickpea Peanut Butter Balls
- First, add the drained and rinsed chickpeas to the food processor and pulse until the beans start to become a paste.
- Next, add the remaining ingredients: peanut butter, honey, protein powder and vanilla extract and pulse until smooth and starts to form a ball. Mix will be thick.
- Then scrape the mix into a bowl and stir in the mini chocolate chips.
- Now, use a medium cookie scoop or 2 level tablespoons to portion bites, then roll into balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. This recipe will make approximately 20 snack size balls.
- Place in fridge to chill for at least an a hour.
If you love easy snacks like these don't miss my recipes for Monster Cookie Protein Balls and Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls.
Storing Chickpea Energy Balls
Freezing: I like to store my bites in the freezer in a zip top bag, that way I won't eat the whole batch in one day. Place the sheet pan of energy balls in the freezer for a couple hours then transfer to a freezer bag, label and date. Freeze for up to 4 months. Let thaw for 10-15 minutes before eating.
Storing: You can also store them in an air tight container or zip top bag in the fridge as well. They will last a week in the fridge, if they even make it that long!
Heather's Favorite Tools for this Recipe
- I love my Cuisinart food processor.
- Long ago, I used to be a Pampered Chef consultant and I still prefer their baking tools and pans to any others. I like their baking sheets best, but these aluminum sheet pans from Nordic Ware are a great option too.
- A medium sized cookie scoop that holds about 2 tablespoons is great for these protein balls. Again I use the pampered chef one but this medium scoop from OXO on Amazon is a great one.
- Pre-cut parchment paper is a life saver and so easy. No cutting my fingers!
- Or this silicone baking mat is great for these energy balls too!
Tips for Chickpea Protein Balls
- Make sure the chickpeas are completely smooth before adding the other ingredients. The protein balls can be a little grainy if you don't process the chickpeas long enough.
- If possible, use mini versions of the chocolate chips. The bites will hold together better.
- Make ahead and store in the fridge for the week.
- Make a double batch and freeze so you always have some on hand!
- If you want smaller balls you can use a small cookie scoop that holds about a tablespoon. They are the perfect size for a one bite snack!
More Healthy Snack Recipes:
- Air Fryer Chickpeas
- Peanut Butter Apple Sandwiches
- Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Squares
- Chocolate Mini Donuts
Chickpea Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 15 oz can chickpeas, (or called garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
- ½ cup creamy natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add drained and rinsed chickpeas to a food processor and process until they make a paste.
- Add peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and protein powder. Pulse until the mix is smooth and starts to form a ball, it will be thick.
- Place the mixture in a bowl and stir in the chocolate chips.
- Place sheet pan in fridge to chill for an hour.
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