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Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls

January 16, 2020      Sarah Van Wagenen

Protein Balls

Our family loves to eat and we love good food. These quick and easy protein cookie dough balls are an absolute favorite in our home. I try to make these on a regular basis. They’re healthy, filling, easy for on-the-go snacking, and they taste so good! Over the years, I’ve tried several different versions of the basic protein ball. I finally landed on a combination of ingredients that’s perfect!

My biggest secret is to ground up the oats into a coarse oat flour. Almost all protein ball recipes call for oats, and once all I had was some oat flour. The texture of that batch was just like cookie dough, so smooth and yummy. Needless to say, we’ve made them the same way since that discovery.

Check out the simple recipe below for details.

Protein Balls

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Servings: 24
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 c oats (I like to put the oats in the blender for coarse oat flour)
  • 1 c peanut butter
  • 2/3 c honey
  • 1 c coconut flakes
  • 1/2 c ground flaxseed
  • 1 c chocolate chips
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (optional; I like to use the Orgain, Organic Protein Powder)

Method
 

  1. Start by measuring the oats into the blender and blending them into oat flour. You don't have to blend the oats, I like doing this to make the texture more like cookie dough. We like the taste a little bit better and they're easier to form into balls with the oats ground, as well.
  2. Then add all the other ingredients into a large bowl and mix them together.
  3. Form the mixture into small, cookie dough shaped balls. If you have a cookie dough scoop, I recommend using it to make this step even easier.
  4. Then store in an air tight container or bag in the fridge or freezer.

Most of the time I don’t make them with protein powder; however, if you’re looking to add even more protein-density into this snack I highly recommend the Orgain Chocolate Protein Powder. Also, make sure to substitute 100% maple syrup (something similar) for the honey if you’re feeding these to a baby less than 1 year old.

These make for a great snack or for a little dessert after meals. I’m going to experiment with new mix-ins, so I’ll let you know if I find any other great combinations. If you have a favorite recipe for protein balls, send it my way, I would love to mix it up! I’m sure there are some incredible recipes we haven’t tried yet.

For other ideas of healthy snacks we enjoy check out some of my other posts. There’s a list of snack ideas on this post Road Tripping with Kids and this one, 10 Healthy Snacks we love for family trips.

If you end up making these cookie dough style protein balls, you’ll have to let me know what you think. And most importantly, you’ll have to let me know what your family thinks.

Sincerely,

Sarah

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Hi, I’m Sarah!

Hi, I’m Sarah!

My husband, Kurt, and I live in Birmingham, AL with our three little ones {4}, {2}, & {1}. My husband is currently completing a medical residency. Prior to living here we lived in Texas and Utah for schooling.

This is where I'll be sharing recent reads, favorite recipes and products, everyday style, details about our travels, etc. I'll also be sharing freebies I've designed, so don't miss out! I'm so happy to have you here!

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📍Paul Revere Statue & Old North Church – Iconic photo spot! Two lanterns were displayed in the white steeple to signal British troops arriving by water.

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📍Bunker Hill Monument – Climb 294 steps for amazing city views and Revolutionary War history.

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📍Boston Symphony Orchestra – Catch a performance at beautiful, historic Symphony Hall!

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We ended up hiking about 5 miles here, including Sterling Pond and Elephant’s Head, but you definitely don’t have to do the full hike to experience some of the magic. This beautiful vista is just a short way up the Sterling Pond Trail and is absolutely worth the stop—even if you only have a few minutes!

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📍 Din Tai Fung — because the right order here makes ALL the difference 🥟
🛍️ A last-minute Ross run for Backstreet Boys concert accessories (think sparkly silver, butterfly clutch)
💗 Made friendship bracelets together (one of my favorite parts of the trip)
🌐 Saw The Sphere in all its Vegas glory
🎶 Backstreet Boys: Into the Millennium — the main event and SO much nostalgia
🎤 The Backstreet Boys Experience at The Venetian
🥐 Brunch at La Fontaine
🍩 A stop at Saint Honoré for donuts
☀️ Pool time at Fontainebleau with virgin drinks poolside

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If there was ever a place to live out your Disney If there was ever a place to live out your Disney princess dreams, it’s Vermont in the fall. 🍂✨

Hiking through the incredible fall colors of Smugglers’ Notch on our way to Elephant’s Head Cliff felt like stepping straight into a fairytale. The golden leaves, vibrant mountains, and breathtaking views made it impossible not to stop and have my own little Colors of the Wind moment. 🍁

I would be remiss if I didn’t give Kurt full credit for the vision behind this piece.

📍 Elephant’s Head Cliff | Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

🥾 Distance: Approximately 4.4 miles round trip via Sterling Pond Trail and the Long Trail.

🍁 Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with steep, rocky sections and absolutely incredible views.

If Vermont isn’t on your fall travel bucket list yet, this is your sign!

SAVE this reel for your next Vermont adventure and follow along for more beautiful hikes and travel itineraries! 🤎

#VermontFallFoliage #SmugglersNotch #VermontHikes #NewEnglandFall #FallTravel
FIRST TIME IN BOSTON? Save this itinerary! 📍 Bost FIRST TIME IN BOSTON? Save this itinerary!

📍 Boston Common – Start at America’s oldest public park, established in 1634!

📍Walk the Freedom Trail – Follow the famous 2.5-mile red-brick path and don’t miss:

📍Granary Burying Ground – Graves of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock & Boston Massacre victims.

📍Paul Revere House – Visit the patriot’s actual home, built around 1680!

📍Paul Revere Statue & Old North Church – Iconic photo spot! Two lanterns were displayed in the white steeple to signal British troops arriving by water.

📍Mike’s Pastry – Stop for the famous pistachio cannoli! A MUST in the North End!

📍Bunker Hill Monument – Climb 294 steps for amazing city views and Revolutionary War history.

📍Giacomo’s Ristorante – End the Freedom Trail with an unforgettable Italian dinner in Boston’s North End!

📍Boston Symphony Orchestra – Catch a performance at beautiful, historic Symphony Hall!

✨ Boston has it ALL — history, charm, incredible food & unforgettable experiences!

📌 SAVE this for your Boston trip & SHARE with your travel buddy!

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Celebrating 16 years of being married. 🍂🤎 Charmin Celebrating 16 years of being married. 🍂🤎

Charming little towns, covered bridges, winding roads lined with brilliant fall colors, and crisp autumn air that makes you feel happy and alive.

Some of our favorite places in New England.

📍 Waitsfield Covered Bridge, Vermont
📍 Von Trapp Family Lodge, Vermont
📍 Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts
📍 Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Vermont

Save this for your future romantic fall getaway! 🍁

#NewEnglandFall #FallInNewEngland #RomanticGetaway #FallTravel #NewEnglandRoadTrip
🍁 Planning a trip to Vermont? These are 5 places y 🍁 Planning a trip to Vermont? These are 5 places you absolutely don’t want to miss!

After exploring Vermont during peak fall foliage, these were some of our favorite stops—from charming covered bridges to incredible hikes and mountain views!

🍂 1. Quechee Gorge & Covered Bridge
Two beautiful, quick roadside stops! Walk across the Quechee Gorge Bridge for views into Vermont’s deepest gorge, then visit the historic Quechee Covered Bridge for that quintessential New England charm.

🏔️ 2. Trapp Family Lodge | Stowe
One of our favorite experiences in Vermont! Beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking mountain views, adorable Highland cows, and incredible food. The entire property feels like something out of a storybook, especially in the fall.

💦 3. Bingham Falls | Stowe
A short but surprisingly challenging hike to a gorgeous waterfall tucked into the forest. It’s only half a mile round trip. The trail is steep, rocky, and absolutely worth it!

🍁 4. Smugglers’ Notch | Stowe
One of the most stunning scenic drives in Vermont! The winding road through the mountains is incredible, but make time to get out and hike. We took the Sterling Pond Trail and added on Elephant’s Head Cliff viewpoint via the Long Trail, which brings the hike to approximately 4.4 miles round trip. There are endless beautiful spots for photos, especially during peak foliage!

⛪ 5. Stowe Community Church
One of the most iconic fall scenes in Vermont! The church’s beautiful white steeple stands out against the vibrant red, orange, and golden mountainside. Such a picturesque stop in downtown Stowe.

📌 SAVE this for your future Vermont trip, and follow along for more travel itineraries, beautiful destinations, and adventures worth taking!

#VermontFallFoliage #VisitVermont #StoweVermont #NewEnglandTravel #falltravel
🍁 Would you believe this view is less than 5 minut 🍁 Would you believe this view is less than 5 minutes from the parking lot?!

Start up the Sterling Pond Trail in Smugglers’ Notch (just outside Stowe), and almost immediately you’re rewarded with sweeping mountain views covered in brilliant fall color. 

We ended up hiking about 5 miles here, including Sterling Pond and Elephant’s Head, but you definitely don’t have to do the full hike to experience some of the magic. This beautiful vista is just a short way up the Sterling Pond Trail and is absolutely worth the stop—even if you only have a few minutes!

Save this one for your next fall trip to Vermont. 🍁

#SmugglersNotch #SterlingPond #VermontFall #VermontHiking #fallfoliage
✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much ✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much into one day!

Good food, a little shopping, pool time, and Backstreet Boys nostalgia made this quick trip one for the books.

Here’s everything we squeezed in:

📍 Aria Patisserie — starting the day with something sweet
📍 Din Tai Fung — because the right order here makes ALL the difference 🥟
🛍️ A last-minute Ross run for Backstreet Boys concert accessories (think sparkly silver, butterfly clutch)
💗 Made friendship bracelets together (one of my favorite parts of the trip)
🌐 Saw The Sphere in all its Vegas glory
🎶 Backstreet Boys: Into the Millennium — the main event and SO much nostalgia
🎤 The Backstreet Boys Experience at The Venetian
🥐 Brunch at La Fontaine
🍩 A stop at Saint Honoré for donuts
☀️ Pool time at Fontainebleau with virgin drinks poolside

Vegas doesn’t require a week-long vacation. Give us 28 hours, a concert, great food, and a packed itinerary and we’re happy. 😂✨

#VegasGirlsTrip #vegastravel #LasVegasItinerary #BackstreetBoys #VegasFoodie
Hiking with little kids…they’re either half a mile Hiking with little kids…they’re either half a mile ahead or half a mile behind. I definitely prefer one over the other, but within sight please!

📍Artists’ Paintpot, Yellowstone National Park

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #hikingwithkids #familyadventures #outdoorfamily
Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary! From Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary!

From waterfalls and colorful thermal basins to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, bubbling mudpots, and wildlife in Hayden Valley—these are some of our favorite stops for a family day in the park.

I included how long to spend at each stop + how much walking to expect so you can actually plan your day without guessing.

📌 Save this for your Yellowstone trip and send it to the person planning your family vacation!

Follow @blossomandbecome for kid-friendly itineraries, family travel tips & adventures. 🤍

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #familytravel #travelwithkids #kidfriendlytravel
Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant co Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant completely changes your experience. 

Here are my top recommendations for food to try in Vegas. 

📍Aria Patisserie 

The Raspberry Rose macaron, a crisp, chewy shell, luscious raspberry filling, and a subtle floral rose finish. Sweet, tart, and perfectly elegant. 🌹🍓

📍Din Thai Fung

Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. I highly recommend it with the Spicy Chicken Wontons and Pork Bao buns.

DO NOT leave without trying the Mango Shaved Ice and the Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream 

📍La Fontaine (for brunch) 

Soufflé Pancakes: Ultra-fluffy, cloud-like pancakes topped with bright lemon curd, fresh berries, and airy thyme whipped cream. 

Le Traditionnel Eggs Benedict, smoked ham, potato bread, and truffled hollandaise. Amazing, so well done!

📍 Saint Honore 

Most famous for their creme Brulee donut and their beignets. We also tried the Passionfruit donut. All of them were standout donuts and not overly sweet, but so fresh and  absolutely worth the stop. 

📍Bellagio Patisserie 

Coolest patisserie design, famous for the mesmerizing chocolate fountain, a multi-tiered cascade of silky, rich chocolate. 

I recommend either a sweet or savory crepe + the Key Lime Tart. 

📍Guy Fieri’s Las Vegas Kitchen & Bar 

“Koreatown” Tacos are a fun Korean-Mexican fusion dish: marinated thin-cut ribeye, creamy avocado-lime mash, tangy kimchi, pico de gallo, spicy mayo, and corn tortillas. Best taco I’ve ever had!

📍Buddy V’s Ristorante 

Grandma’s Meatballs — tender beef, veal, and pork meatballs simmered in rich marinara and finished with Parmesan. A perfect family recipe! 

📍Salt & Straw 

I was encouraged to try Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper 🍓🍦—one of Salt & Straw’s signature flavors. It’s creamy strawberry ice cream with balsamic and a touch of citrusy black pepper that makes the strawberry flavor really pop. Delicious!!!

Pro tip: take your ice cream outside and try to time it with watching a Bellagio fountain show. 

#LasVegasEats #LasVegasFood #VegasEats #

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