Peanut butter and pistachio protein balls

Peanut butter and pistachio protein balls with rolled oats, vanilla protein powder, peanut butter and pistachios – moist, nutty and quick to make.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 10 min
• Calories: 140 kcal per serving
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 10 g
• Carbs: 9 g

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp chopped unsalted pistachios
• 100 g rolled oats
• 1 splash of coconut milk
• 4 tbsp peanut butter
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
• 30 g vanilla protein powder (unsweetened)

Method

You’ll need: mixing bowl

1. Mix the rolled oats and vanilla protein powder thoroughly in a large bowl so the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Add the peanut butter and the maple syrup or honey and knead everything well. If the mixture is too dry, make it more pliable with a little coconut milk.
3. Work in the chopped pistachios until they're well distributed through the mixture.
4. With slightly damp hands, shape small balls. The mixture should be compact and hold together easily.
5. Chill the protein balls briefly so they firm up a little.
6. Serve chilled; that's when the peanut butter and pistachio protein balls taste best and have the best texture.

Good to know

When you want something sweet but not just anything, these little balls are just right. They're soft, nutty and satisfying without feeling heavy.

Swaps

Pistachios → walnuts (more omega-3 fatty acids, nuttier flavour) Rolled oats → almond flour (fewer carbs, softer texture) Maple syrup/honey → date paste (natural sweetness, plus fibre)

Allergens

Contains peanuts, pistachios (tree nuts), possibly milk in the protein powder and, depending on the product, coconut; for small children, nut products only make sense in a suitable texture, and during pregnancy the ingredients are generally unremarkable, as long as they agree with you. Contains: gluten (oats, unless certified gluten-free).

Frequently asked questions

What do rolled oats contain nutritionally?

Rolled oats provide complex carbs, fibre and minerals such as manganese, magnesium and iron. They're best known for their beta-glucans, a particular type of soluble fibre.

Are pistachios more than just a topping?

Yes, they bring unsaturated fats, fibre, potassium, copper and vitamin B6. They also add their own slightly sweet, slightly bitter flavour, which makes the balls more rounded.

Does peanut butter suit everyone?

Sensitive people sometimes react to large amounts of fat or to additives in the product, so it's worth choosing one with as short an ingredient list as possible.

What matters when choosing protein powder?

The protein content is only part of it; depending on the product, sweetening, flavour and how well you tolerate it differ a lot. Some powders also contain calcium or added vitamins, others hardly any relevant micronutrients.

Is maple syrup or honey the better choice nutritionally?

Here both mainly serve to sweeten and bind. Maple syrup contains small amounts of minerals such as manganese, and honey, depending on the type, traces of various plant compounds – overall the difference is rather small.