Healthy pistachio protein balls made with simple ingredients! No-bake, high-protein snack idea with real pistachios and naturally sweetened with honey.
These have a little crunch just like snickerdoodle protein bites but are green and a fun healthy St. Patricks Day treat. Also gluten free!
I love a good high protein snack. Protein balls are one of my favorites to make since they take around 10 minutes and then I have enough for the week (day). The kids like these, so they never last long! These use a food processor just like my almond date balls, or you can just buy store bought pistachio butter to make them even easier.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Taste: Pistachio, vanilla, and almond extract with some honey highlights and crunch from the rice crispies!
- Ease: Beginner! No bake. You can make it easier by using store-bought pistachio butter.
- Time: 10 minutes is all you need!
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Vanilla Protein Powder - your preferred brand, I like whey based but plant based would work fine!
- Oats - regular old fashioned rolled oats are best, instant oats will soak up too much moisture and cause the engergy bites to be crumbly.
- Pistachios - I use lightly salted roasted pistachios to make the pistachio butter. You can also use store bought pistachio butter.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
✏️ Substitutions & Variations
- Protein Powder - I use a mild vanilla flavor, you could also use unflavored or leave it out if you wish!
- Honey - easily switched out for agave nectar for a vegan version!
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Step 1. If you're making your own pistachio butter, this is the first step! If not, skip it. Place the pistachios in a food processor bowl. Blend on high speed for 3-4 minutes. The pistachios will turn to a crumbly mixture, then a lumpy mixture, then the oils will release to form a pistachio butter. Keep blending until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Step 2. Mix all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.
TIP: If you're going to make pistachio butter, use a food processor or high powered blender. A regular or single serving blender will take foreverrrr to make pistachio butter.
- Step 3. Add honey, pistachio butter, and almond extract. Mix well so that everything is mixed evenly. You can add a few more rice crispies if you wish for a more crunchy texture.
- Step 4. Scoop the pistachio mixture into balls using a cookie scoop. I prefer to use 1 Tablespoon in size so they're not too big. Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top to serve if you wish!
TIP: Heating up the honey and pistachio butter helps all of the ingredients mix together easier!
📌 Troubleshooting
- Too dry/crumbly - add more honey or agave nectar
- Too sweet - add less almond extract and and a pinch of salt
❄️ Make Ahead, Store, and Freezing Tips
- Store at room temp in an airtight container for up to 1 week, they get a little stale after that.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can leave it out completely or use an unflavored collagen powder to boost protein.
I prefer to use homemade (one ingredient: pistachios) but you can use any store bought brand you can find. It may have to be ordered online.
No, I won't ever recommend a nut product to someone who has a nut allergy. Not worth taking the chance. Sunflower butter is usually considered a safe substitute for someone with allergies, you also wouldn't be able to use the almond extract in this recipe.
🥨 More Easy Snack Recipes
Did You Try This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Make sure to leave a star rating and a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you, and it is so helpful to other readers! Better yet, share it with family and friends. Thank you!!
📝 Printable Recipe
Pistachio Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 10 oz lightly salted roasted pistachios (makes 1 cup pistachio butter)
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal
- 2 servings vanilla protein powder
- ½ cup honey or agave nectar
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
Instructions
- If you're making your own pistachio butter, this is the first step! If not, skip it. Place the pistachios in a food processor bowl. Blend on high speed for 3-4 minutes. The pistachios will turn to a crumbly mixture, then a lumpy mixture, then the oils will release to form a pistachio butter. Keep blending until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Makes 1 cup of pistachio butter.10 oz lightly salted roasted pistachios
- Mix all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.1 cup old fashioned oats , 1 cup crispy rice cereal , 2 servings vanilla protein powder
- Add honey, pistachio butter, and almond extract. Mix well so that everything is mixed evenly. You can add a few more rice crispies if you wish for a more crunchy texture½ cup honey or agave nectar, 2 teaspoons almond extract
- Scoop the pistachio mixture into balls using a cookie scoop. I prefer to use 1 Tablespoon in size so they're not too big. Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top to serve if you wish!
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sara!
Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.
Sara says
It's easier to use store bought pistachio butter but more expensive. Delicious either way!