These apple oatmeal protein balls are an easy to make snack with lots of flavor. With rolled oats, protein powder, sunflower seed butter, spices, and dried apple these nut free oatmeal balls have a great balance of energy and protein to keep you going during busy days.

A stack of oatmeal protein balls on a gray plate with dried apple rings and ginger on the sides.

What's great about these energy bites is that they're laced with lots of great apple ginger flavor. Perfect for any time of year, but especially the fall season, these nut free protein balls make a great snack that you can keep in your freezer and grab on the go.

If you prefer a more simple, plain recipe, don't miss my sunbutter energy balls, but for something with a little more spice, you'll love this recipe.

Best of all these oatmeal protein balls are completely nut-free and do not have peanut butter, making them an allergy-friendly school snack.

Nut Free Oatmeal Energy Balls

I'm always looking for great snacks that combine healthy fats, protein, and carbs all together for a great pick me up during the day. It's especially helpful when you're running kids around and you're hungry, but can't quite sit down for a full meal.

For these oatmeal protein balls, I wanted to combine brain-boosting ingredients that are also gentle on the stomach.

Energy balls with oats on a plate next to dried ginger and fresh apples.

Adding in apples and ginger seems like a great combo for fall, but also if you have nausea. You'll love these apple energy balls because they're:

Nut free - This would make a great school snack for anyone who needs an nut free protein ball.
Healthy Fats- Flaxseed and chia both contain omega 3's to help boost your brain health and may even prevent migraine attacks.
Gut friendly - These little brain bites are perfect for days you don't feel well. Add in ginger can help to soothe your stomach.
No bake - These are no bake energy bites that are very quick to make in just 15 minutes!

This recipe fits a gluten free and dairy free diet, as well as vegan and migraine diet friendly.

Ingredients

This protein balls recipe is very simple, and uses some special add ins you can find at Trader Joe's or most grocery stores.

Rolled Oats - Can use gluten free oats if needed.
Protein Powder - I recommend Sprout Livings Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder. The flavors go great with this recipe and keeps this energy balls nut-free.
Chia Seeds - This helps keep the protein ball together and also adds great fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Flax Seeds - Another addition that helps with the texture, but also is a great addition for brain health.
Sunflower seed butter - You could also use pumpkin seed butter, but sunflower seed butter is a lot easier to find. This can also be substituted with almond butter, if tolerated, but this would no longer be nut-free.
Maple syrup - Added for sweetness. Could be substituted with honey, if desired.
Cinnamon and ginger - These spices are not only great natural treatments for migraine but also add a lot of flavor.
Applesauce - Look for unsweetened applesauce. I like to buy the small cups or pouches if I'm just using it for this recipe so I don't waste a whole jar.
Dried apples - Look for ones that are sulfite-free or "unsulphured". They have these at Trader Joe's.
Crystallized ginger - You can find this usually near the dried apples and it's a great addition here for a punch of flavor. This is optional if you're not a huge ginger fan.

How to Make No Bake Protein Balls

Step by step process of grinding the oats and dry ingredients in a food processor and adding applesauce and sunbutter to make protein balls.

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients

In a food processor, combine the oats, flaxseed, chia seeds, protein powder, ginger, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Pulse a few times to combine.

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Step 2: Add the wet ingredients

Add the sunflower seed butter, applesauce, and maple syrup. Pulse again until everything is mixed together, scraping down the sides as needed.

Step 3: Add in the apples and ginger

Add in the finely chopped dried apples and crystallized ginger, if using. Pulse again till everything is fully combined and mixed together.

Adding in ginger and dried apples to the protein ball dough mix.

All the dough for energy balls mixed together in a food processor.

Step 4: Roll into balls

Use a 1 inch scoop to scoop the dough into balls and roll them between your hands till smooth. If the balls are not sticking together well, you may need to add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until a better texture is reached.

I've made this recipe a few times and have not had to do this, but it can depend on your sunflower seed butter!

Energy oat balls all rolled onto a sheet pan.

Recipe Variations

Sunflower butter - You can use pumpkin seed butter, or almond butter or peanut butter if you do not care about these being nut-free or peanut-free.

Gluten free - Be sure to use certified gluten free oats if this is a factor for you.

Omit the ginger - For a more basic oatmeal protein ball, just omit the ginger. Or you could use this sunbutter ball recipe.

Freezing and Storage Tips

Refrigerator - These oatmeal protein balls will store well in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 1 week. You can store them at room temperature for 1 day, but I recommend keeping in the fridge for it to hold together better.

Freezer - I like storing these in a single layer in a giant ziplock bag for up to 6 months.

They're so small, it makes it really easy to just grab two straight from the freezer. Leave them at room temperature for just 2-5 minutes to soften before taking a bite!