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Home By Course Desserts Balls & Bites

Monster Cookie Protein Balls (Low Calorie)

Peanut butter lovers rejoice! Enjoy the classic flavors of a thick, chewy monster cookie without all the extra calories! These Low Calorie Protein Balls are the perfect lightened up version of one of my favorite desserts. Sweet, nutty and mixed with melt-in-your-mouth M&M's, you can't go wrong with these delicious, chewy, oatmeal protein balls! 

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By: Lauren published: Sep. 07, 2023 updated: Dec. 19, 2023 4 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Monster cookie protein balls on a plate.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Protein Balls
Ingredients and Substitutions
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations
How To Make
Rolling Tip
Make These Monster Cookie Protein Balls into Bars!
FAQ: Low Calorie Protein Balls
More Protein Ball Recipes You’ll Love
Monster Cookie Protein Balls (Low Calorie)
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

Low calorie protein balls with the classic tastes of a Monster Cookie! The sweet, nutty flavor combined with the perfect thick oaty texture and mixed with sweet candy chocolate is just *chef’s kiss*!

These low calorie protein balls are just the best quick treat for your sweet tooth! They’re lightened up by using a little less peanut butter than traditional recipes but still have all the same great taste.

They make the perfect grab-and-go snack before or after your workout, as an after lunch treat or bedtime dessert!

If you’re looking for more easy quick sweet snacks, be sure to check out these Oatmeal Cashew Cookie Protein Balls, Oreo Cookie Dough Bites and these super popular Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bites!

Monster cookie low calorie protein balls on a plate.

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Protein Balls

  • Low-calorie monster cookie indulgence that will “wow” your taste buds!
  • Only 90 calories per ball and over 3 grams of protein each!
  • Perfect for a quick healthy snack, afternoon sweet or bedtime dessert!
  • No baking required! Just mix, chill and enjoy this simple recipe!
  • Made with healthy, simple ingredients that can all be found at your local grocery store.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for monster cookie protein balls.
  • Rolled oats – Rolled oats work best for thick oat texture. Quick oats will yield a slightly different texture but you can sub in a pinch.
  • Protein powder –  I used PEScience vanilla protein powder (code Laurenfitfoodie to save!) Protein powders can vary in consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others. This might cause your cookie dough mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until it gets to cookie dough consistency. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!
  • Honey – can also use pure maple syrup or sugar-free pancake syrup.
  • Unsweetened applesauce – you can replace the applesauce with canned pumpkin or additional peanut butter or honey. Or you can just omit and add a few splashes of milk or water as needed to get the balls rollable. 
  • Peanut butter – Peanut butter is classic for monster cookie dough, but you can use almond butter and cashew butter too. If you have a nut allergy, sunflower seed butter works great, too.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Mini M&M’s 
  • Other optional mix-ins: mini chocolate chips, chia seeds, chopped nuts, ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, shredded coconut, etc. 

Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations

To make vegan: use a vegan protein powder and sub honey for pure maple syrup. The only part that is a little more tricky is the M&Ms since they are not vegan. Here are some alternatives: Are M&Ms Vegan? They Are Not! (5 Alternatives for 2022). You could also use dairy-free mini chocolate chips in their place.

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

Ingredients for monster cookie low calorie protein balls in a food processor before being mixed up.

1. Add all the ingredients (except the mini M&M’S) to a food processor and mix until all ingredients are combined.

Ingredients for monster cookie low calorie protein balls in a food processor after being mixed up.

2. Add a few splashes of water if needed if the mixture is too dry to roll into balls. 

M&Ms being folded in the dough inside the food processor.

3. Fold in the mini M&M’s (save some to stick to the outside if desired). 

Monster cookie low calorie protein balls on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out (about a heaping tablespoon in size) and roll into balls with your hands. Chill balls for 30 minutes before enjoying. 

make it less messy!

Rolling Tip

I like to wear disposable gloves when rolling these for easy clean up! Or you can dampen your palms with a little water or nonstick spray to help prevent the sticking.

Monster cookie protein balls on a plate with one bitten to see the inside.

Make These Monster Cookie Protein Balls into Bars!

Make these low calorie monster cookie protein balls into bars! Instead of rolling the mixture into balls, you can press the cookie dough in a pan. Refrigerate or freeze for about 30 minutes or so, then cut into bars!

FAQ: Low Calorie Protein Balls

What makes these easy protein balls low calorie? 

We’re using about 1/3 less peanut butter in this recipe than in many other protein ball recipes. Peanut butter is great, it’s just pretty calorie dense. These protein balls still have all the delicious peanut butter flavor, just using less! To make these balls even lower calorie, you can sub the the honey for sugar-free pancake syrup.

Why are my protein balls dry and crumbly?

Don’t worry, this can happen! Not all protein powders have the same consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others, which might cause your protein ball mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until they are easier to roll into balls. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!

Can I omit the protein powder?

Yes, you can just leave the protein powder out and be just fine! Or you can replace with peanut butter powder for some extra peanut butter goodness!

More Protein Ball Recipes You’ll Love

Cookie dough protein bites on a plate.

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bites!

Oatmeal cashew cookie coconut protein balls on a serving plate.

Easy Oatmeal Cashew Cookie Coconut Protein Balls Recipe

White chocolate oreo protein balls in a bowl.

White Chocolate Oreo Protein Balls (Just 35 Calories!)

Oreo Cookie Dough Bites (Gluten Free)

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

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5 from 6 votes

Monster Cookie Protein Balls (Low Calorie)

? Gluten-Free ? Low Carb ? Macro-friendly ? Vegetarian
Peanut butter lovers rejoice! Enjoy the classic flavors of a thick, chewy monster cookie without all the extra calories! These Low Calorie Protein Balls are the perfect lightened up version of one of my favorite desserts. Sweet, nutty and mixed with melt-in-your-mouth M&M's, you can't go wrong with these delicious, chewy, oatmeal protein balls! 
Yield: 20
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Additional Time: 30 minutes mins
Total: 45 minutes mins
Calories: 90kcal
Protein: 3.6g
Fat: 2.9g
Carbs: 12.3g

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats (160g)
  • 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder (40g) can omit or replace with peanut butter powder
  • 1/4 cup honey (84g)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (60g) see notes for substitutions
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (56g)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup mini M&M's
  • Other optional mix-ins: mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, flax seed, shredded coconut, etc. 

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients (except the mini M&M’S) to a food processor and mix until all ingredients are combined. Add a few splashes of water if needed if the mixture is too dry to roll into balls.
  • Fold in the mini M&M’s (save some to stick to the outside if desired).
  • Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out (about a heaping tablespoon in size) and roll into balls with your hands. Rolling tip so it doesn't stick to your hands: I like to wear disposable gloves for easy clean up! Or you can dampen your palms with a little water or nonstick spray to help prevent the sticking.
  • Chill balls for 30 minutes before enjoying. Keep balls stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for 3 months.

Equipment

  • Food processor

Notes

Applesauce: You can replace the applesauce with canned pumpkin or additional peanut butter or honey. Or you can just omit and add a few splashes of milk or water as needed to get the balls rollable.
 
NOTE: Protein powders can vary in consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others. This might cause your cookie dough mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until it gets to cookie dough consistency. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!
 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1ball, Calories: 90kcal (5%), Carbohydrates: 12.3g (4%), Protein: 3.6g (7%), Fat: 2.9g (4%), Saturated Fat: 0.7g (4%), Fiber: 1.1g (5%), Sugar: 5.6g (6%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Monster Cookie Protein Balls

© Author: Lauren

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Lauren

Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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