Introduction

These no-bake lemon poppyseed protein balls are a bright and nutritious snack perfect for busy days. Bursting with fresh lemon zest and a hint of sweetness, they combine protein and healthy ingredients for a satisfying energy boost.

Three round lemon poppy seed balls with a smooth pale yellow texture mixed with small black poppy seeds are stacked on a white plate with a slightly rough edge. A wedge of lemon with bright yellow flesh is placed beside the circles, all set on a white marbled surface. The focus is close up, showing the grainy texture and tiny seeds scattered evenly across the balls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 scoops vanilla bean protein powder (such as Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest (from a fresh lemon)
1 tbsp poppy seeds
1/2 tbsp sweetener (Lakanto Monk Fruit suggested)
6 tbsp water
6 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the protein powder, rolled oats, poppy seeds, sweetener, and lemon zest. Stir until the dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
Step 2: Add the fresh lemon juice and water to the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly until a moist, cohesive dough forms that holds together without being sticky.
Step 3: Using your hands, shape the mixture into 28 small, evenly sized spheres. If the mixture sticks to your hands, lightly dampen them with water to make shaping easier.
Step 4: Place the shaped balls into a container, leaving space between each one to avoid sticking. Seal the container and refrigerate to allow the protein balls to set.

Tips & Variations

For extra zing, add a pinch of ground ginger or turmeric to the dry mix for a subtle spicy note.
Swap the vanilla bean protein powder for unflavored or another flavor depending on your preference.
If you prefer a sweeter bite, increase the sweetener slightly or add a drizzle of honey before shaping.
To make these vegan, choose a plant-based protein powder and a vegan-friendly sweetener.

Storage

Store the lemon poppyseed protein balls in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They keep well chilled and can be enjoyed straight from the fridge. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to a month; thaw in the fridge before eating.

How to Serve

A close-up of a small glass jar filled with round, bite-sized energy balls that have a speckled texture made of yellow, black, and white seeds. The balls are stacked tightly inside the jar, showing a dense, grainy surface. A woman's hand is gently holding one energy ball above the jar, highlighting its round shape and detailed texture. The jar is placed on a white marbled surface, and the background is softly blurred out, keeping the focus on the jar and the energy balls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different citrus juices besides lemon?

Yes, lime or orange juice can be substituted to create a different citrus flavor, though lemon provides the freshest, most traditional taste for this recipe.

What if the mixture is too dry or too wet?

If it’s too dry and crumbly, add water one teaspoon at a time until it holds together. If too wet and sticky, add a little more protein powder or oats to balance the texture.

No-Bake Lemon Poppyseed Protein Balls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 123 reviews

These No-Bake Lemon Poppyseed Protein Balls are a refreshing, convenient, and nutritious snack packed with vanilla bean protein, zesty lemon flavor, and crunchy poppy seeds. Easy to prepare without any cooking required, they’re perfect for a quick energy boost or post-workout fuel.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 28 protein balls 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

3 scoops vanilla bean protein powder (Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard recommended)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp lemon zest (finely zested from a fresh lemon)
1 tbsp poppy seeds
1/2 tbsp sweetener (Lakanto Monk Fruit preferred)

Wet Ingredients

6 tbsp water
6 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the protein powder, rolled oats, poppy seeds, sweetener, and lemon zest. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until evenly mixed to ensure that every bite has a balanced flavor and texture.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the fresh lemon juice and water into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until the mixture forms a cohesive dough that is moist enough to hold together but not overly sticky.
Shape the Mixture into Spheres: Use your hands to form the mixture into 28 small, evenly sized spheres. If the mixture sticks to your hands, lightly wet them with a bit of water to make shaping easier and prevent sticking.
Store the Lemon Poppy Seed Bites: Arrange the protein balls in a Tupperware container with enough space so they don’t stick together. Seal the container tightly and refrigerate to allow them to set. Keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy a delicious, healthy snack.

Notes

The sweetener can be adjusted based on your taste preferences or substituted with other low-calorie sweeteners.
For a firmer texture, refrigerate the balls for at least an hour before serving.
These protein balls can be stored refrigerated for up to one week.
To make them vegan, choose a plant-based protein powder.
If you prefer, roll the balls in extra poppy seeds or lemon zest for added texture and decoration.

Keywords: lemon poppyseed protein balls, no bake protein snacks, healthy lemon snacks, easy protein balls, low calorie snacks, post-workout snack, lemon zest snacks