Cream Cheese Oreo Protein Balls
The Story Behind My Not-So-Secret Cream Cheese Oreo Protein Balls
I have to admit, I wasn’t born knowing how to make snacks without ending up with a sticky kitchen, a half-eaten bag of Oreos, and probably a little regret. But this recipe? It’s actually a happy accident, or maybe divine intervention by the snack gods. The first time I made these, I accidentally mixed in too much vanilla protein powder because the cap flew off mid-scoop. (Still ate every bite, just saying.) Anyway, my nephew calls these “Oreo snowballs” and asks for them every time he visits. Even my partner—who normally avoids anything with the words “protein” or “healthy”—gets suspiciously excited whenever a batch appears in the fridge. Honestly, I think it’s a solid recipe when someone sneaks one before dinner and claims it’s “just quality control.”
Why I’m Kind of Obsessed With These
I make these balls when I’m craving a treat but don’t want to go full sugar-spiral (we’ve all been there after one too many cookies). My family goes bonkers for these, mostly because they have all the Oreo flavor without turning into a melted mess like some other snacks I’ve tried. I mean, some recipes sound great on paper but then you’re stuck with an un-chill blob on your plate. I figure that if my household will actually eat a snack instead of just poking at it, that’s a win. Plus, these take under 15 minutes and, bonus, you barely have to clean anything.
Here’s What You Need (Or What I Usually Grab)
- 1 block (about 225g or 8oz) cream cheese – I go full-fat for the best texture, but my cousin swears by the light stuff. Truth be told, I can’t really tell once the Oreos go in.
- 10-12 Oreos – classic is best (tried Double-Stuf once, oddly too mushy), and I’ve been known to use gluten-free for my friend Kirsty.
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder – any brand works fine, my brother brings some cheap stuff from Aldi and it’s grand. If you’re in a bind, chocolate protein actually tastes so-so too (learned that the hard way).
- 2-3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup if you like things sweeter – or skip entirely if your protein powder is super sweet (I usually forget this, and sometimes it’s fine).
- Optional: pinch of salt, a handful of mini chocolate chips, or a dash of vanilla extract. Also, I once dumped in some oat flour to stretch a tiny batch, and it worked okay.
How I Throw These Together (Mostly in One Bowl)
- Smash the Oreos – Stick ’em in a zip-top bag and bash them up, rolling pin or just your fist. If some pieces stay a bit chunky, don’t stress, they give a nice crunch. Pro-tip: Don’t use a food processor unless you like cleaning cookie dust off your ceiling – trust me, I learned the hard way.
- Mix the gooey stuff – In a medium-ish bowl, mash the cream cheese with a spoon or hand mixer (mine is ancient but still kicking). Add protein powder and honey. It’ll look a little weird at first, but keep going – at this point I always ask myself if I’ve done it right, but it comes together.
- Add those Oreo crumbs – Dump almost all the Oreos into your bowl, keeping a spoonful to roll on the outside if you want. Stir together. This is the spot where I sneak a taste. Sometimes I regret sharing these with my family because warm batter is the real treat.
- Form into balls – Scoop out chunks (just a generous tablespoon each) and roll into balls. If they’re too sticky, wash your hands and try again; or shove the bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes and see if things calm down.
- Roll in leftover Oreo crumbs – This step is technically optional, but highly recommended for extra crunch and because, honestly, it looks fancy. Who doesn’t like to show off a bit?
Some Actually Helpful Notes
- Don’t try to use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese. It seemed like a good, “fitness blogger” idea…but nope. Just nope.
- If your mixture is too dry, a splash of milk sorts it out. Too wet? Add a pinch more protein or a spoon of quick oats. Only did this because I ran out of Oreos once (the horror!).
- I think these taste better the next day, but they’re rarely left long enough to check.
Variations (and One Fail…)
- Mini peanut butter protein balls: Swap one Oreo out for a spoonful of peanut butter. Big win.
- Holiday version: Add red and green sprinkles for Christmas flair. It’s cheesy, but kids love it.
- Lemon protein balls: I tried subbing golden Oreos and lemon zest once. Eh, would not recommend. Bit weird, honestly (my neighbor was too polite to say).
Gear You Need – Or Can Improvise
Your hands are the main tool here, but yes, a hand mixer turns cream cheese into magic. If you don’t have one, use a fork and a hefty dose of elbow grease (bonus arm workout!). A bowl and a zip-top bag for bashing Oreos, that’s basically it. I guess if you have a food processor and want to use it, go for it—just watch out for the flying bits.
How to Store (Not That You’ll Need This…)
These keep in a sealed tub in the fridge for 3-4 days—though, honestly, in my house they vanish within hours (I suspect snack gremlins). You can freeze them for longer but they do get a bit weird in texture after thawing. I read someplace on The Kitchn about freezing cookie dough, and it’s similar in principle but, erm, I forget to label things so mystery Tupperware is just life now.
Serving Up – My Favorite Bits
I like popping a couple into my morning yogurt for “breakfast dessert” (I know, total rebel). My partner heaps them up on a plate for game night. Occasionally, we dust with a bit of extra protein powder to pretend it’s all intentional. Oh, and for parties? Stick a festive toothpick in each and suddenly you have “fancy” finger food (ha!).
Pro Tips (Well, Lessons Learned the Hard Way…)
- I once tried to speed up by forming them with warm hands – mistake! They turned into melty blobs. Chill first, every time. Patience is a virtue, apparently.
- Don’t skip softening cream cheese, unless you enjoy fighting a brick of dairy. Microwave in 10-second bursts if you forget, which I frequently do.
- Mix by hand for chunkier texture; mix more for smoother. Oh, and don’t wear your favorite white shirt, unless you’re into Oreo spots as a new fashion trend.
FAQ – Stuff People Actually Ask Me
- Do I have to use protein powder?
- Nope, you can skip it. Maybe add a spoon of oats or skip nothing at all — just makes it less “protein” and more “snack” ball. Works either way.
- Can you make these dairy-free?
- I’ve tried vegan cream cheese, and it’s… okay. Maybe add a smidge more sweetener since vegan ones can be tangy. Haven’t nailed it but it’s edible!
- Which protein powder is best?
- Totally up to you, but check for one that tastes good solo. If you don’t like it straight, you probably won’t love it in these balls. I once used unflavored and my partner politely pushed his share onto my plate.
- Can I double the recipe?
- Absolutely! I actually always mean to, then forget and regret it when ten get eaten in 5 minutes. Maybe pre-crush a whole sleeve of Oreos? Just a thought.
- How many balls does this make?
- Usually about 12, depending on how wild you go with the rolling. Or how many times you “test” the dough, haha.
By the way, if you want ideas for other simple no-bake treats, my friend Amy has a big list over at Feasting On Fruit, which is where I originally got inspired to start experimenting. And if you get distracted mid-recipe and the dog manages to steal half your batch, just think of it as an excuse to make another—it’s practically a kitchen tradition now.
Ingredients
- 8 Oreo cookies
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted (for coating)
- 1 tbsp crushed Oreos (for topping, optional)
Instructions
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1Crush the Oreo cookies in a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and smashing with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form.
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2In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crushed Oreos, softened cream cheese, vanilla protein powder, almond flour, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Mix until a thick dough forms.
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3Scoop out about a tablespoon of dough and roll into balls. Repeat until all of the mixture is used.
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4Chill the balls in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up.
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5Dip each ball into melted dark chocolate and place on a parchment-lined tray. Sprinkle with crushed Oreos if desired.
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6Refrigerate for 10 more minutes or until chocolate is set. Serve chilled and enjoy.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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