1-First Step: Melt the peanut butter mixture Add 2/3 cup peanut butter and 2 tablespoons butter or oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short bursts, about 15 to 20 seconds at a time, stirring between each round until the mixture is smooth and easy to stir. You want it soft, not bubbling hot. If you are using coconut oil, it should melt quickly and blend right into the peanut butter.

2-Second Step: Mix in the dry ingredients Add the 3/4 cup protein powder, 1/3 cup powdered sweetener, 1/4 cup almond flour, 2 tablespoons hemp seeds if using, 1/8 teaspoon salt if needed, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir well until a thick dough starts to form. At first, it may look crumbly, but keep mixing. The peanut butter and melted fat will pull it together.

3-Third Step: Adjust the dough texture Check the feel of the mixture. If it is too stiff or dry, add a little more oil, one teaspoon at a time, and mix again. If it is too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more almond flour. This is the easiest way to tailor the no bake energy bites to your peanut butter brand and protein powder type.

4-Fourth Step: Stir in chocolate chips if using If you want chocolate in the mix, fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips now. Mini chips work especially well because they spread through the dough more evenly. This adds a sweet little bite to each peanut butter protein ball and makes them feel more like a snack from the bakery case.

5-Fifth Step: Roll into balls Scoop the dough and roll it into 1-inch balls with your hands. If the dough starts to stick, lightly dampen your hands or chill the bowl for a few minutes first. A small cookie scoop can help make the portions more even, which is useful if you are prepping snacks for the week.

6-Final Step: Chill until firm Place the peanut butter protein balls on a plate, tray, or lined container and refrigerate until firm. This usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how warm your kitchen is. Once chilled, they are ready to eat right away.