These birthday cake protein balls taste like funfetti cookie dough and come together in one bowl with wholesome ingredients and a solid protein boost. They’re no-bake, festive and perfect for meal prep snacking.
It’s birthday week at our house! Yesterday was Isaac’s birthday and February 14th is mine, so it felt only right to celebrate with something festive. Enter: birthday cake protein balls.
And since I clearly have a soft spot for birthday-cake-inspired recipes around here (hello birthday cake overnight oats and birthday cake cookies), turning that funfetti flavor into protein balls just made sense.
Why I Love These Birthday Cake Protein Balls
- Dessert-inspired but balanced: All the classic birthday cake flavor in a snackable, protein-packed form.
- No-bake and quick: One bowl, a few minutes of mixing and you’re done.
- Great for meal prep: Keep them in the fridge or freezer for easy grab-and-go snacks all week.
- Soft and doughy: That cookie-dough texture everyone loves.
- Fun and festive: Sprinkles make everything better.
Ingredients Needed
- old fashioned rolled oats – these give the protein balls structure and chew so they feel hearty instead of mushy. You can blend them into oat flour for a smoother dough, but keeping them whole adds more texture and makes the bites feel substantial.
- cashew butter – this is the main binder and what creates that creamy, cake-batter-like base. Cashew butter has a naturally mild flavor compared to peanut or almond butter, which lets the vanilla and almond extracts shine. A smooth, runny style works best for easy mixing.
- protein powder – adds the protein boost and reinforces that bakery-style flavor. I tested this recipe with both Clean Simple Eats Cake Batter and Vanilla protein powder (use code EBF for 10% off), but your favorite protein powder brand works great.
- sprinkles – the funfetti moment. They add a little crunch and make these feel festive and celebratory. Use any type you love.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Birthday Cake Protein Balls
Step 1: Add the oats, cashew butter, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract and salt to a large bowl and stir until a thick dough forms.
Step 2: Fold in the sprinkles.
Step 3: Scoop the dough and roll into bite-sized balls.
Step 4: Chill for 15 to 20 minutes to set or enjoy right away.
Tips for the Best Protein Balls
- Use runny cashew butter: A smooth, drippy cashew butter mixes much more easily than thick or dry styles and helps everything come together without extra liquid. If yours is stiff, warm it slightly before stirring.
- Protein powders behave differently: Brands vary a lot in how much moisture they absorb, which is why the dough can look dry at first. Keep mixing, then add almond milk one tablespoon at a time only if needed.
- Finish mixing with your hands: Once the dough starts to form, switching from a spoon to your hands helps evenly incorporate everything and brings the mixture together faster.
- Chill if the dough feels sticky: A quick 15 minutes in the fridge makes rolling easier if the dough is sticking to your hands.
How to Store and Meal Prep
- Refrigerator: Store the balls in an airtight container for up to one week. They keep their soft, doughy texture and the flavor stays delicious.
- Freezer: Freeze them in a single layer until firm, then transfer to a freezer safe container. They keep well for up to three months. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
- Meal prep tip: Make a double batch and freeze half so you always have a quick protein snack ready to go. These are perfect for lunch boxes, holiday travel or busy days when you want something festive and filling.
More Protein Ball Recipes to Try
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Add rolled oats, cashew butter, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract and sea salt to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine until a dough starts to form. Getting the mixture to combine takes a little arm muscle and it may seem too thick at first, but it will come together as you keep mixing. I used my hands to knead the dough near the end and that seems to help. If your mixture seems too dry, you can add almond milk, starting with 1 Tablespoon.
1 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup cashew butter, 2 scoops (50-60 grams) vanilla protein powder or cake batter protein powder, ¼ cup maple syrup, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, ¼ teaspoon salt
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Stir in sprinkles
¼ cup sprinkles of choice
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Once combined, use a small cookie scoop to scoop and roll the dough into balls.
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Chill for 15–20 minutes to set or enjoy right away.
- I tested this recipe with both Clean Simple Eats Cake Batter and Vanilla protein powder (use code EBF for 10% off), but your favorite brand works great.
- Storage: Store at room temp for 2-3 days, in the fridge for up to 1 week and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1 ball | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
