1-First Step: Gather and measure everything Before you begin, measure out all the ingredients so the mixing process goes smoothly. This recipe moves fast, and having everything ready makes it much easier to keep the texture right. Set out the peanut butter, butter or oil, protein powder, sweetener, almond flour, hemp seeds if you are using them, salt if needed, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips.

2-Second Step: Melt the peanut butter and butter Place the 2/3 cup peanut butter and 2 tablespoons butter or oil into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in short bursts, just long enough for the mixture to become warm and easy to stir together. You do not want it bubbling, only smooth and loosened so the rest of the ingredients can blend evenly.

3-Third Step: Add the dry ingredients Stir in the 3/4 cup protein powder, 1/3 cup sweetener, 1/4 cup almond flour, 2 tablespoons hemp seeds if using, 1/8 teaspoon salt if your peanut butter is unsalted, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well until the dough starts looking thicker and more cohesive. At first it may seem crumbly, but keep stirring because the nut butter will help bring everything together.

4-Fourth Step: Fold in the chocolate chips Once the dough has formed, stir in the 1/4 cup chocolate chips if you want them. Make sure they are spread evenly through the mixture so every bite gets a bit of chocolate. This is also the moment to taste the dough and check the sweetness level before rolling.

5-Fifth Step: Roll into balls Scoop the dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. You should end up with about 20 balls, depending on the exact size. A small cookie scoop can help keep them even, but a spoon works just fine too.

6-Final Step: Chill until firm Place the balls on a plate or tray and refrigerate them until firm. The chilling time helps the texture set, which makes them easier to store and easier to eat. Once firm, transfer them to a covered container and keep them in the fridge or freezer based on how soon you plan to eat them.