Recipes › Snacks
No Bake Protein Balls
By Samira Kazan
published June 19, 2024
These cacao and almond no-bake protein balls , sweetened with dates, are quick and simple to make. With just a few ingredients and 10 minutes, you can create a tasty snack for the whole family.
I love to snack, and my perfect snack options would be quick, and mess-free, so they’re easy to grab whenever needed—like these protein balls or chocolate coconut balls . These no-bake, vegan, gluten-free, and protein-packed balls fit the bill—the recipe is super quick and simple to make, and the balls are the perfect grab-and-go snack. The combination of sweet dates, almonds, and cacao makes this high-protein snack taste like a dessert.
What I love most about these snacks is that you can meal-prep them and keep them in the fridge so they are ready when you want one. Furthermore, you can enjoy them “naked” or top them with your favorite nuts, seeds, super-food powders, or more—the sky is the limit, and you will never get bored of them!
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- Watch my protein balls video
- Ingredients
- How to make no bake protein balls
- Toppings for your protein balls
- More protein snacks
- No Bake Protein Balls Recipe
Watch my protein balls video
Ingredients
- Almonds: They reduce hunger (keeping you full for longer) and are super nutritious, containing lots of healthy fats, antioxidants, fiber, protein (6g per 1/4 cup serving), and more!
- Dates: I love using Medjool dates, but any variety works. They are a natural way to sweeten the recipe and are full of antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients.
- Protein Blend : Use your favorite protein powder to add extra protein to the balls. I often add my homemade 5-seed protein blend (made with hemp seeds, chia seeds, ground flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds).
- Cacao Powder: Raw cacao powder adds a rich, chocolatey flavor that works beautifully in smoothies and treats.
- Salt : Add just a pinch to bring out the chocolaty cacao flavor.
How to make no bake protein balls
Begin by blending the almonds in a high-speed food processor until they are the consistency you like. This can be chunky bits, fine crumbs, or even a mixture of the two. Next, add the dates, protein blend, cacao powder, and salt. Blitz again until the mixture is well combined and clumps together.
If the mixture doesn’t stick together, you can use another 1-2 dates, a bit of honey, or almond butter (or another nut butter) to make it more sticky.
Form around 20 balls from the mixture. Shape them using your hands. These should be big enough for at least 2-3 bites. You can also use a cookie scoop to measure the size. Once rolled, the protein balls are ready to be enjoyed. Optionally, you can also roll them in any toppings you choose. See below for ideas.
Toppings for your protein balls
The topping options are vast, including crushed nuts or seeds, cacao powder, dried fruit powders, matcha, toasted coconut, and cacao nibs. There are also more unusual combination choices like safflower, nigella seeds, and chili salt. With each new batch, you can experiment and see what flavors you prefer.
For a sweeter treat, you could also cover the protein balls with melted chocolate. Dipping them in chocolate is also a great option for sticking larger toppings to the outside. These include pistachio chunks, cacao nibs, freeze-dried fruits like raspberries or strawberries, or edible dried flowers.
To cover the balls, poke them with a skewer or a fork, or just use your fingers. Then, dip and roll them in the topping of your choice. Gently press to allow the topping to stick to the ball. To coat them with chocolate and large chunks, first, dip them in the melted chocolate, then quickly dip them in the topping. Place them on a parchment paper-covered plate or tray and set them aside until the chocolate hardens.
Both the naked and the covered protein balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for two weeks or in the freezer for a month. Enjoy them whenever you need a pick-me-up snack!
More protein snacks
IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups almonds
- ▢ 8 dates
- ▢ 1/4 cup cacao powder
- ▢ 2 Tbsp protein powder can be homemade with 5 seeds
- ▢ 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a food processor or a blender, blend the almonds to your desired consistency – chunky bits, fine crumbs, or even a mixture of the two.
- Add the dates, protein blend, cacao powder, and salt. Blitz again until the mixture is well combined and clumps together.Â
- Using your hands, shape around 20 balls from the mixture. They should be big enough for at least 2-3 bites. Once rolled, the protein balls are ready to be enjoyed “naked”, covered with toppings, or stored in the fridge for later.
Topping the balls (optional)
- To cover the balls with small pieces or powders, poke them with a skewer or a fork, or just use your fingers. Then, dip and roll them in the topping of your choice. Gently press to allow the topping to stick to the ball.
- To coat them with chocolate and large chunks, dip the balls in melted chocolate and then quickly dip them in the topping. Place them on a parchment-paper-covered plate or tray and set them aside until the chocolate hardens.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
No Bake Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups almonds
- 8 dates
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 2 Tbsp protein powder can be homemade with 5 seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a food processor or a blender, blend the almonds to your desired consistency - chunky bits, fine crumbs, or even a mixture of the two.
- Add the dates, protein blend, cacao powder, and salt. Blitz again until the mixture is well combined and clumps together.
- Using your hands, shape around 20 balls from the mixture. They should be big enough for at least 2-3 bites. Once rolled, the protein balls are ready to be enjoyed “naked”, covered with toppings, or stored in the fridge for later.
Topping the balls (optional)
- To cover the balls with small pieces or powders, poke them with a skewer or a fork, or just use your fingers. Then, dip and roll them in the topping of your choice. Gently press to allow the topping to stick to the ball.
- To coat them with chocolate and large chunks, dip the balls in melted chocolate and then quickly dip them in the topping. Place them on a parchment-paper-covered plate or tray and set them aside until the chocolate hardens.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe on Alphafoodie: https://www.alphafoodie.com/healthy-cacao-almond-protein-balls/
