Fudge-like chocolate peanut butter protein balls made with vegan protein powder and rolled in chia seeds and coconut for added crunch. These chia seed bites are made without a food processor and come in at 20 grams of protein in just one serving!
Rushing out the door while trying to hit your protein goals for the day is a struggle. It’s also the exact reason that as a Certified Nutrition Coach I keep peanut butter protein balls on hand!
You can use these chia seed protein balls as a quick snack or help replenish and fuel up post-workout. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Made in under 15 minutes
- A healthy dose of omega three fatty acids
- 20 grams of protein per serving
- Each serving is two large balls (who eats just one protein ball?!)
- Classic chocolate peanut butter flavor
Ingredients You Need
These high-protein balls are made with just seven ingredients. Most of which you probably already have!
A high-quality chocolate protein powder: this recipe uses a vegan protein powder to achieve its dense, fudge-y consistency (see notes below on choice and swaps)
Natural Peanut Butter: flavored in a classic chocolate peanut butter make sure to use natural peanut butter and not one that uses a base of safflower/sunflower/canola oil (learn more about the negative effects of seed oils)
Cacao Powder: not to be confused with cocoa powder (learn the differences between them), cacao powder is chocolate in its purest form and thus you reap the benefits of it being high in calcium and antioxidants
Chia seeds: used to give a bit of crunch and an extra dose of healthy fats. Fair warning, they do get a bit stuck in your teeth. So check a mirror before heading into a meeting 😛
How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls From Scratch
- Portion and measure all ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the protein, peanut butter, cacao, honey, and hemp milk.
- Mix well. The mixture will seem slightly dry.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the coconut and chia seeds.
- Grease your hands with oil, portion, and roll the mixture into four balls roughly an inch thick.
- Immediately press/roll the balls into the chia seed and coconut mixture to coat them.
- Place in the fridge to set and enjoy at room temperature.
Step by step photos
Choosing A Protein Powder
These high-protein balls use Botanica Perfect Chocolate Protein Powder.
Though you can use other powders, you need to make sure it is a vegan protein to achieve their consistency (learn more about how to choose the perfect protein powder for your goals)
However, a vegan protein powder that is solely pea protein-based means you’ll need to make some adjustments (see below).
Botanica Perfect Protein is a unique blend of quinoa, coconut, and brown rice. This makes it dairy, gluten and soy-free, organic, vegan, vegetarian, and non-GMO.
Botanica won the Alive awards in 2017 for both Consumers' & Retailers' choice for functional foods.
It’s a great-tasting protein and more similar to whey in that it doesn’t absorb or fluff like many other protein powders.
Plus, the classic flavors of Botanica are delicious.
You can grab it off Amazon.
If that's not in the cards for you as I think they only ship to Canada, opt for Naked Nutrition protein powder. Only three ingredients and super easy to work with.
Important Teaching Tips
The protein powder you choose will make a difference to both the texture and the flavor of the peanut butter protein balls.
If you’re using a protein powder that is primarily pea protein-based (like my favorite Genuine Health powder), you’ll want to add an additional 2.5 tbs of hemp milk to the mixture.
Pea protein absorbs more so it does make the texture slightly different. Adding the extra milk will also skew the nutritional values as the recipe makes five balls instead of four.
Tips For Storing Them
The protein balls can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container but taste best eaten at room temperature (just like these low calorie protein balls)
Keeping them in the fridge causes the mixture to become denser and firmer.
If you want to scale back the carb content on the balls, lighten up on the coconut and omit the chia seeds.
Substitutions & Add Ins
Though chocolate and peanut butter is the best combo, subbing in almond butter or sunbutter (to make the balls nut-free) works too.
Likewise, adding in mini chocolate chips to the energy balls gives them a bit more of a chocolate flavor. You could also roll the balls in dark chocolate chips if that's your jam.
Note that maple syrup cannot be used in place of honey for the energy balls though as it doesn't hold them together as well.
Whole Versus Ground Chia Seeds
For these peanut butter balls you'll want to use whole chia seeds (not ground!). Though they do stick in your teeth more (sorry!) they add more crunch to the balls.
The ground version just tastes funny as a coating.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
No-bake protein balls and energy bites are an easy way to ramp up your daily protein intake. Homemade protein balls are also a great way to scale back on processed snacks as you’ll be more full.
Homemade energy and protein balls are often made with a good balance of quality protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Normally they’re also low in processed sugar. Thus, when making them at home they can help increase daily protein intake and become a healthy, on-the-go snack
You can do either! Protein balls are best eaten 1-2 hours before a workout so that your body doesn’t feel too “heavy” during intense exercise. However, if using protein balls as a post-workout snack, you’ll want to consume them within an hour of working out to better help your body refuel and replenish.
More Protein Recipes You’ll Love
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Savory blueberry protein oatmeal
- Chocolate peanut butter bomb shake
- Chocolate protein fluff
- Coconut protein balls
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Energizing protein bar
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
- Coffee chia pudding
Chocolate Protein Balls (dairy and gluten-free)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Chocolate protein powder see note
- ¼ cup peanut butter natural
- 2 teaspoon cacao powder
- 1 tbs hemp milk
- 1 tbs honey
- 1 tbs chia seeds
- 1.5 tbs unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Measure and portion out the ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the protein powder, peanut butter, cacao, honey, and hemp milk.
- Mix well. The mixture will seem slightly dry.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the coconut and chia seeds.
- Grease your hands with oil, portion, and roll the mixture into four balls roughly an inch thick.
- Immediately press/roll the balls into the chia seed and coconut mixture to coat them.
- Place in the fridge to set and enjoy at room temperature.
Notes
- The protein powder you choose will make a difference to both the texture and the flavor of the peanut butter protein balls.
- If you’re using a protein powder that is primarily pea protein-based (like my favorite Genuine Health powder), you’ll want to add an additional 2.5 tbs of hemp milk to the mixture.
- Pea protein absorbs more so it does make the texture slightly different. Adding the extra milk will also skew the nutritional values as the recipe makes five balls instead of four.
- The protein balls can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container but taste best eaten at room temperature.
- Keeping them in the fridge causes the mixture to become denser and firmer.
- If you want to scale back the carb content on the balls, lighten up on the coconut and omit the chia seeds.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
These peanut butter protein balls make an easy, on-the-go snack or post-workout meal.
With 20 grams of protein per serving and a classic chocolate and peanut butter flavor, the balls will become a hit in minutes.
No food processor required 😉
Glenda
What a delectable treat! Hard to believe they're so good for me. Love them!
fitasamamabear
Thats the best kind of snack haha
Nicole
These were easy to make and my family loved them. Great texture!
fitasamamabear
Yay!
Jesse
I don't have much experience with chia seeds so I was a little nervous about making these, but we loved them! I will be a regular buyer and eater of chia from now on.
fitasamamabear
So happy I converted you!
Ruby
Awesome recipe! I tried it and the output came out so good, it was a perfect healthy on the go snack for me😊
fitasamamabear
Glad to hear it!
Mae
This is such a fun snack. Very simple to make. Another way I can use chia seeds because I have them on a daily basis. Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sandra
I love how these came out. They have such a wonderfully fudgy texture and totally satisfied my sweets craving.
fitasamamabear
Chocolate is key!