The perfect blend of rich chocolate flavor wrapped in a brownie-like ball. These chocolate protein balls are made without peanut butter and whipped up in just minutes. Sink your teeth into the silky texture of these protein balls and enjoy 10 grams of protein.
Enjoy a pop-in-your-mouth treat or a super speedy snack with these chocolate protein balls! With a fudge-like texture, this no-bake protein snack is sweetened with just maple syrup and mini chocolate chips- just like these high protein rice krispie squares.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach and busy mom, I love that they require zero baking, whip up in just a few minutes, and use something other than peanut butter as the base. With a raw cookie dough kind of feel, these balls have 10 grams of protein per serving which helps give your daily protein intake a nice boost. Learn more about the benefits of a high-protein diet and start whipping up high-protein snacks ASAP.
Why You'll Love Them
Easy to make: Only six ingredients and 10 minutes are needed to make the protein balls recipe.
Allergy-friendly: Without peanut butter, these protein balls are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. Plus there's a nut-free option.
Kid-friendly: The protein balls are versatile enough to change up the flavor and are always a hit with kids which is a nice way to sneak in some extra protein.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Below is a quick shot of the ingredients you need to make the peanut butter-free protein balls along with a few substitutions and notes.
Vanilla vegan protein powder: the protein you choose can and will affect the texture and flavor of the balls. Vegan protein tends to absorb more liquid (learn more about choosing a protein for your goals) and some are sweeter than others.
Make sure to use raw cacao powder to add an extra dose of nutrients to the balls.
Almond butter: these protein balls are peanut butter free but truly any nut butter will work. Just make sure to use fresh nut butter that's runny otherwise the balls won't mix.
Make them nut free: If you need to make these protein balls completely nut-free, opt for Sunflower seed butter in place of the almond butter.
Important Teaching Tips
You only need half the almond milk called for if using a blended protein like Orgain protein powder. If using a fermented protein powder, you'll need all the almond milk and the batter will look pretty dry.
Grease your hands with coconut oil it helps the protein balls not stick as well as holds them together.
You need super fresh, runny almond butter so that the balls mix but also because the almond butter won't drizzle if there's not a bit of oil in it.
How To Make Protein Balls Without Peanut Butter
Step 1: Mix together the chocolate protein powder and cacao powder,
Step 2: Add in the almond butter, maple syrup, and almond milk. Mix well.
Step 3: Fold in the chocolate chips, it will look a bit dry.
Step 4: Drizzle with almond butter.
Choosing A Vegan Protein Powder
You do need to use a vegan protein for these protein balls. Plant-based protein powder tends to “fluff up” and bind better as it absorbs liquid. this gives the protein balls a bit of a light feeling to them… which makes them alarmingly easy to eat 😉
These vegan chocolate protein balls have been made with a few vegan protein powders. Specifically, Botanica Protein Powder as well as Oragin Protein Powder.
Both of these protein powders are great tasting which is important in these balls because there's so little sweetener. Likewise, they don't absorb like crazy.
If using a straight pea protein and a fermented one, know you'll need more almond milk and possibly maple syrup.
How To Store Them
Store the chocolate balls in the fridge for 5-7 days in an airtight container.
Freeze the balls in a sealed container for up to one month and let them thaw in the fridge overnight when you want them. Personally, I'd grab 5-8 at a time and move them to the fridge.
Flavor Variations
You can switch out the flavor of these protein balls easily enough. Below are some of our favorite tweaks below.
Protein powder: Change the flavor of the vegan protein powder you use to change the taste.
Crunch: In place of chocolate chips you could add sprinkles, toasted pecans, or toasted coconut.
Drizzle: Use these vegan protein balls as a protein dessert and drizzle them with chocolate ganache.
Other High Protein Recipes You'll Love
- Chocolate chip protein muffins
- How to make protein ice cream
- Protein granola
- Chunky monkey homemade protein ice cream
- Flourless peanut butter protein muffins
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Chocolate chia protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Chocolate chip granola bars
- High protein cookies
- High protein snacks
- Healthy desserts
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Chocolate Protein Balls (No Peanut Butter!)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Protein Balls
- 1.5 scoop vegan protein powder, vanilla about ½ cup
- 1.5 tablespoon cacao powder cocoa powder works too
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 4 tablespoon almond milk
- 1.5 tablespoon mini chocolate chips enjoy life
For The Almond Butter Drizzle
- 1 tablespoon almond butter runny
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the protein powder and cacao powder.
- Add in the almond butter and syrup. Mix as much as you can (it won’t hold together yet). Add in some of the almond milk and mix for a couple of minutes. It will look slightly dry but mix until it holds together slightly. Add in the chocolate chip and stir.
- Line a tray with parchment paper. Grease your hand in coconut oil. Portion and roll the balls.
When you portion, squeeze the balls together and then roll so that they hold together. Place them on the paper. - Place the remaining nut butter into a plastic baggie and cut the tip. Drizzle over the balls. Place in the fridge to set.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions About No-Bake Protein Balls
While I think whey protein would blend into the balls well, I’m not sure they would hold together. You would need to scale back the amount of milk.
The short version is yes! Getting more protein into your diet helps keep you full and snack less. Plus, protein helps boost our immune system and replenish muscle mass. And protein balls are an easy way to boost your intake.
Because vegan protein absorbs liquid, you tend to need quite a bit. If your protein balls are not sticking together, try adding a bit of water or plant-based milk. Add only a little at a time until the mixture becomes a bit more "tacky". Then really press the mixture together to get them to hold.
Yes! Energy balls are an easy, fueling snack. When made correctly with a balance of healthy fats, proteins and some carbohydrates, energy balls are an easy way to slowly release energy and give you fuel while preventing a sugar crash.
Yes! Protein balls should be stored in the fridge freezer to prevent them from spoiling. If stored in the freezer, make sure to thaw briefly in the fridge or at room temperature before eating. If the balls are in the fridge, they should last roughly fourteen days.
Terri says
You had me at healthy little bite brownies! 🙂 These are perfect for the lunch bag (mine and the kids'!)
fitasamamabear says
Haha, well really you can't go wrong with any kind of brownie flavor!!
nancy says
yes to no bake protein balls! I love simple easy post workout / breakfast /snacks!
fitasamamabear says
Right?! I could LIVE off no bake recipes haha