The perfect blend of rich chocolate flavor wrapped in a brownie-like ball. These Chocolate Protein Balls Without Peanut Putter are whipped up in just minutes. Sink your teeth into thesilky texture of these protein balls and enjoy 13 grams of protein.
"Yes to no bake protein balls! I love simple easy post workout / breakfast /snacks!" -Nancy
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 40 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 5
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 162 kcals and 13 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Vegan protein powder, almond Butter, cacao powder, almond milk.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, vegan, peanut-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These chocolate protein balls are fudgy, rich, and indulgent while still packing 10 grams of protein per serving.
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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 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 (just like these low-calorie protein balls). 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 recipes ASAP.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: Only six ingredients and 13 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 vegan protein for your goals), and some are sweeter than others.
- Cacao powder: Adds a rich chocolate flavor and an extra dose of nutrients to the balls. Make sure to use raw cacao powder, though, not cocoa powder.
- 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 runn,y otherwise the balls won't mix.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
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.
Protein powder: Change the flavor of the 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 dairy free chocolate glaze.
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.
Expert Tips
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.
Choosing a protein powder and adjusting the balls
- These peanut butter-free protein balls were originally made with vegan protein powder, which typically absorbs a ton of liquid.
- Fermented protein powder: Absorbs the most liquid, and you may need 1 teaspoon extra water for them to bind.
- Orgain protein powder: Delicious and doesn't absorb as muc,h so you'll only need half the almond milk called for.
- Beef isolate protein powder: Can create a sticky texture, so add the almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time until just tacky.
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.
Protein Balls No Peanut Butter FAQs
Protein balls can be a healthy addition to any diet, as extra protein helps boost our immune system and replenish muscle mass. And protein balls are an easy way to boost your intake.
Protein balls crumble when not enough liquid is added to the mixture. This happens especially with vegan protein powder. If your protein balls are not sticking together, try adding 1 teaspoon of non-dairy milk to the mixture at a time until the batter holds together when pressed.
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.
More High Protein Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this Chocolate Protein Balls Without Peanut Butter Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Chocolate Protein Balls (No Peanut Butter!)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Protein Balls
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder vegan was used
- 1.5 tablespoon cacao powder cocoa powder works too
- ¼ cup almond butter fresh and runny
- 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
- If the batter is too dry and crumbly, add 1 teaspoon of almond milk at a time until it's stickier and holds together when pressed.
- If the batter is too sticky or tacky, add 1 tablespoon of protein powder or roll the finished balls inc acao powder.
- If using a beef-based protein powder, add the almond milk in one tablespoon at a time so that the balls don't become too sticky.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
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