The perfect blend of rich chocolate and healthy protein. These brownie protein balls are made without peanut butter and whipped up in just minutes. Sink your teeth into the silky texture of these protein balls whipped up in just minutes.
Enjoy a pop-in-your-mouth treat or a super speedy snack! With a fudge-like texture, these protein brownie bites are sweetened with just maple syrup and mini chocolate chips- just like these high protein rice krispie squares.
And with no baking required, they whip up in about five minutes with a delicious raw cookie dough kind of feel. Plus with 10 grams of protein per two balls you gain a bit of fuel with your indulgence. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, you're going to fall in love with these brownie protein balls:
- Dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, vegan
- Made without peanut butter
- Ultra simple
- A hit with kids
- They freeze
Ingredients In The No-Bake Protein Balls
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 (learn more below). But know that you can use vanilla or chocolate protein powder.
Cacao powder: cocoa powder can be used as well but it doesn't have the benefits that cacao powder does (learn more about cacao powder and how to use it).
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.
Maple syrup: you only need a bit for these balls to come out with a gooey delicious flavor! Make sure to use real maple syrup and not the corn syrup one.
Almond milk: again, any non-dairy milk will work. We use homemade hemp milk most often.
Mini chocolate chips: make sure to grab a brand that suits your dietary needs. Enjoy life chocolate chips are dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and vegan.
Step By Step Photos
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 no peanut butter chocolate 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 😉
Conversely, while I think whey protein would blend into the balls well, I’m not sure they would hold together.
These vegan 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.
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.
Sunbutter works to make these chocolate protein balls nut-free if needed but it will change the texture.
Store the chocolate balls in the fridge for 5-7 days.
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.
Want to double the flavor? Use chocolate protein powder in place of vanilla.
Frequently Asked Questions About No-Bake Protein Balls
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.
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
Chocolate Protein Balls (No Peanut Butter!)
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.
Video
Notes
- The recipe makes ten balls. One serving is two balls
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
These vegan, healthy, paleo protein balls are like mini pop-in-your-mouth brownie bites! They're a simple, protein-packed indulgence (like this double chocolate protein fluff!).
They’re simple to make, allergy-friendly (no peanut butter!!), and they’re a perfect way to curb chocolate cravings?
nancy
yes to no bake protein balls! I love simple easy post workout / breakfast /snacks!
fitasamamabear
Right?! I could LIVE off no bake recipes haha
Terri
You had me at healthy little bite brownies! 🙂 These are perfect for the lunch bag (mine and the kids'!)
fitasamamabear
Haha, well really you can't go wrong with any kind of brownie flavor!!