This Bounce Protien Ball Recipe is the perfect bite-sized snack for busy days. Made without peanut butter, lightly sweetened, and finished with a little crunch, the balls come together in just 5 minutes, making them a simple, healthy snack to keep on hand when you need quick fuel.
good idea with the coconut oil trick on hands when rolling out! btw these look delish! -jen
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 35 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 5
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 174 kcals and 13 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Cashews, vanilla protein powder, unsweetened coconut, almond milk and brown rice syrup.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, high-protein snack.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These no-bake protein balls are quick, naturally sweet, and perfect for a healthy grab and go snack.
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If you’ve ever had a Bounce ball, you know the classic flavor, nutty, lightly sweet, and packed with just enough crunch that you wasnt more. These bounce-style protein balls recreate that familiar taste with coconut, almonds, and a hint of maple syrup for sweetness. Even better, they’re made without peanut butter, perfect for switching it up from gluten-free peanut butter protein balls.
I love keeping a batch of these no-bake protein balls in the fridge for quick snacks throughout the week. They’re easy to prep, naturally sweet, and perfect when you need a little fuel between meals, these chocolate coconut protein balls are great too. If you're a snacker like me, check out the Strong and Sweet Protein Guide for easy sweet snacks that still support your goals.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Flavor: These protein balls have the same nutty, coconut taste you'd expect from a bounce protein ball in a chewy, yummy texture.
Easy prep: They whip up in about 15 minutes and store well, making them great for on-the-go snacks.
Budget-friendly: Of course, buying bounce balls all the time adds up cost-wise. Making your own batch to have on hand is a great way to save some money while increasing your protein intake.
Protien powder: These protein balls without peanut butter can be made with multiple protein powders to make them easy for everyone.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Now, just because these gluten-free protein balls don't contain peanut butter doesn't mean they don't contain nuts. If you want a nut-free option, grab this nut-free protein bars recipe instead.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: The kind of protein powder you choose can and will affect the texture of the no-bake protein balls. These have been made with both beef protein and vegan protein powder. Learn how to choose a vegan protein powder for your goals.
- Brown rice syrup: This is what helps the balls stick together and keeps the balls vegan-friendly. If not making them vegan, honey works much better.
- Nuts: The classic balls are a blend of almonds and cashews, which is what I use. However, any blend of nuts will work, and pistachios taste great.
- Maple syrup: This is only needed if you're using vegan protein powder, as it tends not to be overly sweet, and more sugar is needed.
- Dairy-free milk: whichever milk you choose should work; it just helps the mixture come together. We use homemade hemp milk the most.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate: Use a chocolate protein powder or add 1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder to the mix for extra yum.
- Coating: Though the vanilla protein balls with peanut butter are coated in coconut and almonds, you could coat them in sprinkles, cacao powder, or even mini chocolate chips to switch it up.
How To Make Bounce Protein Balls
Step 1: In a small food processor, grind the cashews into a chunky flour.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cashews, protein powder, one tablespoon of coconut, and salt. Add the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Finally, using your hands, portion the mixture into balls. If coating, roll each ball in the coconut mixture until coated and set on a piece of parchment paper when done.
Step 4: Finally, place the no-bake energy balls in the freezer or the fridge to set for thirty minutes.
Expert Tips To Make It
The protein balls without peanut butter were originally made with a vegan protein powder that's pea-based but not heavy. Similar to these birthday cake protein balls.
Below are a few ways to adjust the balls based on the protein powder you choose:
- If using a fermented vegan protein powder, you'll need to add more maple syrup and milk as it absorbs a ton of liquid.
- I now use a beef-based protein powder for health benefits. To do this, cut out the maple syrup but add 2 tablespoons of gluten-free flour to the mix to help them bind. Chill the mix in the fridge for 10 minutes before rolling the balls.
- You can make them with whey protein as well, but you'll need to add flour and scale back on the liquid.
Basically, when mixing the protein balls you want the mixture to be sticky and tacky. If it's too sticky, chill it before you roll the balls. If it's too dry, add more liquid (slowly).
The protein balls' sweetness greatly depends on the sweetness of your protein powder. If your powder is not sweet, you may want to use a vanilla stevia extract instead.
If using a vegan protein powder and rolling in coconut (or mini chocolate chips!), you'll need to press the energy balls into the coconut and almonds for the coating to stick properly.
How To Store Them
Store the easy protein balls in the fridge for up to 7 days. If using vegan protein powder, they will firm up and become a bit drier. If using beef protein powder, bring it to room temperature to enjoy it.
Freeze the protein balls for up to 2 months in an airtight container. To enjoy them, let them come to room temperature (5-10 minutes).
Bounce Protein Balls FAQs
Protein balls become crumbly when there's not enough liquid or binding ingredients in the mix. If you notice the mixture is dry before you roll it, add more liquid ingredients to the mix. You want a semi-sticky texture before you roll.
Homemade protein balls can be part of a healthy diet as they're packed with healthy fats, protein, and reduce added sugars most store-bought snacks have.
If your protein balls are crumbling, you need a bit more liquid, or the chunks of cashews are too big. Add in a bit more almond milk (one teaspoon at a time) and remix until they're a stickier texture.
More High Protein Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this No-Bake Coconut Almond "Bounce" Balls Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
No-Bake Coconut Almond "Bounce" Balls
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cups cashews
- ½ cup Vanilla protein powder
- 1 tbs coconut unsweetened, + more for rolling
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons almond milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1-2 teaspoon water optional
Instructions
- In a small food processor, chop the cashews into a chunky flour- make sure not to grind them all into a flour, you want some texture left.
- In a large bowl, combine the cashews, protein powder, one tablespoon of coconut, and sea salt.
- Mix well and add in the brown rice syrup, vanilla, and almond milk.
- Mix with a fork until everything is somewhat coated. Then, add in the maple syrup. If the mexture seems too dry or crumbly, add in a bit of water (one teaspoon at a time).
- Using your hands, portion the mixture into balls and set on a piece of parchment paper when done. If rolling in extra coconut or chopped almonds, press the balls in firmly.
- Place the balls in the freezer of the fridge for thirty minutes to set.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Ginger Smith says
Yum! I'm glad these would be easy to make vegan (just use a non-whey protein powder) because they look so tasty!
fitasamamabear says
Glad they look tasty- we love them! I've used a few vegan powders with these- just find one you like the taste of because it does come through strong (don't use a greens boosted one lol)
Daneisha says
These look so tasty! And they’re healthy too! You can’t beat that! Gotta try these!
http://www.officiallychic.com
fitasamamabear says
Give them a try and let mw know if you enjoy them!
Ana says
OMG! These look so good. I'm always looking for healthier options to have on hand to get me away from the "bad choice food". I love that these can be made Gluten free and are low in sugar. I've pinned this recipe to remind me to fix these. Love that you included a handy print out version for the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
fitasamamabear says
Anytime! I hope you enjoy them- I loved them! I'm all about snack that are free of processed sugar because I won't let me daughter have any : Browse around you'll find lots. And thanks for pinning them!
Larissa says
I think my mom would love these! I'm not a fan of nuts, but my mom absolutely loves them, especially almonds! And she also loves coconut. While reading the recipe, it's the first time I've come across brown rice syrup, so I may have trouble locating that in the store!
fitasamamabear says
Oh my lord you don't like nuts?! I think I live off them haha brown rice syrup works well to bind. In Canada we can get it at grocery stores but perhaps check/call your local health food store first! I hope your mom enjoys them 🙂
mary says
Yum! Your photos look delicious. I love a new dessert to try!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks so much- I aim to make them look as tasty as possible!
Carol Little R.H. says
Love making this sort of 'on the go' yummy snack! Thanks for sharing.
I am thinking that any available 'nut' would work.
fitasamamabear says
They're tasty! And yup any nut works, I've done both almonds and cashews 🙂
Nita says
My little boy loves coconut, so I'm definitely going to try this out. Probably will substitute the almonds with peanuts, but I'm sure they would be just as tasty!
fitasamamabear says
They're definitely still be yummy! I think any nut would be - hope your little one enjoys them!
Eliza says
This will make an amazing weekend snack 🙂
fitasamamabear says
Definitely a good grab and go!
Kelsey says
Whaaat? These sound incredible! The perfect afternoon sweet treat/pick me up! Cashews are my fave!
fitasamamabear says
They're super yummy! Cashews and almonds both work. I love popping them in my mouth.. I ate them all in a few days lol
Jennifer says
Coconut is not my thing, it never has been. But I know a bunch of people that eat these in a second. Passing it on to them!
fitasamamabear says
Whaaattt!? I'm obsessed with coconut haha but I suppose that's fair 😛 thanks for passing it along!
The Food Hunter says
They would make a great snack post workout for me
fitasamamabear says
Especially when you're in a rush!
Melissa Schollaert says
I always needs new snack ideas! Thank you 🙂
fitasamamabear says
ANytime, quick pop in your mouth snacks are my favorite!
Kendra says
Those look great! The coconut and almonds look like they would go well together and this looks like something I can easily make with my 5 year old.
fitasamamabear says
It's a great one with kids because it's no bake- which means easy 😉
Cristina says
You had me at "coconut"! I'm crazy about coconut flavour so I pinned this to have it on hand.
fitasamamabear says
Haha me too! Coconut works in everything 😀
linda spiker says
These look amazing! I want to stuf some in my face right now:)
fitasamamabear says
Haha they're tasty! I ate an obscene amount while making them 😉