These chocolate protein balls are a quick and nutritious snack that satisfies your sweet tooth. A no-bake treat packed with the perfect combination of rich chocolate flavor and a protein punch.
Made with whole foods in mere minutes, these are the perfect after school snack! There is even a nut-free option making this the ultimate allergy friendly recipe.
This post was originally published on August 19, 2018.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of NOW Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.
Like my pumpkin pie protein balls, these chocolate protein balls will keep your kids full and satisfied. They boost 6 grams of protein in each small bite and are made with healthy whole foods. They take only minutes to put together, keeping them mom friendly, and taste like dessert, keeping them kid friendly!
Ingredients
This easy after school snack will be your next go to! You can even put the balls in their lunch to avoid the end of school day hanger that comes with our stubborn (errr, I mean behaviorally strong) little ones. The list of greatness these have is one to boast about for sure!
They're vegan, gluten free, grain free, raw, no bake, whole food based, protein packed, taste like dessert, and can be made without refined sugar or nuts!
In order to make this recipe for chocolate protein balls you need:
- Cocoa powder
- Maple syrup
- Almond butter - or use sunbutter for nut free
- Unflavored pea protein powder
- Vanilla extract
- Sea salt
- Dairy free chocolate chips - omit for even healthier option
I use my one of my favorite protein powders, NOW Sports Organic Pea Protein Powder, which is made of yellow peas.
It is not only low in fat, carbs, calories, etc, but it has over 2700 mg of branched-chain amino acids and over 1300 mg of arginine. And it mixes well in just about anything, so the prefect ingredient for this recipe.
I love that this powder has no added sweeteners (I am not a fan of stevia, which is in basically all of them), so I can add whatever sweetener I prefer. It is also really neutral so any and all flavors go great with it!
How to Make Chocolate Protein Bites
Much like my Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, kids will love them and we are okay with a few extra since they are made with great ingredients.
Making this recipe for protein balls is really as simple as dump, stir, and roll. Or don't roll and just shove into mouth. Anything works! And if you're looking for more meals crazy easy recipes done in under 30 minutes, check out this list!
- Dump ingredients, except the chocolate chips, into a bowl.
- Stir.
- Add chocolate chips and stir.
- Then eat as is or roll into balls!
Preparation and Storage Tips
- This chocolate protein balls recipe makes 10 balls, if you roll them into 2 inch balls.
- To make this nut free use sunbutter, this will change the flavor slightly but will allow it to be completely allergy friendly.
- You can substitute another kind of protein powder, just make sure it is unsweetened and unflavored.
- You may or may not need water. Slowly add it in to get the consistency you prefer. You could also use milk if you want a little extra richness.
- If you do not have, or do not want to use, a protein powder you can sub oat flour. Use the same amount. My friend Brandi from The Vegan 8 tried this and said it worked perfectly and no water was needed.
- Once the balls are formed, keep the chocolate protein balls in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Vegan Protein Ball Recipes
If you liked these chocolate protein bites, check out my other flavors! Same easy process, but a twist on the taste:
Chocolate Protein Balls (No Bake)
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons cocoa powder (I use NOW Foods brand)
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup (I use NOW Foods brand)
- ¼ cup almond butter , use sunbutter for nut free (see note)
- ¼ cup unflavored pea protein powder , see note (I use NOW Sports brand)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2-4 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips , omit for even healthier option
- 2-4 tablespoons water , optional (see note)
Instructions
- Put everything except the chocolate chips and water into a bowl and mix well.
- Slowly add water if needed. You may not need any water if your almond butter is runny. If you are rolling these into balls, only add water if you need help mixing the batter well. Start with a teaspoon and slowly add until you get a well mixed batter. If you add too much then the batter will be too soft to roll.
- Add chocolate chips and mix again.
- Eat right away if you are eating as batter.
- Allow to chill in the fridge while you clean up, then roll into balls if you prefer to eat it that way.
Notes
- These make 10 balls about 2 inches in size.
- To make this nut free use sunbutter, this will change the flavor slightly but will allow it to be completely allergy friendly.
- You can sub another kind of protein powder, just make sure it is unsweetened and unflavored.
- If you are making balls or your almond butter is runny you may not need any water, add slowly to get the consistency you prefer. You could also use milk if you want a little extra richness.
- Nutrition facts include 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips.
- If you do not have, or do not want to use, a protein powder you can sub oat flour. Use the same amount. My friend Brandi from The Vegan 8 tried this and said it worked perfectly and no water was needed.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Debbie
It came out way too runny. Way too much vanilla extract so it became bitter and overpowering. Was looking for a quick snack but this came out horribly. 🙁
veggiesdontbite
Hi Debbie! It sounds like you may have mixed up ingredient amounts on these. There is no way that it is runny as the recipe is written as it's actually on the thicker side. The water is optional, the notes in the recipe gives more info on when it is needed. As for the vanilla, did you accidentally put in 2 tablespoons? I'm not sure how to help as I wasn't there when you made it, but both me and others have made this many many times with no issues. It's one of our favorite snacks and we make it weekly!
Issy
Did this recipe but left out the chocolate chips and used peanut butter instead of almond and almond milk instead of water! Turned out great! Nice way to satisfy a sweet tooth and get a bit of energy!
Issy
Oh wait I also used hemp protein instead of Pea! And it still worked wonderfully.
veggiesdontbite
I'm so happy you liked it! Thank you so much for the great review!
Anna
Just made these so delicious one question if I do not freeze how long would you keep these in the fridge ?
veggiesdontbite
Hi Anna! I'd say about 5-7 days. Glad you liked them!
Emily
The best protein balls ever! I was looking for something chocolatey and vegan and these are so perfect! I used trader joes Pea Protein and they taste like brownie batter! Can't wait till it's snacktime tommorrow to try these beauties!
veggiesdontbite
So happy you liked them!! Thank you so much for giving them a try!
Pamela
Can I freeze this recipe?
I'm traveling 4.5 hours away and it has to last that long in a cooler for our camping trip. But it sounds amazing. 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Hi Pamela! Yes! You definitely can freeze them!
Kathie
I have had this pin for longer than I want to admit and finally made the recipe. OMG sooooo good! I only used 4 tbsp of maple syrup and I think next time I will use even less. Used sunbutter only because I didn’t have almond. Definitely going to make this again and play with it a little. Maybe roll it on some coconut flakes or something. Thank you!!!
veggiesdontbite
Haha! Glad you finally made them! You can definitely addd any toppings you like and customize!
Elia
Nutritional facts are based on one ball per serving, correct? These are amaaaaazing!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Elia! Yep, per ball! So happy you like it!
Lynne
Cocoa and vanilla were the only ingredients I used that were in the original recipe. I used oat flour (I had to substitute it for the Pea Protein Ingredient), Karo Maple Flavoured syrup (cuzz I’m in Mexico for the winter and real Maple Syrup is way too expensive), and peanut butter (Keep It Simple Sweety, I’m in Mexico). I made this bowl of bliss in a matter of minutes. And then ate it in a matter of minutes. I will not be making this recipe again. I will be DOUBLING it!!! OMG it is so yummy, simple, fast, and amazing. Who could wait to bother rolling them into balls? Not me! Can I rate it a 6 out of 5? Thank you for this recipe.
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so so much Lynne! Your subs were perfect, these bites are very easy to make your own! I am so happy to have you here!
Heather
The recipe sounds fantastic. Looking forward to trying it.
Can you tell me if the Pea Protein powder is grainy or smooth please?
Really enjoyed reading your blog and that you put the Nutrition Facts in too. Well done and thank you.
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Heather! They really are delicious! The pea protein I use is pretty smooth. You could also use oat flour if you prefer and don't want to get protein powder. Or use the protein powder you typically use. Just make sure to adjust the sweetener if it is sweetened.
Heather
Thank you so much Sophia. 🙂
veggiesdontbite
You are so welcome!!
Zatara Hale
Love this recipe! It turned out delicious, I ended up using my vanilla protein from Arbonne. This is such a great treat!
veggiesdontbite
So happy you liked it! And glad to hear your protein powder worked!
Cassie Autumn Tran
I saw that giant bowl of brownie batter and wanted to dig into it SO BADLY! Spooning into a bowl of cookie dough or un-baked batter is a guilty pleasure of mine. Brownie batter is incredibly delectable, so I know I'd adore this one!
veggiesdontbite
Ah, thank you Cassie! I love raw dough and batter too!!
Stacey
I just made these..OMG! I feel like I’m being really really bad..?. I tried to eat just one, but that didn’t go so well. Exactly like brownie batter, exactly as you described. Is there anything you and the Vegan8 dont do great???
Thank you so much!! Will tag you in my unimpressive instagram lol!
veggiesdontbite
Hahahaha!! SO funny!! The great news is that you aren't bad at all because these are pretty darn healthy! I am so happy you love these as much as we do. I created them for healthy but real dessert like treat and am thrilled everyone likes them too. You are too kind to put me in the same category as the amazing Brandi, she is such a talented human and I am blessed to call her a friend. I can't wait to see your IG! Thank you so so much!
The vegan 8
Coming back to rate these! As I said on IG, they are amazing, rich and so satisfying! I love the dark chocolate flavor!! Totally the perfect snack. Olivia loved them too and I subbed with the 2 tablespoons oat flour (16g) and it was perfect! Batter came together like a breeze and I needed no water. Will be making these often! ❤️
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much friend! I'm so happy you love it! Thank you so much for trying them!!
The Vegan 8
Like I said, thank you for not using dates! My goodness, finally a brownie bite recipe that does not rely on those awful things, hahahaha. Ok, I'm kidding, but seriously they ALL seem to use them in those raw brownie recipes. Except for myself, I always use syrup in my raw brownies and desserts too, but sometimes like to try other recipes, but never can since everybody always use dates....well, NOW I CAN! haha! Can't wait to try them!
The Vegan 8
Oh and I don't use protein powders so I'm just going to sub oat flour. In one of my old brownie recipes I used protein powder but that was a few years back and stopped using it and now just sub oat flour and brown rice flour instead, but since these are raw, I think oat flour will be best. I'm sure it'll work out great! I'll let you know!
veggiesdontbite
Yep! I wanted a super fast and easy dump and stir recipe that even my kids can make. I don't do protein powders either, except for this one since the only ingredient is peas. It is the best low fat, low cal and low carb way I have found to get extra protein in my smoothies so once I found it I have used it ever since. Which is why I used it here, I wanted a way to get some extra protein in the kids and me without having to add a ton more calories. But I definitely think oat flour should work! Although it won't have the extra protein but if that's ok then no problem. I'll put it in the recipe notes too. Thanks girl!
Maureen
Is there a local store to buy the pea protein in a smaller quantity?
veggiesdontbite
Hi Maureen! NOW is a big brand in the whole sports vitamins and supplements area so any local store that has that stuff should have it. Like a GMC or vitamin shop?? You can try a health food store as well. I'm not sure what is around you but if they carry sports supplements they should have it.