3 Protein Ball Recipes: Cocoa, Nut-Free, & Peppermint Mocha

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Protein is our BFF. We’re happy when we’re hanging out with protein, and we’re cranky we skip out on it. Protein is essential in every diet, and are necessary to keep the body going daily. When you don’t get enough protein, you can have low energy levels, poor concentration, moodiness, and a sluggish metabolism. I’ve been working to find additional sources of healthy protein for breakfast and snacks, and protein balls (also known as protein bites or energy balls) are one of my answers! Everyone in the house loves protein balls and they are easy to make.

One of the best ways to make protein balls is with peanut butter, or other nut butters. Alas, my daughter won’t eat peanut butter. A shame, I know! (I think it has to do with her preschool being super anti-nut and it instilled a fear of peanuts into her at a young age.) But I love peanut butter. So I came up with different protein ball recipes — one that is nut-free and one with peanut butter. And as it is nearly December and I’m in full-on Christmas mode, I’ve also came up with a peppermint mocha protein ball…. because peppermint and mocha. Each protein ball’s recipe is below — pick the one that sounds the best, or make ’em all! I should note that all the protein balls use cocoa powder, because I’m a big fan of chocolate, too.

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Protein Balls Shopping List

Here’s what you’ll need when you go shopping. Some things you probably already have in your pantry, but some may be unusual. If you don’t like something, feel free to skip it. Protein balls are pretty forgiving. You just need a bunch of dry stuff and little wet and sticky stuff to keep it together.

• Oatmeal, rolled (aka old fashioned)
• Cocoa powder (100% cacao, not cocoa mix)
• Honey or sweetener of choice (maple syrup, brown sugar, etc.)
• Protein powder (I used Tera’s Whey dark chocolate protein powder)
• Vanilla extract
• Milk (you can use any milk, including dairy-free options … or even just water)
• Peanut butter or another nut butter (optional for cocoa-peanut butter balls)
• Chia seeds (optional)
• Flax seeds, ground (optional)
• Coconut, shredded and unsweetened (optional)
• Dates (optional for nut-free balls) — I used fresh Medjool dates
• Peppermint extra (optional for peppermint mocha balls)
• Finely ground coffee (optional for peppermint mocha balls) — I used my fancy 99.9% caffeine free coffee

Nut-Free Date-Coconut Protein Balls Recipe

• 1 cup of pitted dates
• 1/2 cup of shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup of oats
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup honey (or other sweetener)
• 1/3 cup chocolate protein powder
• 2 tablespoons of flax seeds
• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• 1/4 cup of milk

 

1. Mix everything in a blender (if you have no blender, don’t sweat it — just mix it up in a bowl).

Look for this consistency — a bit like moist dirt! 🙂

2. Form the mixture into balls.

3. Lightly cover a clean surface with shredded coconut and roll each ball in it (do this right after you roll them, or else the coconut won’t stick well).

4. Store protein balls in the refrigerator until you eat them.

Cocoa-Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey (or other sweetener)
• 1/3 cup chocolate protein powder
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1/4 cup of milk

1. Mix everything but the coconut together in a blender (if you have no blender, don’t sweat it — just mix it up in a bowl).
2. Form the mixture into balls.
3. Lightly dust a clean surface with cocoa powder and roll each ball in it (not too much, or it’ll be too bitter).
4. Store protein balls in the refrigerator until you eat them.

Peppermint-Mocha Protein Balls Recipe

• 1 cup of pitted dates
• 1/2 cup of oats
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• 1 tsp finely ground coffee
• 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
• 2 tablespoons of flax seeds
• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• 1/4 cup of milk
• Crushed peppermint candy for coating

1. Mix everything but the peppermint candy in a blender (if you have no blender, don’t sweat it — just mix it up in a bowl).
2. Form the mixture into balls.
3. Put the peppermint candy in a ziplock bag and beat it with the back of a spoon until it is crushed.
4. Lightly cover a clean surface with the crushed candy and roll each ball in it (do this right after you roll them, or else the candy bits won’t stick well).
5. Store protein balls in the refrigerator until you eat them.

Protein Ball Notes

• These are really easy to mix up — it takes only about 10 minutes and you can eat them right away.
• Each of the above recipes makes a dozen protein balls.
• If your mix seems too dry, add a little more milk or water. If it seems too moist, add more oatmeal!
• Protein balls can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two weeks or frozen for up to three months.

Love,