Paleo Chocolate Protein Balls (no dates)

These healthy Paleo Chocolate Protein Balls are the perfect bite-sized snack!

You just need 10 minutes, 5 ingredients and one bowl for chewy, chocolate-y balls packed with protein and healthy fats.

Plus they’re gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, with no dates and no oats. And  you can make them vegan and nut-free!

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Paleo Chocolate Protein Balls

Sometimes we need a healthy, filling snack.

And sometimes we just want chocolate.

Luckily these Paleo Chocolate Protein Balls combine both in one easy snack!

You just combine 5 ingredients (plus water) in a bowl, stir them together, roll into balls and you’re done!

No food processor needed.

And they’re no-bake protein balls so there’s no need to turn on your oven, either.

Kids and adults alike love them!

 

What you need for Paleo Chocolate Protein Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup protein powder, chocolate or plain* (for a Paleo option, I like Left Coast plain protein powder or chocolate protein powder)
  • For vegan protein balls – use vegan protein powder
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
• 1/2 cup nut butter of your choice:
  • For Paleo chocolate protein balls – use almond butter, cashew butter, sunbutter or thick tahini
  • For chocolate peanut butter protein balls – use creamy peanut butter (but they won’t be Paleo)
  • For protein balls with no nuts – use sunbutter or thick tahini
• 4 teaspoons cacao nibs or chopped Paleo chocolate (optional, gives the balls a bit of crunch and texture)

 

*It obviously makes the most sense to use chocolate protein powder here but I’ve found most chocolate powders either are high in sugar or have ingredients that I don’t tolerate well (monk fruit) or don’t like the taste of (stevia).

So I’ve used plain protein powder but I swear the cocoa powder is more than enough chocolate flavor.

But you could of course use chocolate protein powder if you have one you like – they’ll be extra chocolate-y and delicious.

 

Equipment:

• a large mixing bowl
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups
• a wooden spoon or spatula (the kind for stirring, not flipping)
• a small cookie scoop with lever (optional), measuring spoon or regular spoon
• an airtight container

How to make Paleo Chocolate Protein Balls

Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir until combined.

Then, using a small ice cream/cookie scoop, a measuring spoon or a regular spoon, scoop up 1 tablespoon/1″-sized clumps and roll them between your palms to smooth out into balls.

You can eat them immediately but they’re also great straight from the fridge after they’ve had time to set (which takes about an hour).

 

Substitutions and variations

• As I said above, you can use any nut butter. Just make sure it’s on the thicker side (not too runny) as this helps bind the balls together.
• You can use honey or date syrup instead of maple syrup.
• You can add a drop or two of flavored extracts – choose any flavor you like with chocolate, such as vanilla, mint, almond or orange.

 

Make ahead/storage

These can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.

They can also be frozen: place the balls on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen through (about 2-3 hours), transfer to a freezer-safe container or baggie.

The balls can be frozen for up to one month.

Thaw overnight in the fridge.

 

Other recipes you might like:

1. PB&J No-Bake Energy Bites (Paleo, vegan, nut-free)
2. Crunchy, Chewy No-Bake Breakfast Bars (Paleo, vegan, nut-free)
3. Spiced Candied Pecans (Paleo, gluten-free)
4. Chocolate Tahini Smoothie (Paleo, vegan, nut-free)

 

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