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Living Well Mom

Simple, easy, and natural ways to care for your family.

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Easy + Energizing Chocolate Protein Balls Recipe

By Erika in Recipes

gluten-freeThis post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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If you’re looking for a seriously easy and delicious on-the-go snack, look no further than these chocolate protein balls! They’re ultra-satisfying and loved by both kids and adults!

Even better? They are oh-so-easy to make, too! There’s no baking involved so this is a great recipe for kids to help with too.

Pinterest image for chocolate protein balls with almond butter this idea now...

Gluten-Free Treat

We’ve gone gluten-free (is that how you say it?), and I’ve been in the kitchen more than ever as I try new recipes.  

We found out that Nathan, our twelve-year-old, has a wheat intolerance. Since I’m still dealing with health issues of my own (adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism), I decided our whole family needed to take the leap into living gluten-free.

I tried the gluten-free diet almost a year ago but went back to regular eating after a few weeks. This time? It’s a lifestyle change. I may even need to take it a step farther and go Paleo – depending on my recent blood work results.

Today is day 17 of being gluten-free. And, aside from a somewhat reluctant husband (“I really have to give up pizza?!” “Yes, at least regular pizza.”) and the occasional snafu (a kind friend gave my three younger children brownies yesterday without my knowledge), we’ve been doing pretty well. But, again, it’s my oldest one that we have to really watch.

Oh, my husband? He comes home from work a few days ago and says, “I turned down pizza! That’s how much I love you!” (It’s true, that IS a big deal.) Then later, he says, “I had a cookie at work, though. Does that have gluten?” “Um, yeah, it does, hon.” Sigh.

Anyways…

I’ve tried to show my kids that it’s not the end of the world, and we can still enjoy delicious food without wheat. That’s why I created this simple Chocolate Protein Ball recipe. It’s so good, you won’t even realize it’s gluten-free.

Plus, this recipe is one of my go-to’s in the mornings to help me stop snacking later on in the evenings.

If you want more easy energy ball recipes, check out my Matcha Green Tea No-Bake Energy Balls, Blueberry Energy Bites, and Spiced Almond Butter Balls, too.

Delicious Chocolate Protein Balls

Now I’ve done it again. I’ve created a yummy snack – Gluten-Free Chocolate Protein Balls. These tasty little balls are packed with protein. Bonus: because there’s no refined sugar, this simple recipe is a great way to have a guilt-free chocolate fix.

With 7 simple ingredients and just 5 minutes of prep, you can enjoy this delicious snack in no time. This chocolate protein balls recipe is one you can enjoy right away after making them – or refrigerate them to let the flavors blend together. 

No matter when you choose to enjoy them, these snack balls are a yummy treat! Even the kids will love it! If your children are used to sweeter things, you may want to increase the amount of honey slightly (see the recipe notes section for more info).

My kids weren’t a huge fan of my original chocolate protein balls recipe because it wasn’t sweet enough for their liking. So I increased the honey and used peanut butter instead of almond butter. They were thrilled. 

I still prefer less honey and use unsweetened almond butter for a cleaner, guilt-free snack. That’s up to you.

Gluten-free protein balls on a blue plate.

Ingredients Needed For Gluten-Free Protein Balls

Both the ingredients and the process are simple. Together, these ingredients pack a lot of goodness and flavor into a small little protein ball.

  • Oats – If you want gluten-free bars, make sure you use certified gluten-free oats. Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often cross-contaminated in plants that process wheat. See recipe notes for more info about oats.
  • Almond Butter – Almond butter will give you a cleaner final product but might not taste as good to kids as peanut butter does. Any nut butter will work here, so use what you and your family prefer.
  • Flaxseed – Flaxseed is so hearty and imparts a delicious nutty flavor to the recipe.
  • Honey – If your kids want these protein balls to be a little sweeter, feel free to add a little more honey than I used in my recipe. You can also use less honey if you want them less sweet!
  • Coconut Oil – This provides more healthy fats, helps blend and hold the recipe together, and gives just a slight coconut flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract – I love adding vanilla extract to anything I can. No recipe is as tasty without it!
  • Cacao Powder – We’re using just enough to make you feel like you’re eating a cheat treat.
Ingredients for chocolate protein ball recipe including oats, almond butter and cacao powder.

How To Make Chocolate Protein Balls With Cacao Powder

First, put all the ingredients into your food processor (see recipe notes about using a blender).

Almond butter, oats, cacao powder, flax seed, honey, coconut oil and vanilla in a food processor.

Then, process for a few seconds or so until everything is mixed.

Protein ball mixture after ingredients were mixed together in the food processor.

Next, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. Try to get them as uniform as possible.

layout of printable recipe binder pages
Gluten-free chocolate balls rolled uniformly and placed in a lined bowl.

Enjoy right away or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Completed no-bake protein balls with cacao powder and honey for sweetener, displayed on a blue plate on a table.

Recipe Notes And Tips

I recommend steel-cut oats for this recipe, though you can use regular oats. Just make sure they are gluten-free if you’re avoiding wheat.

On the morning I was taking photos for this post, I discovered my kids had fed the rest of our steel-cut oats to the chickens. So, I had to settle for regular oatmeal. Sigh. Such is life!

Still, it goes to show that this chocolate protein balls recipe works either way.

I recommend using a food processor to make these protein balls, but you can use a regular blender instead. The food processor simply blends everything faster, easier, and more evenly.

These Chocolate Protein Balls will last in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you want to make these ahead of time and keep them for a later date, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Gluten-free protein ball mixture rolled up into uniform balls on a cutting board, with spoons of almond butter and cacao powder nearby.
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Chocolate Protein Balls

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

With no refined sugar, this simple chocolate protein balls recipe is a great way to enjoy a guilt-free chocolate fix.

  • Author: Erika Bragdon
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 24 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup gluten free steel cut oats
  • 3/4 cup almond butter (or other nut butter)*
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
  • 2 Tablespoons honey*
  • 1/2 Tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons cacao powder

Instructions

  1. Add the ingredients into a food processor or mixing bowl. Process or mix until combined.
  2. Roll into 1-inch balls.
  3. Enjoy right away or store in the refrigerator.

Notes

*For kid-approved chocolate snack balls, use peanut butter and add 1 or 2 tablespoons more honey.

More Snacks You’ll Love

  • Lemon Coconut Energy Balls
  • Bakery-Style Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
  • Peanut Butter Date Energy Balls
  • Peanut Butter Fruit Dip
  • Gluten-Free Apple Oatmeal Muffins
  • Old Fashioned Raisin Date Bars

Pin the image below to save the recipe for later!

Pinterest image for delicious 7 ingredient chocolate protein balls.

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    Filed Under: Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: gluten-freePublished on July 13, 2021

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    About Erika

    Erika Bragdon is a second-generation homeschooling mom with 3 kids at home and 1 in college. She lives in the beautiful hills of New Hampshire on a small farm and loves writing, baking, nature, and sharing flower essences and more natural solutions with moms.

    Comments

    1. Jenna Wood says

      August 18, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      Yum, we make a vegan and gluten free ball that is similar but blueberry- I’ll definitely be trying this!

      Reply
    2. Jeannette says

      August 18, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      Wow – these look amazing! I’ve been trying to snack better and this would be a snack that totally gave me energy! I can’t wait to try making them.

      Reply
    3. Vera Sweeney says

      August 18, 2015 at 8:10 pm

      I had to go Gluten Free for health reasons and it is crazy how much gluten is in things. This sounds amazing going to have to try these out!

      Reply
    4. Mama to 5 BLessings says

      August 18, 2015 at 8:27 pm

      Those look great! I bet my kids would enjoy these as a daytime snack!

      Reply
    5. Danielle H. says

      August 18, 2015 at 9:47 pm

      These look delicious! I need to make these asap.

      Reply
    6. Felissa @ Two Little Cavaliers says

      August 18, 2015 at 10:19 pm

      I love trying out gluten free recipes. This one sounds super tasty!

      Reply
    7. Krystal says

      August 18, 2015 at 10:47 pm

      I recently made something similar and it was SO delicious! I really loved how I could take them to work!

      Reply
    8. Sarah says

      August 18, 2015 at 11:33 pm

      Yum! these look really easy and so good. I’ll have to give them a try.

      Reply
    9. Mykidsguide says

      August 19, 2015 at 5:23 am

      The chocolate protein balls look absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to try your recipe.

      Reply
    10. Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says

      August 20, 2015 at 12:16 am

      OMYum! These look absolutely delicious. I’ll definitely be making these for my kids.

      Reply
    11. Amanda says

      August 21, 2015 at 2:28 pm

      These look awesome. I love the idea of making protein balls.I bet you could sub the cocoa powder for shakeology

      Reply
    12. emma says

      January 11, 2017 at 12:35 am

      Great recipe!
      Here is another good chocolate brownie balls recipe. Very easy to make. Best I’ve ever had!

      http://skinnygirlsguide.com/raw-chocolate-brownie-protein-balls-recipe/

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 11, 2017 at 12:54 pm

        Thanks, Emma. Your chocolate brownie balls look delicious!

        Reply
        • Kayla says

          January 25, 2017 at 6:15 am

          Erika, I found your recipe on Pinterest and I have a gluten intolerance because I have a genetic mutation called MTHFR based on what you and your son are dealing with i would HIGHLY suggest getting tested for this as 50% of people have the mutation do research as well because not many doctors know of this mutation although it is so common and it causes many issues I hope you are doing well God Bless!

          Reply
          • Erika says

            January 25, 2017 at 8:42 am

            Hi Kayla, I’m so happy to find someone else who knows about MTHFR! Yes, both my son and I – actually my whole family – have MTHFR. We discovered this about 3 years ago. It’s quite fascinating really. I’ll be posting an article about MTHFR next week. God bless you too!

            Reply
    13. Anna says

      March 14, 2017 at 12:34 am

      Do you know the carbs, fats, and protein amounts for your protein balls?
      Thank you! …And they are delicious!

      Reply
    14. Lukalouise says

      May 30, 2017 at 11:58 pm

      How many calories per ball?

      Reply
    15. Heather C. says

      September 17, 2017 at 5:58 pm

      This re pie looks yummy! Are they “chewie”? I have a recipe I’ve been making for a few weeks, they are relish but dry. Looking for new recipe to try!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        September 17, 2017 at 6:18 pm

        Yes, I think they are chewy! 🙂

        Reply
    16. jo valencia says

      October 19, 2017 at 2:00 pm

      Do you know calorie count per serving (1)?

      Reply
    17. robyn says

      October 13, 2018 at 9:17 pm

      They look great but I would love to know the calorie and fat numbers per ball. Even though they are healthy, I still have to count! thanks

      Reply
      • Erika says

        October 15, 2018 at 12:05 pm

        Hi Robyn, we are working on adding nutritional info to the recipes on my site. This is coming soon. 🙂 In the meantime, you can plug in the ingredients into a free calorie calculator site to find out. Thanks for visiting!

        Reply
    18. Elisha @UseHealthTips says

      January 17, 2019 at 6:38 pm

      nowadays I see people going for gluten-free items, so health conscious!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Erika and I’m the creator behind Living Well Mom.

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