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 thanks to the high protein and fat, and are 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.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Satisfying treat that will keep you full throughout the day.
- Grab and go for an easy snack or breakfast as you fly out the door.
- This recipe is one of my go-to’s in the mornings to help me stop snacking later on in the evenings.
- Kid-friendly (and adult-friendly, too!).
- Gluten and dairy-free, so everyone can enjoy it.
- Easy to make ahead and freeze.
- No refined sugar, so this simple recipe is a great way to have a guilt-free chocolate fix.
If you want even more easy energy ball recipes, check out my Matcha Green Tea No-Bake Energy Balls, Blueberry Energy Bites, and Spiced Almond Butter Balls, too.
Ingredients
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.
Both the ingredients and the process are simple. Together, these ingredients pack a lot of goodness and flavor into a small 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 this recipe. You can also use less honey if you want them to be 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.
How To Make Chocolate Protein Balls
First, put all the ingredients into your food processor (see recipe notes about using a blender).
Then, process for a few seconds or so until everything is mixed.
Next, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. Try to get them as uniform as possible.
That’s it! Enjoy right away or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Didn’t I tell you this is super easy to make?
Storage
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.
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 that 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.
Variations
Want to change it up? You easily can make these protein balls dozens of ways! Here are a few of our favorite variations:
- Peanut butter chocolate – swap out the almond butter for peanut butter. This is my kids’ favorite way of enjoying these!
- Make it minty – add a few drops of mint extract to the dough before shaping the balls.
- Add chocolate chips – unsweetened chocolate chips make a fun addition to these balls.
- Give it some crunch – after forming the balls, roll them in crushed almonds.
- Layer in coconut – unsweetened coconut is one of my favorite additions, along with a few drops of almond extract!
However you make these chocolate protein balls, I know you’ll love them! Enjoy!
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!
Chocolate Protein Balls
With no refined sugar, this simple chocolate protein balls recipe is a great way to enjoy a guilt-free chocolate fix.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 24 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup 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
- Add the ingredients into a food processor or mixing bowl. Process or mix until combined.
- Roll into 1-inch balls.
- 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.
Jenna Wood says
Yum, we make a vegan and gluten free ball that is similar but blueberry- I’ll definitely be trying this!
Jeannette says
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.
Vera Sweeney says
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!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Those look great! I bet my kids would enjoy these as a daytime snack!
Danielle H. says
These look delicious! I need to make these asap.
Felissa @ Two Little Cavaliers says
I love trying out gluten free recipes. This one sounds super tasty!
Krystal says
I recently made something similar and it was SO delicious! I really loved how I could take them to work!
Sarah says
Yum! these look really easy and so good. I’ll have to give them a try.
Mykidsguide says
The chocolate protein balls look absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
OMYum! These look absolutely delicious. I’ll definitely be making these for my kids.
Amanda says
These look awesome. I love the idea of making protein balls.I bet you could sub the cocoa powder for shakeology
emma says
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/
Erika says
Thanks, Emma. Your chocolate brownie balls look delicious!
Kayla says
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!
Erika says
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!
Anna says
Do you know the carbs, fats, and protein amounts for your protein balls?
Thank you! …And they are delicious!
Lukalouise says
How many calories per ball?
Heather C. says
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!
Erika says
Yes, I think they are chewy! 🙂
jo valencia says
Do you know calorie count per serving (1)?
robyn says
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
Erika says
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!
Elisha @UseHealthTips says
nowadays I see people going for gluten-free items, so health conscious!