Gluten-Free Chocolate Protein Balls Recipe

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.  I’ve created a yummy snack – Gluten-Free Chocolate Protein Balls. These tasty little snack balls are packed with protein and because there’s no refined sugar, this simple recipe is a great way to enjoy a guilt-free chocolate fix. Even the kids will love it!

We found out three weeks ago that Nathan, our twelve year, has wheat intolerance. Since I’m still dealing with health issues myself (adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism), I decided our whole family needed to take the leap.  

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 even need to take it a step farther and go Paleo, depending on the results of my recent blood work.

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 good. (Again, it’s my oldest 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 where I created this simple Gluten-Free Chocolate Protein Ball recipe.

With 7 simple ingredients and a super quick prep time – just 5 minutes, you can enjoy these delicious chocolate snack balls in no time. You can eat them right away after making them or refrigerate them to let the flavors blend together. These snack balls are yummy either way!

If your children are used to sweeter things, you may want to increase the amount of honey slightly (see the recipe notes section). My kids weren’t a huge fan of my original chocolate protein balls recipe because it wasn’t sweet enough for their liking. I simply increased the honey and used peanut butter instead of almond butter and they were thrilled. I still prefer less honey and use unsweetened almond butter for a more clean snack. That’s up to you. 

How to Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Protein Balls:

The ingredients are simple: (gluten free) oats, almond butter, flaxseed, honey, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and cacao powder. Together these ingredients pack a lot of goodness and flavor into a small little protein ball. 

*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 mixer instead. The food processor simply blends everything quicker and more evenly.

Put all the ingredients into your food processor:

Process for a few seconds or so until everything is mixed.

Shape into 1-inch balls. 

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

Chocolate Protein Balls

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

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

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Description

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

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Ingredients

• 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

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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.

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Notes

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