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5-Ingredient Protein Balls (Low Sugar, Grain-Free)

5-Ingredient Protein Balls make the perfect low sugar, grain-free snack that’s high in protein and incredibly delicious! Customizable depending on what protein powder you use. Just 20 minutes and 1 food processor required!

Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 20 (Balls)
Calories: 133 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

PROTEIN BALLS
  • 1 cup nut butter (we like almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower)
  • 3-5 pitted medjool dates* (add more for sweeter bites)
  • 2/3 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds (or sub other seeds, such as sesame or flax)
  • 3-4 Tbsp protein powder* (vanilla, flavored, or chocolate — or other flavor of choice)
FOR TOPPING optional
  • Melted dark chocolate (dairy-free as needed — we like Enjoy Life)
  • hemp seeds
  • desiccated coconut
  • sea salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add nut butter, pitted dates, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and protein powder to a food processor and blend until all ingredients are well combined and a cookie dough-like texture forms (see photo). 
  2. If too wet, add more dry ingredients of choice, such as protein powder or hemp seeds. If too crumbly or dry, add a little more nut butter. NOTE: These are meant to be on the tender side, so don't be concerned if they're a little soft (they'll firm up in the refrigerator or freezer).
  3. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more protein powder of choice for flavor or more dates for sweetness (if adding more dates, chop first to encourage even blending). Mix again until well combined.
  4. Scoop out rounded 1 Tbsp amounts and roll into balls (as recipe is written, ~20 // we love this scoop). Place on a parchment-lined plate or platter.
  5. Roll the balls in hemp seeds or desiccated coconut, or melt some dark chocolate in a double boiler on the stovetop, or in 20-second increments in the microwave, then spoon a small amount over the bites (all optional). Top with coconut or sea salt for added flavor (also optional). 
  6. Transfer balls to the freezer or refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes to firm up.  We recommend storing these in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer up to 1 month for best texture. They are delicious straight out of the refrigerator or freezer and tend to soften at room temperature.

Notes

  • *In place of dates, you could sub maple syrup to taste. Just add more dry ingredients of choice to offset the wetter texture. *The protein powder we used was Tropeaka Lean Vanilla protein. It does contain brown rice protein. If you need to keep this recipe grain-free, choose a grain-free protein, such as Nuzest. *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1balls Calories 133 (7%) Carbohydrates 6.6g (2%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 10.3g (16%) Saturated Fat 0.9g (5%) Sodium 11mg (0%) Potassium 191mg (5%) Fiber 2.6g (10%) Sugar 3.1g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20(Balls)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 133

% Daily Value*

Serving 1balls
Calories 133 7%
Carbohydrates 6.6g 2%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 10.3g 16%
Saturated Fat 0.9g 5%
Sodium 11mg 0%
Potassium 191mg 4%
Fiber 2.6g 10%
Sugar 3.1g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.