Dark Chocolate Chunk No Bake Protein Balls {2 Ways}

No Bake Protein Balls packed with health benefits from dates, dark chocolate chunks, and chocolate flavored pea protein. Delicious, chewy, Dark Chocolate Chunk No Bake Protein Balls make the perfect healthy nut free lunchbox idea or post-workout snack! This no bake protein bites recipe is gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegan, and nut free.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bob’s Red Mill. I adore their products, so of course I’m excited to use their protein nutritional booster in this no bake protein balls recipe! Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Cotter Crunch!

It probably comes as no surprise that I’m hooked on easy snack ideas. My recipes for no bake protein bites and balls and bars don’t get any easier to make, and I’ve created so many recipes for them that there’s a category in the recipe index of this website devoted specifically to no bake bites.

But I don’t just love them because they’re easy to make. They’re PORTABLE! If I’m in a rush in the morning, they’re a grab-n-go breakfast. When we return from a hike,  I reach into the freezer to find a little delicious protein rich snack waiting for me. These balls ….errr bites to put it more eloquently, will hold over the hanger (hunger + anger) that unleashes from within. Don’t tell me you’ve never been there, because I know you have.

Are you picturing that Snickers commercial now? Haha, okay, I digress! Let’s bring the focus back onto healthy snacking and protein balls, not divas and candy bars .

The thing is, this bite sized dark chocolate snack may be small in size, but the little babies are packed BIG with health benefits!

Plus, all you need are 5-6 ingredients.

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate Chunk No Bake Protein Balls

• Rich in plant based iron and Omegas from chia seeds (oh, recipes with chia seeds, how I love thee)
• Naturally sweetened snack – You don’t need to add honey or a syrup. We’re using dates as natural sweetener and for added fiber (these toasted coconut banana muffins are naturally sweetened, too!)
• The no bake protein balls recipe is grain free, gluten free, nut free, vegan, and dairy free!
• High in protein – Bob’s Red Mill Protein Nutritional Booster contains fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics

But hold up ya’ll, it gets better! Bob’s Red Mill protein powder has even MORE good for you goodness! Straight from the mouth of Bob (okay maybe not Bob personally, but his website), here are the specifics on the pea protein powder:

• 20g plant-based protein per serving
• 12g fiber per serving (9 g soluble fiber)
• Beneficial Bacillus coagulans probiotics (hello, healthy gut!)
• Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
• 35% RDA iron per serving
• Gluten free
• Vegan
• No soy ingredients
• No dairy ingredients
• Sweetened with monk fruit

The nutrition-boosting protein powder comes in vanilla or chocolate flavors, so you can use it in pretty much anything your brain can dream up. Which of course, I gladly did. Chocolate Chunk Vanilla and Chocolate Chunk Chocolate No Bake Protein Bites.

 I hope I have convinced that the double chocolate protein balls recipe is worth making. 

But if not, let me justify some more. Mmm k?

Oh yes, it is! LOOK >>>

• NO baking necessary! It can be 107 F. in the shade and you won’t break a sweat making this vegan no bake snack!
• Easy to make and take!
• Superfood FUEL snacks for kids. Talk about kid friendly! I mean, seriously. Do you know a kid who doesn’t like chocolate? These no bake protein bites are great for peanut-free school snacks or post workout snacks.

Dark Chocolate Chunk No Bake Protein Balls

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★★★★★

4.9 from 7 reviews

• Author: Lindsay Cotter
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 20
• Category: snack
• Cuisine: American

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Description

These no bake protein balls (chocolate and vanilla chocolate chunk!) are a healthy nut free lunchbox idea or post-workout snack, made with pea protein nutritional booster! Grain free, dairy free, vegan, and nut free recipe.

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Ingredients

• 10 dates – best soaked for 20 minutes
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup (55 g) Bob’s Red Mill chocolate pea protein or Vanilla pea protein
• 2-3 tbsp coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips and/or dark chocolate chunks
• Optional unsweetened cocoa powder (1 tbsp)
• Extra melted dark chocolate to drizzle

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Instructions

1. First, soak your dates in purified water for 20 minutes. This just helps to soften before you blend. That way you don’t have to use a syrup or nut butter to bind.
2. Place soaked dates and sunflower seeds in a food processor. Blend until batter is mixed and combined. This usually takes around 2 minutes or so. Scrape sides between blending.
3. Place date and sunflower seed mix into a larger bowl. Mix in your protein powder, vanilla, coconut milk and chocolate chips. If you are making the chocolate chunk chocolate protein balls, add in your extra cocoa powder (if desired) as well.
4. Roll into golf ball size balls. Place on a baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes.
5. While balls are are freezing, melt the extra dark chocolate on stove or microwave.
6. Remove protein balls from freezer and drizzle with melted dark chocolate on top.
7. Place back in freezer for another 10 minutes.
8. Once the chocolate has set, place balls in a storage container (or ziplock bag) and store in freezer or fridge until ready to eat.

See notes for binding tips and storage.

Notes

• Store in freezer for up to 3 months
• If the batter is hard to bind or roll after mixing, stir in a few tbsp of maple syrup or a sunflower seed butter.
• NUTRITION TIPS – 3 bites would be equivalent to a protein bar with 9-12 grams of protein and 240-250 calories.

Nutrition

• Calories: 85
• Sugar: 7
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 to 4g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: protein balls, energy bites, snacks, vegan, plant based, dairy free, nut free, chocolate

Okay, now who’s ready to be a baller? Haha, sorry, just had to go there.

Favorite protein ball or energy bite recipe? 

Keep up with the compassionate fun loving Bob’s Redmill on social media. They are full of gluten free inspiration! Facebook, Twitter   Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest

Cheers!

LC