No Bake Protein Balls packed with health benefits from dates, dark chocolate chunks, and chocolate flavored pea protein. These delicious, chewy bites 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!
Easy Snack Ideas for Busy Days
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 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 you that the double chocolate protein balls are worth making.
But if not, let me justify some more. Mmm k?
Easy to Make No-Bake Snack
- 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 balls are great for peanut-free school snacks or post workout snacks.
Dark Chocolate Chunk No Bake Protein Balls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 1x
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.
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 Tablespoons coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips and/or dark chocolate chunks
- Optional 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- Extra melted dark chocolate to drizzle
Instructions
- First, soak the dates in purified water for 20 minutes. This just helps to soften before blending. They’re used as a binder in this recipe.
- 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.
- Place date and sunflower seed mix into a larger bowl. Mix in the protein powder, vanilla, coconut milk and chocolate chips. If you are making the chocolate chunk chocolate protein balls, add in the extra cocoa powder (if desired) as well.
- Roll into golf ball size balls. Place on a baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes.
- While balls are are freezing, melt the extra dark chocolate on stove or microwave.
- Remove protein balls from freezer and drizzle with melted dark chocolate on top.
- Place back in freezer for another 10 minutes.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: snack
- Cuisine: American
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
Hi, it says in the description that these use chia, but I don’t see chia in the recipe… am I missing something? Thanks!
Hi Gretchen! Sorry for the confusion. The plant based protein powder we used had chia seed in it. But we will be sure to update that. You don’t need chia seed. What protein do you have on hand?
Thank you! I have some vanilla pea protein at home so I’ll use that. I look forward to trying these!
Does it make a difference if I use vegan vs non-vegan dark chocolate? I followed the recipe to the letter and when I combined batter into mixing bowl, it all turned to mud. I ended up lining a baking dish and making protein bars instead of balls. I oiled my hands, tried using gloves, tried refrigerating mixture for a bit before rolling but nothing worked. It all just clumped together in my hand like grainy mud.
The chocolate doesn’t make a difference, but the protein does. Did you use a pea protein?
Hi Lindsay, My daughter is nut-free and also allergic to coconut. Do you think I could use soy milk in place of the coconut milk? Thank you!
Yes!
and keep me posted on how they turn out. 🙂
Hello! I am so excited to try these with my dairy/nut allergic son! However he is also allergic to sunflower seeds. 🙁 any other replacement that’ll would try in these? He just passed his almond challenge so perhaps slivered almonds instead? Thanks so much, Lindsay!
Totally understand! I think slivered almonds or pumpkin seeds would work great! Or even pistachio.
No bake recipes ALWAYS get my attention! You add chocolate to the mix and I’m sold. I’ll be trying this recipe out for sure
IN LOVE WITH THESE.
wow, the chocolate cake looks delicious and very attractive, thank you for sharing the recipe
★★★★
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
★★★★★
looks soo good and added date sin to it is soo extra sweetning..thanks for the delicious pics u have posted too
That chocolate drizzle though!
right? Heavenly!
These are basically the perfect snack!!
Please share with me:)
anything for you!
Oh my gosh Linds… I’m in LOVE! You know I’m all about the grab n go snacks and when they’re healthy, all the better! I’ve not tried Bob’s protein pows but will check em’ out! Dates are absolute magic… love this recipe!
oh friend, you would love their protein! It’s so versatile. Come over, we can make some! mmm k? #iwishyoulivedhere
Dates are my favorite sweetener.
you’re my fav…. sweet
HAHA I am ready! I love your corny jokes and these balls look amazing too!
haha always balls. 😉 p.s how are you?
LOVE all your protein bites and balls! These look fantastic!
oh thank you friend!
Love having these around the house!
★★★★★
Dates are delicious and love that the are the binder in this recipe!
★★★★★
Bob’s makes the BEST protein powders!
I could pop all of these!!
Rated 🙂
★★★★★
I love protein balls – I always have some in my freezer. It’s the perfect pre or post workout snack. Looks so delicious!
★★★★★
And perfect for road trips too! These would be a huge hot here for sure.
Love dark chocolate. Love no bake. Love protein balls. LOVE. 🙂
Brother. You know I’m a baller. LOL! Love your balls, as always. I’ve never used the date-soaking method… must try. Though I may just eat all the dates…
Chocolate and protein?! NEED THESE.
Love all the health benefits of these little bites! Delish!
★★★★★
Love that you used dates too! Great for energy