Chocolate and Peanut Butter Protein Balls
With only 8 ingredients, these sweet and salty protein balls will be your new favourite snack!
Servings 10 balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup protein powder unflavoured or vanilla
- ¼ cup Rice Krispies or other puffed rice cereal
- ¼ cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- 1 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Chocolate coating
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together the peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup until smooth.
- Add in the protein powder, Rice Krispies and shredded coconut and stir until well combined. If the dough isn't rolling smoothly, add 1 tbsp of water to the dough and mix well.
- Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out about 1 tbsp of the mixture and roll into a ball. Place on a plate or baking tray lined with parchment paper. Roll the remaining dough into balls. Place them in the freezer for 10 minutes to harden slightly.
- While the balls are in the freezer, make the chocolate coating. In a small, microwaveable bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring in between each, until it is melted and smooth.
- Prepare your coating station. You can use a plate or baking tray lined with parchment paper. Alternatively, place a piece of parchment paper under a baking cooling rack.
- Drop the hardened ball into the melted chocolate and roll it around with a fork or spoon until it is evenly coated in chocolate. Gently remove it from the chocolate, scrape off any excess and place it on a plate, tray or rack. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Optional: add a drizzle of melted peanut butter or a sprinkle of sea salt on top.
- Place the coated protein balls in the freezer or fridge for an additional 10-20 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened. Enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions
- Natural peanut butter
- I use regular peanut butter in this recipe but a natural or organic option would work as well. You may need to add 1-2 tbsp of water for the dough to roll better if the nut butter is too dry.
- Alternative nut or seed butter
- Instead of peanut butter, you can also try different types of nut or seed butter if you prefer. For example, almond or cashew butter.
- Chocolate protein powder
- If you want a super chocolatey flavour throughout each bite, try using a chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla!
- Honey or alternative liquid sweetener
- Use either of these if you prefer over maple syrup.
- If your protein powder is already sweetened, you may not need to add this at all. It’s up to you and your preference.
- Mini chocolate chips (white, milk, semi-sweet or dark)
- Feel free to play around with the size and type of the added chocolate.
Dietary considerations
These protein balls are naturally vegetarian.- Gluten free: opt for a gluten-free puffed rice instead of Rice Krispies and ensure your protein powder is certified gluten free.
- Dairy free: use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Nut free: use a seed butter instead of peanut butter.