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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Cookie Dough Protein Balls

    Last Updated on September 8, 2022, First Published on January 15, 2022 9 Comments

    Prep 20 minutes minutes
    Total 20 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe

    Cookie dough protein balls are the perfect pre-workout snack containing 5 grams of protein per ball! They're also vegan and gluten-free!


    These cookie dough protein balls are the PERFECT little afternoon pre-workout snack. They're vegan, gluten-free, and made with just 8 good-for-you ingredients. And best of all, each ball contains 5 grams of protein!

    I love preparing a batch on the weekend and storing them in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week. They're also super customisable - make sure to check out my suggestions for ingredient swaps below!

    How to make protein balls

    Mix together the dry ingredients: oats flour, hemp seeds and protein powder. Then add the wet ingredients: almond butter, honey and vanilla.

    Gradually add oat milk to form a dough consistency, then stir in the cacao nibs and roll into balls!

    a protein ball with a bite taken from it

    Variations on this recipe

    These protein balls are delicious alone, but why not try one of these variations?

    • Substitute 1 tablespoon of oat flour for 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and swap the almond butter for peanut butter to make double chocolate protein balls
    • Substitute 1 teaspoon oat flour for 1 teaspoon matcha powder to make matcha protein balls - if you like matcha, I know you'll love my matcha smoothie bowl recipe!
    • If you're feeling extra decadent, coat the balls in a layer of melted chocolate. Mmmmm.
    a pile of protein balls on a tray

    FAQ

    Which protein powder is best for protein balls?

    You can use any protein powder of your choosing. I love the unflavoured soy isolate from bulk powders, but I've made these using flavoured protein powders too and the result is just as tasty!

    Make sure to slightly reduce the amount of honey when using a flavoured protein powder to avoid the protein balls becoming too sweet.

    What can I use instead of almond butter?

    Feel free to swap for your favourite nut butter or tahini/sunbutter to keep things nut-free. Try to buy a nut butter which is 100% nuts to avoid extra added sugars and oils. You could even make your own!

    I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you make it, please leave a rating + review below and share your photos on Instagram tagging #shivanilovesfood!

    protein balls on a tray

    Cookie Dough Protein Bites

    5 from 7 votes
    LEAVE A REVIEW PRINT RECIPE
    PREP20 minutes mins
    TOTAL20 minutes mins
    SERVES14 balls
    Cookie dough protein bites are the perfect pre-workout snack containing 5 grams of protein per ball! They're also vegan and gluten-free!
    Author: Shivani Raja

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup/ 50 grams Oats
    • â…› cup/ 20 grams Hemp Seeds
    • 2 scoops/ 50 grams Protein Powder of choice - if using flavoured then reduce the amount of honey to â…› cup and add more oat milk as needed
    • ÂĽ cup/ 65 grams Almond Butter sub your favourite nut butter or tahini/sunbutter to make it nut free
    • ÂĽ cup/ 85 grams Honey or maple syrup/agave
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • ÂĽ cup/ 65 ml Oat Milk or any plant-based milk
    • â…› cup/ 15 grams Cacao Nibs or mini dark chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • Add the oats to a blender and blend into a fine powder (this is oat flour!). You can also use a food processor for this.
    • Add the oat flour to a bowl along with the hemp seeds and protein powder. Mix the dry ingredients to combine.
    • Add in the wet ingredients: almond butter, honey and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Gradually add the oat milk and keep mixing until you have a cookie-dough consistency. The amount of milk you need will depend on what protein powder you use – some are more absorbent than others – so ensure to add it little-by-little! If you accidentally add too much milk, you can add more oat flour or protein powder to form a dough texture.
    • Stir in the cacao nibs or chocolate chips until they’re well incorporated in the dough.
    • Roll the mixture into balls – take a generous tablespoon of mixture in your hands and squeeze it together before rolling into a ball between your palms. If you’re finding you can’t roll the balls easily at this stage, adjust the consistency of the dough as needed by adding extra milk or oat flour.
    • Store the balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy!

    Video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhxgA1vSHtY

    Notes

    • Coat the protein balls in melted dark chocolate for a tasty treat!
    • To make chocolate protein balls, sub 1 tablespoon of the oats with 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder.
    • These protein balls last in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.   

     

    NUTRITION

    Serving size: 2 protein balls
    Calories: 149kcal | Fat: 4.3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 21mg | Carbohydrates: 19g | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 10.7g | Protein: 9.6g 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcal
    Tried this recipe?Mention @shivani.lovesfood or tag #shivanilovesfood!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Rating




    1. Michele

      January 23, 2022 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious and I love that they are gluten free! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Shivani Raja

        January 24, 2022 at 10:11 am

        You're welcome Michele!

        Reply
    2. Andrea

      January 23, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      5 stars
      These are perfect for me. I need the extra protein boost these give and I Love the cookie dough flavor.

      Reply
      • Shivani Raja

        January 24, 2022 at 10:10 am

        Isn't it divine? Glad you enjoyed 🙂

        Reply
    3. Stacey

      January 23, 2022 at 5:44 pm

      5 stars
      Totally love these as a quick and easy post workout snack! It's really nice that it's only 150 calories for 2 bites.

      Reply
      • Shivani Raja

        January 24, 2022 at 10:10 am

        Glad to hear that Stacey!

        Reply
    4. Colleen

      January 23, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love these protein balls! It's so easy to whip up a batch and always have a healthy post workout snack. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Shivani Raja

        January 24, 2022 at 10:09 am

        So glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    5. Mahy

      January 23, 2022 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      Fabulous snack idea! I love how easy it is to make these bites, too!

      Reply

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