This peanut butter chocolate protein balls recipe makes for the perfect keto friendly, vegan, gluten free, low carb, and no bake snack for fuelling tired muscles after a workout!
Take a time machine back to 2017 and you will likely see a slew of energy balls / energy bite recipes filling your Pinterest and Instagram feeds. I know I myself have a few on the blog (like these delish gluten free energy balls with peanuts and cherries. And while there are definitely times of days when I need a good hit of carbohydrates (like before a workout, or in the morning), I also get that a lot of you have been asking for recipes that are keto friendly and no carb. So I went on a mission to develop an awesome vegan, gluten free, no bake peanut butter chocolate protein balls recipe that is perfect for refuelling tired muscles after a hard workout.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR THESE PROTEIN BALLS
Peanut Butter – This recipe uses both natural peanut butter, for texture, and powdered peanut butter, for extra fibre and protein. I am obsessed with powdered peanut butter and love to add it to my baking and snacks whenever I can. But If you don’t have it on hand, you can certainly stick to regular peanut butter and add in some extra protein powder and flax seed for a fibre boost.
Chocolate Protein Powder – This recipe uses vegan chocolate protein powder. But if you’re not vegan, you can use any protein powder that you prefer. If you don’t have chocolate protein powder, specifically, you can use whatever protein powder you have on hand and add a teaspoon or two of cocoa powder.
Almond Flour – Almond flour gives this keto recipe an extra fat and protein boost. If you’re not interested in making these protein balls keto or prefer them to be lower in fat, you can totally eliminate this ingredient all together.
Flax & Hemp Seed – for those omega 3s baby!!
How to Make these Vegan Chocolate Protein Balls
This recipe is surprisingly simple and starts with your favourite protein powder. If you don’t want these protein balls to be vegan, you can totally use a whey based protein powder, but I used a chocolate flavoured vegan option. Feel free to play with the flavours if you have something else in the house!
I then add in some high fat, high protein almond flour, powdered peanut butter for fibre and protein, natural peanut butter for texture (instead of dates or maple syrup), and some flax and some hemp hearts for Omega 3s. You can also use any kind of nut butter if you prefer, but I do recommend using a natural nut butter with no added salt or sugar. These peanut butter chocolate protein balls come together in legit 10 minutes, and are naturally vegan, gluten free and loaded with high quality protein. I like to keep them in the freezer and then pull out one or two to bring with me to the gym since they will typically thaw out within an hour or so and are totally safe at room temperature for at least a week.
Each energy boosting keto friendly protein ball contains 100 calories, 6.5 grams of healthy fat, 9 grams of protein, and only 4 grams of carbs, making them a super awesome snack to keep on hand for satisfying your hunger and satisfying your sweet tooth.
FAQ ABOUT THIS RECIPE
Here are some questions I commonly get asked about this protein ball recipe.
WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF PEANUT BUTTER?
If you’re not a peanut butter stan or if theres an allergy concern, you can substitute for any nut butter you have on hand. Otherwise, you can also try using dates, maple syrup, honey or prunes.
how can i achieve the chocolate flavour if i don’t have chocolate protein powder?
No biggie! You can totally use whatever protein powder you have on hand (if using) and add in some cocoa powder to get the chocolate flavour that we want. If you’re impartial to making them chocolate flavour and would rather have them be on the more peanut butter-y side, you can totally eliminate this ingredient and follow the recipe as it.
what else can i add to these protein balls?
If you want these chocolate protein balls to have more oomph, you can add to the food processor OR roll the balls in coconut flakes, sesame seeds, chia seed, cacao powder, maca powder, matcha powder. You can honestly roll these suckers in anything that meets your hearts desire!
Do you have any other post workout snack recipes?
Absolutely! Here are some of my favourites.
VEGAN PROTEIN BARS 3 WAYS APPLE PIE PROTEIN GRANOLA CUPS
HIGH PROTEIN AVOCADO TOAST ENERGY BALLS WITH PEANUTS AND CHERRIES
Now loves, let me know – what are some of your favourite post workout snacks? Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Balls Recipe
Ingredients
Balls:
- 3/4 cup Chocolate protein powder vegan if desired
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup powdered peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
Topping:
- 2 tbsp finely chopped peanuts
- 2 tbsp hemp hearts
Instructions
- To a food processor, process the protein powder, almond flour, powdered peanut butter, flax, water, and natural peanut butter until it forms a smooth ball.
- Roll into 20 balls, then roll into the peanuts and hemp hearts. Freeze for long term storage, or keep at room temp for a week.
Nutrition
Updated on October 23rd, 2020
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Sushma V says
Hey Abbey ! I don’t have almond flour so I had left them out and had made them but they have turned out suuper sticky and like a paste ! Any fix ? Can I add more protein powder or peanut butter powder? Help !
Abbey Sharp says
yes more protein powder or peanut butter should work!
Angela says
Hi Abbey, do you think plant based milk would work instead of water for this recipe? Thanks!
Brittney Cannamore says
Can you sub anything for the protein powder? I’m waiting for mine to come in the mail 🙂 Thanks!
Abbey Sharp says
You can try adding in some extra hemp hearts (about 3-4 tablespoons). They will still be lower in protein vs using a powder but they’re still a good substitute
Angela says
I love energy balls! These look amazing and of course PB & chocolate are my favorite combo…YUM!!!
Abbey Sharp says
so so good!
Natalie says
Wow these balls are loaded with healthy stuff … and so nutritious. Looks super delicious too. I love chocolate PB combo so I will definitely give this recipe a try.
Abbey Sharp says
Thank you!