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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Treats » Healthy Double Chocolate Protein Balls

    Healthy Double Chocolate Protein Balls

    Published: Sep 23, 2020 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 74 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    A wooden bowl filled with round chocolate almond balls.

    Guilt-free, raw and healthy chocolate protein balls take just 5 minutes to prepare and have less than 70 calories per serve.

    A wooden bowl filled with round date, almond and chocolate protein balls.

    Protein balls (also known as bliss balls) make a great energy-boosting, healthy snack.

    Just like my original peanut butter protein balls, this chocolate version is sure to become a family favourite snack in no time!

    Date, almond and chocolate protein balls in a wooden bowl.

    Why Protein Balls Are So Good

    Protein balls make a great energy-boosting snack, lunchbox treat or post-workout pick me up.

    Here's why you're going to love them:

    • made from raw, natural ingredients
    • high in protein, healthy fats, carbs and fibre
    • energy-boosting
    • made with natural sweeteners
    • quick and easy to prepare... just 5 minutes!!!
    • freezer-friendly
    A close up shot of a round date, almond and chocolate protein ball showing nutty texture.

    What You Need

    To make my chocolate protein balls (that taste just like a cheeky chocolate treat), you'll need just 6 ingredients:

    • dates - you can use either pitted medjool or pitted dried dates for this recipe. Personally I prefer the texture and flavour of the medjool dates. If using dried pitted dates, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain and use as per the recipe.
    • almonds - use raw natural almonds.
    • honey - for a vegan option you can substitute the honey with either rice malt syrup or agave syrup. Adjust the amount of honey used based on how sweet you like your protein balls to be.
    • vanilla extract
    • cocoa powder - or substitute with cacao powder
    • cacao nibs - these can be purchased from the health food aisle of any major supermarket or from health food stores. Alternatively, you can substitute the cacao nibs for dark chocolate chips or omit them entirely.
    All six ingredients in separate bowls for date, almond and chocolate protein balls.

    How To Make Protein Balls

    This simple 5 minute and 3 step recipe could not be any easier!

    Note: please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

    Step 1 - Place the dates, cocoa powder, honey and vanilla extract into a food processor, Thermomix or blender. Mix until smooth.

    Step 2 - Add the almonds and cacao nibs and mix until combined (it's fine for the mixture to still be a little chunky).

    Step 3 - Use your hands to roll the mixture into balls.

    A collage of 3 steps to making protein balls in a food processor.
    A hand holding a round date, almond and chocolate protein ball above a bowl of mixture.

    Storing & Freezing

    Protein balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Alternatively, they can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    Once removed from the freezer, bliss balls will defrost very quickly (within 10-20 minutes). Therefore, they can be placed into lunchboxes directly from the freezer and they'll be ready in time for a morning snack.

    Almond, date and chocolate protein balls in a wooden bowl on a white bench.

    Recipe Tips & FAQ

    What type of dates are best for protein balls?

    You can use either medjool dates or dried pitted dates when making protein balls, however, they hold different amounts of moisture which means that you’ll need to adapt the recipe slightly depending on which type of dates you’re using. I prefer to use medjool dates which are more moist than pitted dates. If using pitted dates, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before draining and using.

    How many calories is in 1 ball?

    These balls have 68 calories per serve.

    Are protein balls healthy for you?

    Protein balls should be consumed as part of a balanced and healthy diet. They are high in protein, fibre, healthy fats and carbs.

    What equipment do I need to make protein balls?

    You will need either a food processor, Thermomix, blender or Vitamix.

    Are these vegan?

    If you substitute the honey with rice malt syrup or agave syrup, then these protein balls are vegan.

    Processing the mixture

    The mixture is very sticky, so you'll need to scrape down the sides of your food processor partway through mixing.

    A half eaten chocolate protein ball on top of a pile of others in a small wooden bowl.

    More Healthy Snack Recipes

    While it's hard to find a healthier snack than my chocolate protein balls, these recipes all make simple, healthy snacks too:

    • peanut butter protein balls
    • salted caramel protein balls
    • healthy lemon and coconut balls
    • healthy apricot and coconut balls

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    A bowl of chocolate almond balls.

    Double Chocolate Protein Balls

    Guilt-free, raw and healthy chocolate protein balls that take just 5 minutes to prepare and have less than 70 calories per serve.
    5 from 23 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: healthy snacks
    Cuisine: western
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 35 serves
    Calories: 68kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 200 g medjool dates see notes
    • 2-3 tbs (40-60g) honey or substitute with agave syrup/rice malt syrup
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tbs (8g) cocoa powder or cacao powder
    • ¾ cup (105g) raw almonds
    • ½ cup (60g) cacao nibs or substitute with dark chocolate chips
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place the dates, honey, vanilla extract and cocoa powder into a food processor or Thermomix and blend until the mixture resembles a paste.
    • Add the almonds and cacao nibs and press pulse/turbo several times, until your desired texture is achieved.
    • Roll into tablespoon sized balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Ingredients Info: 
    • dates – you can use either pitted medjool or pitted dried dates for this recipe. Personally I prefer the texture and flavour of the medjool dates. If using dried pitted dates, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain and use as per the recipe.
    • almonds – use raw natural almonds.
    • honey – for a vegan option you can substitute the honey with either rice malt syrup or agave syrup. Adjust the amount of honey used based on how sweet you like your protein balls to be.
    • vanilla extract
    • cocoa powder – or substitute with cacao powder
    • cacao nibs – these can be purchased from the health food aisle of any major supermarket or from health food stores. Alternatively, you can substitute the cacao nibs for dark chocolate chips or omit them entirely.
    More Recipe Tips:
    Storing - Protein balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
    Freezing - Alternatively, they can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
    Vegan option - If you substitute the honey with rice malt syrup or agave syrup, then these protein balls are vegan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linn Tollofsen

      January 24, 2021 at 1:30 pm

      Could I add protein powder instead of the almonds? Or can I potentially add protein powder?

      Reply
      • Lucy

        January 25, 2021 at 6:05 pm

        Absolutely! I wouldn't replace the almonds but I would add a scoop of protein powder along with a tiny bit more honey or medjool dates.

        Reply
    2. Marion

      October 14, 2020 at 11:24 pm

      What could you sub in instead of almonds to make them school friendly?

      Reply
      • Lucy

        October 15, 2020 at 6:23 am

        You could try oats!

        Reply
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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

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