Raw & guilt-free Peanut Butter Protein Balls that take just 5 minutes to make and are a great healthy snack, lunch box or post-workout treat.
Protein balls (also known as bliss balls) are the ultimate healthy on-the-go snack!
Simply prep a batch of Lemon & Coconut Balls, Salted Caramel Balls, Healthy 'Nutella' Balls or these Peanut Butter Protein Balls and you'll have healthy lunch box fillers, post-gym snacks or a sneaky late night treat ready to go!
What You Need
Made from just 5 raw ingredients, these energy boosting balls are perfect for health-conscious eaters:
- dates - you can use either medjool or dried and pitted dates in this recipe. If using medjool dates, omit the rice malt syrup as they have a soft, moist texture when compared to dried pitted dates.
- cocoa powder - you can use either regular cocoa powder or cacao powder for this recipe.
- peanut butter - natural and organic or regular peanut butter (crunchy or smooth) can be used for this recipe.
- raw almonds - these almonds are raw (not roasted). They give the protein balls a delicious crunch.
- rice malt syrup - if using dried pitted dates, you may find that you need to add a small amount of rice malt syrup (or honey) to bring the mixture together and allow it to be rolled into firm balls.
*scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities and method
Why You're Going To Love Protein Balls
These sweet and healthy protein balls have a delicious chocolate/peanut butter combination.
Here's why they're going to become a favourite in your house:
- healthy - these balls are made from raw ingredients - there's no additives, flavourings or nasties!
- protein-packed - great for a post workout pick-me-up, lunch box or after school snack
- energy boosting - the dates and almonds give you a nice little boost (and they're far healthier than reaching for a chocolate bar)
- 5 minute prep time - if you've got a food processor, Thermomix or blender, you'll have a batch of protein balls ready in just a couple of minutes
- less than 55 calories per serve - making them a deliciously healthy treat.
How To Make Protein Balls
The easiest way to make protein balls is to use a food processor, blender or a Thermomix... they'll do all the chopping and mixing for you!
Step 1 - Make a paste from the dates, cocoa powder and peanut butter
Use a food processor, blender or Thermomix to mix the ingredients until they resemble a sticky paste.
Step 2 - Add the almonds and rice malt syrup
Add the ingredients and blend until desired chunkiness is achieved.
Step 3 - Check the mixture
If your mixture is too dry, add 1 extra tablespoon of rice malt syrup (or honey) and pulse to mix through. Note: the mixture should be a little sticky and roll easily into balls when squished together.
Step 4 - Roll into balls
Use a spoon to roll the mixture into tablespoon sized balls.
Medjool vs Dried Pitted Dates
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.
Medjool Dates
Medjool dates are a soft, sticky date that can be bought from the fruit and vegetable section of the supermarket.
If you're using medjool dates in this recipe, you will only need a tiny bit of rice malt syrup (or none at all).
Dried Pitted Dates
Dried pitted dates contain little to no moisture and can be bought from the dried fruit aisle of the supermarket.
If you're using dried dates in this recipe, you'll need to add rice malt syrup (or honey) to make the mixture sticky enough to roll into balls.
FAQ
How long will protein balls last?
Protein bliss balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Can you freeze protein balls?
Yes! Protein bliss balls freeze perfectly for up to 3 months in an aright container - making them a great snack-on-the-go!
Can I replace the peanut butter with almond butter?
Yes - simply substitute the peanut butter for almond butter.
Can I use nuts other than almonds?
Yes - cashews, pecans, almonds and walnuts are all popular options for protein bliss balls.
Can you make bliss balls without nuts?
Yes you can! Here's some yummy nut-free protein ball recipes:
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.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 175 g (1 cup) pitted dates (dried or medjool)
- 2 tbs cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- 4 tbs peanut butter
- 150 g (1 and ½ cups) raw almonds
- 3-4 tbs rice malt syrup see notes
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Place the dates, cocoa powder and peanut butter into a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture resembles a paste.
- Add the almonds and rice malt syrup and blend until desired chunkiness is achieved.
- If your mixture is too dry, add 1tbs extra of rice malt syrup (or honey) and pulse to mix through. The mixture should be a little sticky and roll easily into balls when squished together.
- Use a spoon to roll the mixture into tablespoon sized balls.
- For best results, store in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within a week.
Thermomix Method
- Place the dates, cocoa powder and peanut butter into the Thermomix bowl and mix on Speed 6, 20 seconds (scraping down the sides of the bowl partway through).
- Add the almonds and rice malt syrup and press Turbo 10-15 times or until desired chunkiness is achieved. If your mixture is too dry, add 1tbs extra of rice malt syrup (or honey) and pulse to mix through. The mixture should be a little sticky and roll easily into balls when squished together.
- Use a spoon to roll the mixture into tablespoon sized balls.
- For best results, store in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within a week.
Notes
- dates – you can use either medjool or dried and pitted dates in this recipe. If using medjool dates, omit the rice malt syrup as they have a soft, moist texture when compared to dried pitted dates.
- cocoa powder – you can use either regular cocoa powder or cacao powder for this recipe.
- peanut butter – natural and organic or regular creamy peanut butter (crunchy or smooth) can be used for this recipe.
- raw almonds – these almonds are raw (not roasted). They give the protein balls a delicious crunch.
- rice malt syrup – if using dried pitted dates, you may find that you need to add a small amount of rice malt syrup (or honey) to bring the mixture together and allow it to be rolled into firm balls.
Larissa
Do you soak your dates before?? I made these last night and it was a dilemma haha! They got stuck in the bottom of the vita mix and the vitamin kept fusing, I had to add water then moved them to a food processor instead. Although the almonds wouldn’t break up in the food processor lots of them stayed whole. then when I was rolling them the mixture was just sticking to my hands - I ended up putting in some desiccated coconut and they rolled into balls better. Got there in the end haha
Just wondering if you soak your dates before you blend them ?? I’ve seen it done before bht not sure if it would help
Lucy Mathieson
Hi Larissa, if you're using pitted dried dates, you can absolutely soak them before (although I don't if I'm using a Thermomix). If you're using medjool dates, you shouldn't need to. Hmm that's odd about the almonds! Is it possible to get the blades sharpened (I've had to have this done for my Thermomix). And yep... the mixture can be quite sticky, add a bit of water to your hands before rolling and that will help too! xxxx
Maggie
These are the best - I've made them so many times and they're amazing for such wee little things with so few calories and so much indulgence!
Lucy Mathieson
Yay!!! they are amazing little bites!!!! xx
Jori
Recipe looks amazing! But I don't understand "12-15 dates (60 gram)", is 60 grams a mistake? Because that would only be 4 dates?
12 or 15 is big difference so would be very keen to hear the amount of grams you're recommending. Thanks so much, can't wait to make this!
Lucy Mathieson
Hi Jori, it depends if you're using medjool or dried pitted dates. Medjool dates weigh a lot more than dried pitted dates. 60g - 100g will work fine (bliss balls are very forgiving with adding extra dates!).
Amanda
I've been making these for a while, but recently realized that they're a great way to use up almond meal from making almond milk! I just dry it in the oven and freeze it until I'm ready to use it. Yummy and useful — double bonus!!
Lucy Mathieson
Hi Amanda, oh that's such a great idea!
Irene Rus
Just stumpled across this recipe and have eaten 2 already they are delicious.
Lucy Mathieson
Yay!! Enjoy! xx