These Date Nut Butter Protein Balls are the perfect healthy meal-prep snack. A quick healthy bite that will satisfy your sweet tooth. They are gluten-free, refined sugar-free and you don’t even need to turn on the oven.
Whenever I say that I have dessert every day, people ask me how I can still be in shape. My answer is quite simple. First things first, I allow myself to eat a bit of everything in moderation. Over the last few years I have let go of food restrictions, and this keeps me from overeating on “forbidden foods”.
Second secret is making my own healthy desserts at home, with wholesome ingredients and better macros (protein, healthy carbs and fats ratio).
Anyone else trying to limit their intake of refined sugar but still struggling with a demanding sweet tooth? There are all kinds of theories about WHY we crave sweet food but I’m more interested in figuring out HOW to satisfy my sweet tooth without putting refined sugar in my body.
The struggle is real — I’m trying hard to minimize the amount of sugar that I consume and today I’m sharing my simple secret to satisfying my own sweet cravings – dates. Natures natural sweetener and I do love the sweetness that they add to almost any recipe.
Dates are a super fruit! They’re a great source of nutrients and vitamins such as potassium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and K, calcium and iron, which contribute to various health benefits. They also provide a natural energy boost and are low on the glycemic index so your blood sugar won’t spike when eating them.
They are little morsels of natural sugar and a great alternative to refined sugars. If you haven’t cooked with dates yet, you have so many delicious uses just waiting to be discovered!
Who invented the protein snack ball and when is a mystery, but in my mind they became popular around the time of the paleo and raw food movements. All of a sudden there were big jars at cafe counters offering plant-based, grain-free snacks in loads of different flavours and then the recipes soon followed.
My super popular healthy protein balls have a deep caramelly flavour from the dates and the combination of coconut and cocoa gives off lamington vibes. And one of the best things about these power snacks, despite being moreish, because they are so filling, you can stop at one!
If you are looking for a sweet treat that’s equal parts indulgent and wholesome then this recipe is for you. Meet your new snack obsession: date protein balls!
Whether you call them protein, snack, energy balls, bliss balls, truffles or “the reason you smile,” these tasty delights are here to steal the snack spotlight.
Chocolate and nut butter is a match made in heaven, am I right? So it’s no surprise that one of the first no bake energy bites recipes on the blog was created out of chocolate and peanut butter too.
That’s where these Date Nut Butter Protein Balls come in! A lot of the recipes on social media sites were mostly simple carbs and healthy fats but low in protein, so I set out to write my own recipe that made sure there was actually a significant amount of protein in it!
Luckily the important of protein and its popularity is currently surging, driven by increased awareness of its health benefits and fueled by social media trends. Consumers are actively seeking out higher-protein foods and beverages for various reasons, including weight management, increased energy, and satiety.
A well-balanced diet with proper ratios of macro nutrients (protein, healthy carbs and fats) provides all of the: energy you need to keep active throughout the day. nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy and help to prevent diet-related illness.
When you find your optimal balance and amounts of macro nutrients, you take a major step toward reaching your health goals and this balance has been improved in this recipe by the addition of healthy protein.
Your body can only absorb around 25-30 grams of protein at one time and you likely need 80-100 plus grams a day so its important to spread it over all meals and snacks throughout the day so you can meet your required amount.
Now that you know how to make date protein balls the easy way, there’s no reason not to try them out for yourself. Whip up a batch today and enjoy the perfect bite-sized treat that’s sure to please your taste buds and fuel your day!
Sweet, sticky dates act as the glue for these no-bake protein balls. Perfect for hikes or during sports, this healthy snack travels well. A healthy bite that will satisfy your sweet tooth. And you don’t even need to turn on the oven. Talk about a win-win!
Date Nut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1 cup oat flour (oats blended to a flour)
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut (or any other nut or seed) butter
- 2 scoops protein or collagen peptides powder
- 2-4 tablespoons any milk
Chocolate Drizzle
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- In a food processor add dates, oat flour, cocoa powder, peanut butter, protein powder and half the milk. Mix until well combined and it becomes a thick paste. If it seems a bit dry add more milk a tablespoon at a time until it comes together. You want it to stick together when pinched between your fingers.Add the cashews and pulse a couple of times to combine. Some of the cashews will stay whole or be in chunks and that is perfectly fine. I love the extra crunch!Get a small bowl with water ready as you prepare the balls. To begin creating these bites, grab a cookie scooper and scoop a ball into the palm of your hand. Wet your other hand with the water in the bowl and begin forming it into a ball. This will create smooth bites. Once they are done, place them in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 12 balls or more smaller ones.
Chocolate Drizzle
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave with 15 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Once melted, using a spoon, drizzle on top of the bites as little or as much as you like. Place back in the fridge for 10 minutes until the chocolate hardens. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
