Have you seen these yet? Silly question, I know, because you probably have since they're all over Pinterest these days. These little balls that they're calling protein balls, raw balls, or cookie dough balls.
Well, if you haven't seen them yet, I'm about to introduce you. These little balls are delicious and packed with all this good for you stuff to help you survive that afternoon slump we all get between the hours of 2-5 p.m. Or they're great to pop in before or after a workout.
Whenever you eat one of these little balls, they're sure to put a little kick in your step. And they help curb any sweet cravings you have too! I'm speaking from experience here because these little balls helped me during my Sugar Crush Challenge last month. If it weren't for these little balls, I might not have survived and ate up all the sugar in sight!
I keep referring to them as "little balls" when in fact they should be called little protein bites. These protein bites might be little in size, but they're just enough to help pick you up or satisfy any sugar cravings without adding a lot of calories to your daily intake.
And you can make them in different flavors like I did here by rolling them in cocoa powder, unsweetened coconut flakes, or both. Or you can add nuts and dried fruit. The possibilities are endless.
No Bake Protein Bites
Little bites of protein
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Yield: 15, depending on how big you make them
Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 6 Medjool dates, pitted and pureed
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup cocoa nibs
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes for rolling (optional)
- 2 teaspoons dark cocoa powder for rolling (optional)
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In the microwave, warm peanut butter and honey in a small cup, if needed to help make stirring easier. No more than 25 seconds should help warm them. Set aside.
- Measure coconut and grind in a blender or food processor until coconut flakes become finely ground.
- In a medium to small bowl, add the coconut along with warmed peanut butter and honey. Mix together well with a wooden spoon. Mixture will be sticky.
- Blend in melted coconut oil and pureed dates, mixing well.
- Make sure mixture is not too warm before adding in cocoa nibs because you don't want them to melt. If too warm, place mixture in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes, then fold in cocoa nibs.
- Gently roll about 1 Tablespoon or smaller of mixture between your palms until a ball is formed. If mixture is too sticky, place in refrigerator for 30 minutes before making ball shapes.
- You can roll in either cocoa powder or flaked, unsweetened coconut before placing on prepared cookie sheet.
- Place cookie sheet in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let balls set up.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator before serving.
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Shared with: Busy Monday 161, Savoring Saturdays
