Today, I've got the ultimate treat for you - Vegan Snickers Protein Balls!
These nutty little treats are not only mouthwateringly delicious but also packed with healthy goodness. Imagine sinking your teeth into a snack of rich, chocolatey goodness, with a surprise smooth peanut butter filling that just melts in your mouth. Yes, that's exactly what these vegan protein balls offer!
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These Vegan Protein Balls are the perfect blend of health and taste, making them an ideal snack or dessert. Made with a mix of hearty nuts, soft dates, and a generous helping of cocoa powder, they are a flavourful treat that you won't be able to resist.
Plus, the added peanut butter gives them a "Snickers" vibe that chocolate and peanut lovers will absolutely adore. The best part? They are incredibly easy to make! So give them a try and whip up a batch in your kitchen today!
❤️ What's Great About This Recipe
- It's vegan!
- Quick and easy to prepare, requiring just 15 minutes of prep time.
- Packed with protein and healthy fats from hemp seeds and peanuts, providing a great post-workout snack or a filling treat between meals.
- These peanut butter protein balls are full of healthy omega fats.
- Has the indulgent flavour of a Snickers bar but is much healthier!
- Versatile, as it can be enjoyed as a quick snack, dessert, or even breakfast on-the-go.
- It's also Gluten-free and made using only whole foods!
- It contains a mix of delicious textures – the softness of dates, the crunch of nuts, and the smoothness of peanut butter – for a satisfying mouthfeel.
- The protein balls can be stored for a week in the fridge or long-term in the freezer, allowing for easy meal prep.
- These are no bake protein balls, so you don't even need to fire up the oven to create these protein bites!
- No vegan protein powder required! All the natural plant protein comes from the nuts and seeds.
- This healthy snack is a great way to up your protein content with a tasty treat and satisfy any sweet tooth at the same time.
🌱 Ingredients & Notes
You only need a few simple ingredients for these easy no bake energy balls:
- Soft dates - Ensure they are pitted before using. Soft Medjool dates work well for this recipe!
- Mixed nuts - Any variety of your preference can be used. I used a mix of almonds, cashews, walnuts and hazelnuts.
- Hemp seeds - These are packed with protein!
- Linseed - Also known as flax seeds, these add an extra nutritional punch. If you don't have linseeds to hand, you can also use chia seeds for some healthy omega fats.
- Cocoa powder - For a chocolatey flavor. You can swap it for cacao powder or simply add your favorite chocolate protein powder for a little extra protein.
- Salt - A pinch is enough to enhance the flavors.
- Smooth peanut butter - For filling the protein balls and give them an ultimately gooey center! Make sure it's unsweetened and unsalted. Alternatively, you can use smooth almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower butter.
- Dark chocolate - Make sure it's vegan and melt before using to coat the protein balls.
- Crushed peanuts - This adds an extra layer of crunchy flavor! Alternatively, you can also coat these chocolate-y bliss balls with crunchy cacao nibs.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for detailed quantities and measurements.
🔪 Equipment
Here is all the equipment you need to make this recipe:
- Food Processor: This is required to blend the mixed nuts, hemp seeds, linseed, and dates. Choose a food processor with a powerful motor to ensure efficient blending.
- Refrigerator: Needed to chill the protein balls.
- Measuring Spoons: To accurately measure the hemp seeds, linseed, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Spoon or Piping Bag: This is used to create a hollow centre in the protein balls and fill it with peanut butter. If you don't have a piping bag, a small spoon will suffice.
- Stove or Microwave: Required to melt the dark chocolate for coating.
- Large Mixing Bowl: To combine the ingredients and form the protein balls.
🧑🍳 Instructions (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Preparation of Ingredients
Start by preparing your ingredients. Ensure your dates are pitted and your mixed nuts, hemp seeds, linseed, and dates are ready for the food processor.
Step 2: Blending of Nuts and Seeds
Next, blend your mixed nuts, hemp seeds, and linseed in a food processor until they form a coarse flour-like texture.
Step 3: Blending of Dates
Blend your dates in the food processor until they form a sticky paste.
Step 4: Mixing Ingredients
Combine the nut mixture, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt in the food processor with the date paste. Blend until the mixture is well combined and has a fudgy consistency. Then, place it in the fridge for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Forming Protein Balls
After the mixture has chilled, roll it into bite-sized balls.
Step 6: Adding Peanut Butter
Create a hollow center in each ball and fill it with smooth peanut butter. Seal the opening by rolling the ball between your hands.
Step 7: Coating Protein Balls
Optionally, partially dip the balls in melted dark chocolate and then roll them in crushed peanuts for an extra layer of crunchy flavour.
Step 8: Chilling Protein Balls
Finally, chill the balls in the fridge before serving and enjoy these tasty, little protein treats!
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🍽️ Serving
Serve the protein balls as a quick snack or a dessert. Enjoy them with a cup of Iced Vanilla Latte or Matcha tea. These treats are perfect for a midday energy boost or an after-dinner indulgence!
❄️ Storage
If you have any leftovers of these delicious protein balls, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Enjoy them straight from the fridge for a refreshing snack or let them settle at room temperature for a little bit before digging in.
They also freeze well for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the protein balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or an airtight container. To enjoy them, thaw them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about 30 minutes before snacking.
💡 Expert Tips & Tricks
When stuffing the balls with peanut butter, it might be easier to freeze the peanut butter in small portions beforehand. This way, you can simply insert a frozen peanut butter piece into each ball.
If you’ve tried and loved this recipe, I would love for you to leave a star rating and short review at the bottom of this recipe post ❤️
🔜 Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like some of my other protein-packed, vegan snack recipes! Check out these recipes for Matcha Energy Balls and Turmeric Energy Balls for more delicious and healthy treat ideas.
Here's a handy recipe card that you can print out and keep in your kitchen for easy reference:
📖 Recipe Card
Vegan Snickers Protein Balls
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 Refrigerator
- Measuring spoons
- 1 Spoon or Piping Bag for filling the protein balls
- 1 Stove or Microwave for melting the dark chocolate
- 1 mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw, soft dates (200g) pitted
- 1 cup mixed nuts (170g) e.g. cashews, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts
- 3 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoon linseeds
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter (125g, 4.4 oz) for the filling
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate (80g, 2.8 oz) melted
- ½ cup crushed peanuts (65g) for coating
Instructions
- Ensure that your dates are pitted. The mixed nuts, hemp seeds, linseed, and dates should be ready for the food processor.
- Blend the mixed nuts, hemp seeds, and linseed in the food processor until they form a coarse, flour-like texture.
- Blend the dates in the food processor until they form a sticky paste.
- Combine the nut mixture, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt in the food processor with the date paste. Blend until the mixture is well combined and has a fudgy consistency. Place it in the fridge for 5 minutes.
- Roll the chilled mixture into bite-sized balls.
- Create a hollow center in each ball and fill it with smooth peanut butter. Seal the opening by rolling the ball between your hands.
- Partially dip the balls in melted dark chocolate and then roll them in crushed peanuts.
- Chill the balls in the fridge before serving.
Notes
- Nutritional information for reference only.
- Serving Suggestions: These protein balls are perfect for a quick snack or dessert. They pair well with a cup of coffee or tea for a midday energy boost or an after-dinner indulgence.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the protein balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container.
- Defrosting: If refrigerated, simply let them come to room temperature before enjoying. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
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