I loved making our Energy Balls and my family and Amber’s friends loved eating them so I decided to make Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls as well. These are a fantastic healthy snack too!
The Energy Balls are a very popular recipe on our site right now. This is one of those great recipes that you will want to have on hand. They take no time to roll into balls and are ready for future nibbling. Want another great healthy recipe try our Sesame Tahini Cookies.
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How to Make Protein Balls?
Protein balls are very easy to make with only a few ingredients that you can find in any grocery store like Medjool dates, cocoa powder, honey, unsweetened coconut, rolled oats, vanilla, and unsalted cashews.
Dates are one ingredient that I don’t use enough of. They make a great substitute for sugar as they have a natural sweetness and are a good binder for this recipe.
All the ingredients are whirled up in a food processor which makes the work very easy for you!
After they are whirled in the food processor they are an instant chocolatey goodness and now are so easy to work with.
When Should You Eat Protein Balls?
Literally any time would be great for these protein balls. They would be great in a lunch box, after a workout, or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Store some in the freezer for later or tuck them all in the fridge to eat up now!
Simple ingredients go into them. If you want them gluten-free just make sure your oats aren’t contaminated. A lot of companies that make oats also make other products that contain wheat.
If you want to take these to school and have nut allergy issues just omit the nuts!
I love dates, and they are full of protein, even more than an avocado. In this recipe, though, you taste mainly chocolate.
Rich, dark, delicious chocolate but the dates and honey add the sweetness. Look how chocolatey and fudgy they are. I want to pop one right away, they are so good.
I love it when something healthy tastes this good! If you are hankering for a chocolate fix these are just perfect.
These could be added to a plate full of decadent treats too and offer up a little healthier choice. They don’t contain any peanut products, almond butter or other nut butter, or natural peanut butter but they do have cashews. If that is an allergy issue then just remove those from the mix.
This is also very easy to make as all the ingredients go into a large bowl of a food processor, you whirl them up and then you roll in coconut. I also love that they are a no-bake recipe!
What is a Healthy Chocolate Snack?
A healthy chocolate snack is these delicious protein balls. These balls don’t have a lot of crazy ingredients that you may never use again. Everything in them is pretty common and your pantry may have all the items you need already!!
With ingredients like Medjool dates, cocoa powder, honey, shredded coconut, rolled oats, vanilla extract, and cashew nuts these energy bites make for healthy snacking. You could even add flax seeds to the mix.
You could substitute maple syrup or agave syrup for the honey if you want to change that up.
Are Energy Balls Good for You?
Energy balls are usually filled with healthy fats, fiber, and protein, making them an excellent, healthy on-the-go snack! To get an even higher protein from these little balls you can also add in a protein powder.
They have chocolate protein powders now. You may have to add less cocoa powder to get the right consistency.
How Can I Satisfy My Sweet Tooth Without Sugar?
This treat is a great way to satisfy that sweet tooth. The sweetness in this recipe is from the dates plus the honey; there is no added sugar.
You could also use a stevia-like sweetener if you want to reduce the calories but keep it natural instead of honey.
For this recipe though I would avoid white or brown sugar completely. I am craving one of these again just from looking at the pictures!! Enjoy!!
Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates pitted (about 10 large)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup medium desiccated unsweetened coconut plus more for rolling
- 1/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted cashews
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and whirl until the mixture starts to pull together. Roll into balls and roll in additional coconut. Store in a tight sealed container in the fridge or freezer.
Comments & Reviews
Allie says
These sound great but it’s unfortunate that they’re labeled “protein” balls when there is almost no protein from the ingredients you listed. Why not include protein powder in the recipe? Otherwise, these are just chocolate coconut balls. Still delicious sounding…but accurate.
Tara Noland says
I mention that you can add protein powder in the post. These are a natural protein ball without adding it in but no one says you can’t!!
Tammie Scott says
This are fantastic! Added 1/4 cup peanut butter. Love that they’re not to sweet!
Tara Noland says
My daughter loves these, peanut butter would be a good addition too!
Francine says
Absolutely Yum!!
Made them yesterday and my 2 years old son is addicted. Our new favorite snack and will be making more tomorrow.
Tara Noland says
These have been very popular on our site. I am so glad you and your son love them!! Thank you for taking the time to tell me.
Lisa L Griffin says
These make the perfect snack! Thank you
Daniel says
Judging by the name “protein balls” shouldn’t these yield more than 1 gram of protein per serving?
Tara Noland says
You can add protein powder to up the protein if you like. A lot of other recipes may have more protein but you will also get more fat and sugar.
Tara Noland says
Also I think they are more like 1.86 grams of protein for a small ball, so 2 gms of protein and serving size would be more than one.
Molly says
They look great. Just wondering why there are two separate entries for desiccated coconut, 100g and 50g? Is the coconut just for rolling in?
Tara Noland says
I put in 1 cup of coconut and then had extra for rolling in.
Sue says
This is the best recipe! Thank you! I saw another post from Australia – just use a packet of normal dry dates from Woolworths and change the honey to half a cup (add water if still looks too dry and doesn’t become a dough). Such a great, tasty recipe and love the inclusion of oats and cashews. They are in my daughter’s lunchbox and in my bag for after the gym – a win win! Thanks again, great blog!
Tara Noland says
They seem to be very popular, so glad you liked them!! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and tell me too.
Oksana says
Mine came out super sweet! I’m not sure why, I followed the recipe as stated. I didn’t have cashews so I subbed in almonds and pumpkin seeds. I did add agave instead of honey, could this be reason why?
Tara Noland says
It must be the agave, cut back on that next time. Your dates maybe really sweet too. Some are sweeter than others.
Nigel says
I tried thesw but found it difficult for the mixture to combine, it was super crumbly. Any tips?
Tara Noland says
Were your dates old or dry? You could add in a bit more honey to get them sticking together.
Nigel says
I didn’t actually use dates because I couldn’t find the right ones in Australia. Any substitutes?
Tara Noland says
That would be your issue for sure. You could try raisins after soaking them in hot water. If you can find any dates though that would work the best. The Medjool have a wonderful caramel flavor so they are the best but others would do.
Steph says
I followed the recipe and found that it was too crumbly as well. I added in 1 TBSP of sunflower seed butter and it stuck together great after that. It did change the taste a bit.
Rebekah Watkins says
Hi I love the idea and the recipe, but why do people rabble on and put up heaps of photos of the same thing on Pinterest? I don’t enjoy scrolling for pages and pages to get to the recipe and usually don’t use Pinterest for this very reason but persisted for this one. Can you tell me?
Tara Noland says
Sorry, not sure what you are saying. This is my blog post not Pinterest??? I also don’t believe I am rambling (rabble?) and giving pertinent information on the recipe that I am offering. Blogs just aren’t a recipe site.
Coco says
Tara these look super delicious! I would love to try them out, please could you add the nutritional facts for these.
Tara Noland says
Hi Coco, I am just in the process of changing over to a new recipe card. It is in the works to have nutritional information included. Hopefully we will have this soon.
Hotmail password says
very good. Thank you for sharing!
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very good. Thank you for sharing!
Shannon says
Made them with the exception of toasted coconut, walnuts and i shaved 50% coaco bar. Super easy and yummy. No oats either. Thank you for a great recipe.
sara says
Being a mom to a messy eater is not going to be easy anyways. thats when i started searching for new recipes to try. Thanks, Tara, the protein balls are just perfect to try on my kids. I like the idea of adding dates for added sweetness. thanks once again.
Tara Noland says
You are very welcome, enjoy!!
lenny face says
Yummy… It’s absolutely delicious! I will make for my child
Tara Noland says
Enjoy Lenny!
Michele Brosius says
You had me at no-bake. I am always looking for protein snacks I can take on the go. I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thanks
Dawn Lopez says
I’m always looking for delicious protein recipes! These would be great for an after workout snack.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
These look amazing! I’m totally going to try these this weekend! I am amazed at the rich sweetness that dates add to recipes. When I make chili, I either use dates or prunes for an added hint of sweetness!
Tara Noland says
That is a cool idea, would have never thought of that using prunes or dates.
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy! These protein balls are just perfect for a great start of the day, Tara. Plus, I love such bites after a hard workout. All in all, a perfect treat recipe which I can’t wait to try!